Description
Book SynopsisIn In the Name of God biblical scholars and historians begin the exciting work of deconstructing British and Spanish imperial usage of the Bible as well as the use of the Bible to counteract imperialism. Six essays explore the intersections of political movements and biblical exegesis. Individual contributions examine English political theorists' use of the Bible in the context of secularisation, analyse the theological discussion of discoveries in the New World in a context of fraught Jewish-Christian relations in Europe and dissect millennarian preaching in the lead up to the Crimean War. Others investigate the anti-imperialist use of the Bible in southern Africa, compare Spanish and British biblicisation techniques and trace the effects of biblically-rooted articulations of nationalism on the development of Hinduism's relationship to the Vedas. Contributors include: Yvonne Sherwood, Ana Valdez, Mark Somos, Andrew Mein, Hendrik Bosman and Hugh Pyper.
Trade Review"I find this volume to be wonderfully challenging of overly repeated stereotypes in “postcolonial” discussions. There is a general motif of “not so fast” running through this entire volume that is challenging and refreshing. Whether or not one agrees with the arguments put forward—and I suspect there will be considerable debate—this volume succeeds in prodding thought and that, one hopes, will generate more discussion. We owe a great deal of thanks to the writers and editors of this important book." Daniel L. Smith-Christopher, Loyola Marymount University
