Description
Book SynopsisFrom the PrologueIn invoking the metaphor of story, we have begun to build the case for an under- standing of political process that reclaims the historical dimension of nation- hood and the essential role of memory in fostering a vibrant and just society while at the same time taking
Trade Review"One of America's pre-eminent biblical theologians provides a powerful and compelling picture of American history through the lens of the Bible and theology. But Hanson does not stop with his rich depiction of American religious history. Drawing on years of study, he delves even more deeply into the Bible to lay out what it has to say about politics in the human community. Those who care about American history will want to read this book. So will all those who believe our political life can--and should--be informed by the stories and teaching of the Bible. For learning how we think and how we should think about these matters, the prologue and epilogue alone are worth the price of the book." --Patrick D. Miller, Charles T. Haley Professor of Old Testament Theology Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary "Paul Hanson is a world class biblical scholar who is fully aware of both the use and the misuse of the Bible that have continued for many years. Here he takes a steady and clear look at Scripture itself and at its applications and delivers a wise and balanced assessment in an engaging readable style. I plan to assign this book in my classes and recommend it to specialists and non-specialists alike." --Harvey Cox, Hollis Research Professor of Divinity, Harvard University
Table of ContentsPreface
Prologue: Story, Identity, and Making Sense of the Bible
PART 1: A HISTORICAL RETROSPECTIVE ON THE RELATION BETWEEN THE BIBLE AND POLITICS IN THE UNITED STATES
Introduction
1 The Theocratic Model of the Puritans
2 The Challenge of the Prophetic-Dialectical Model
3 The Revolutionary Period and the Lure of the Apocalyptic Model
4 Church and State in the Founding Documents
5 The Church-State Partnership of the Antebellum Years
6 The Gilded Age: The Gospel of Wealth and the Social Gospel
7 Twentieth-Century Challenges
8 The Twenty-First Century's Perilous Debut
PART 2: POLITICS IN THE BIBLE
9 Defining a Suitable Interpretive Method
10 Charismatic Rule: Israel's First Polity
11 Monarchy: “Like the Other Nations�
12 Prophetic Politics
13 The Politics of Amos: Idolatrous Nationalism and the Collapse of Moral Leadership
14 The Politics of Hosea: Moral Bankruptcy and Civil Chaos
15 Isaiah: The Majesty of the Holy One as the Nation's Sole Foundation
16 Jeremiah: The Suffering Prophet
17 Ezekiel: Calamity, Ritual Cleansing, and Restoration
18 Isaiah 40â€"55: Exile and the Renewal of Hope
19 Haggai and Zechariah: A Temple-Centered Vision of Restoration
20 The Jewish Commonwealth and a Politics of Accommodation
21 Isaiah 24â€"27, 56â€"66; Ezekiel 38â€"39; Zechariah 9â€"14; Malachi: Dissent and the Dawning of Apocalyptic Politics
22 Sapiential Politics in Proverbs, Sirach, Job, and Ecclesiastes
23 The Apocalyptic Politics of the Book of Daniel and the Dead Sea Scrolls
24 Roman Occupation and Jewish Political Responses
25 The Politics of the New Testament
26 The Politics of Jesus
27 The Politics of the Apostle Paul
28 The Church Accommodates Itself to a World Not About to End
29 The Book of Revelation: A Persecuted Community Seeks Shelter in an Apocalyptic Vision
30 The Politics of the Four Gospels and Acts of the Apostles
Epilogue: What Is the Bible's Message for Today?
Index of Scripture and Other Ancient Sources
Index of Subjects
