Synopses & Reviews
The goal of the work is a heuristic reading strategy for a modern reader to engage with YHWH's threats against Israel in Deuteronomy. This goal is accomplished in three steps. First, the biblical text is considered through close reading to discern the logic of YHWH's threats: what motivates the threats, what form the threats take, and what effect the threats expect to produce. Second, a modern analogy is sought that most helpfully matches the structure and logic observed in the biblical text. A number of common modern analogies for the divine-human relationship (e.g., parent-child, master-slave, husband-wife) are deemed unhelpful because they cannot support the features of the biblical pattern. However, the threats of the modern state against those who threaten it are found to bear significant resemblance. Finally, this analogy is developed for each of several significant passages of Deuteronomy.
In order to justify and substantiate the analogy, this book examines the religious and political background surrounding both Deuteronomy and the modern state through historical reflection. Since there are significant differences between the religio-political situations, sociological perspectives are used to provide patterns that can be applied within both the ancient and modern contexts.
Finally, although the focus of the work is on establishing an analogy between YHWH's threats and those of the modern state, the book dedicates one chapter to discussing dis-analogous features to avoid over-emphasizing the similarity between the two.
Synopsis
This book is a heuristic reading strategy for a modern reader to engage with YHWH's threats against Israel in Deuter
Synopsis
The goal of the work is a heuristic reading strategy for a modern reader to engage with YHWH's threats against Israel in Deuteronomy. This goal is accomplished in three steps. First, the biblical text is considered through close reading to discern the logic of YHWH's threats: what motivates the threats, what form the threats take, and what effect the threats expect to produce. Second, a modern analogy is sought that most helpfully matches the structure and logic observed in the biblical text. A number of common modern analogies for the divine-human relationship (e.g., parent-child, master-slave, husband-wife) are deemed unhelpful because they cannot support the features of the biblical pattern. However, the threats of the modern state against those who threaten it are found to bear significant resemblance. Finally, this analogy is developed for each of several significant passages of Deuteronomy.
In order to justify and substantiate the analogy, this book examines the religious and political background surrounding both Deuteronomy and the modern state through historical reflection. Since there are significant differences between the religio-political situations, sociological perspectives are used to provide patterns that can be applied within both the ancient and modern contexts.
Finally, although the focus of the work is on establishing an analogy between YHWH's threats and those of the modern state, the book dedicates one chapter to discussing dis-analogous features to avoid over-emphasizing the similarity between the two.
Synopsis
The goal of the work is a heuristic reading strategy for a modern reader to engage with YHWH's threats against Israel in Deuteronomy. This goal is accomplished in three steps. First, the biblical text is considered through close reading to discern the logic of YHWH's threats: what motivates the threats, what form the threats take, and what effect the threats expect to produce. Second, a modern analogy is sought that most helpfully matches the structure and logic observed in the biblical text. A number of common modern analogies for the divine-human relationship (e.g., parent-child, master-slave, husband-wife) are deemed unhelpful because they cannot support the features of the biblical pattern. However, the threats of the modern state against those who threaten it are found to bear significant resemblance. Finally, this analogy is developed for each of several significant passages of Deuteronomy.
In order to justify and substantiate the analogy, this book examines the religious and political background surrounding both Deuteronomy and the modern state through historical reflection. Since there are significant differences between the religio-political situations, sociological perspectives are used to provide patterns that can be applied within both the ancient and modern contexts.
Finally, although the focus of the work is on establishing an analogy between YHWH's threats and those of the modern state, the book dedicates one chapter to discussing dis-analogous features to avoid over-emphasizing the similarity between the two.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. YHWH's Violence: The Problem and Approaches Interpretive Approaches My Scope My Approach Summary of Argument and ContributionChapter 2. Introductory Considerations Religion and Politics in the Modern World Religion and Politics in Deuteronomy Other Gods, Divine Anger, and DestructionChapter 3. The Basic Threat: Idolatry and Destruction Introduction: The Alien Category of Idolatry Deuteronomy 9-10: The Golden Calf The Golden Calf Incident as National Myth Idolatry and TreasonChapter 4. Destruction and Restoration as Coercion Deuteronomy 4: Loyalty to YHWH Deuteronomy 32: A Song of Disloyalty Freedom and Coercion in the Ancient and Modern Worlds Chapter 5. Rebellion: The Individual and the Nation Introduction Deuteronomy 13: Incitement to Idolatry The Anger of YHWH: National and Individual Modern Response to Rebellion on Different Scales ConclusionChapter 6. The Horrors of Destruction Deuteronomy 28: The Covenant Curses Historical and Canonical Considerations Understanding the Curses Modern Curses in WarfareChapter 7. The Politics of YHWH and "Other Gods" Introduction Kings and Gods in Israel's Surrounding Cultures Deuteronomy 17: The Politics of YHWH The Politics of "Other Gods" What are YHWH's People to Do? The Modern Nation-State and the "Other Gods"Chapter 8. ConclusionsBibliography