Description
Book SynopsisLike Spinoza in his "Theological-Political Treatise", Schweid helps us grasp the potential for seeing radically new messages in this oldest of books, the Bible. The American Founding Fathers realized that the Bible offers strong support for the doctrine of popular sovereignty. Socially, it offers a message of egalitarianism, especially in the provisions of the Jubilee. It is hardly an accident that two modern political movements found mottos ready at hand from the 25th chapter of "Leviticus": 'Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof' (from the Liberty Bell), and 'The land shall not be sold in perpetuity' (motto of the Jewish National Fund). More broadly, Schweid helps us to appreciate the broader message of the narrative of creation and settlement of the land in its ecumenical and planetary dimensions. The world is God's creation whose resources are to be deployed as necessary for the sustenance and needs - fulfilment of all people and all creatures equally - a message very much relevant to the ecological crisis facing us all at the present time.
Table of ContentsPreface. A Fresh Reading -- Freeing Ourselves of Old Stereotypes. The Complementarity of Law and Narrative. 1. The Law of the Kingdom of God. Exodus from Slavery to Freedom as a Legislative-Politcal Act: The Process of Formation and Establishment of the Kingdom of God in His People. Institutionalizing the Ideal of "Kingdom of God" in His People. The Return to Slavery and the Dilemma of the Difference between the Law of Slavery and the Law of Freedom. The Ideational Background for Realizing the Transition: What is the Difference between the Law of Slavery and the Law of Freedom? The Gradual Descent of the Kingdom of God from the Mythic to the Historical Plane: From Prophecy to Wisdom. The Idea of the Covenant and the Basic Values of the Law of Freedom and Justice. Judicial Justice as Covenantal Principle - Its General Application and the Concept of Truth. Social Justice as Fulfillment of the Vison of Creation. The Problem of Poverty and the Ethic of Neighborly Love. Statutory Law that Regenerates the Egalitarian Basis of Social Justice. The Structure of the Kingdom of Priests: The Problem of Authority and Cooperative Functioning of All the Powers of Government. Between Israel and the Nations. 2. Deuteronomy (the "Second Torah") - The Beginning of Renewal of the Written Torah as Oral Torah. The Difference between Moses' and Joshua's Leadership and the Perpetuity of Moses' Leadership in the People. Deuteronomy's Uniqueness as Embodiment of Moses' Leadership of the People. The Difference between Moses and Joshua. The Problem of Succession Continued. Deuteronomy as Oral Law. Legislative Innovations in Deuteronomy. The Transition in Deuteronomy from the Plane of myth to History. When and by Whom Was Deuteronomy Written? The Transition from the "Scribes" to the "Men of the Great Synagogue". 3. The Partnership of Man and Woman in the Law of Moses and the Prophets. Equality and Inequality of Persons in the Reciprocal Relation of Individuals and the Community. The Reciprocal Relation of Individual and Community. The Hierarchical Relation of Man and Woman. Man's Acquistion-Ownership of Woman. "Acquisition of Relationship" versus Acquisition of Property. How is the Husband's "Acquisition" of His Wife Expressed? Woman's Autonomy in the Light of the Torah's Legislation. The Difference Between the Wife's Status vis-a-vis Her Husband and Her Status as Mother vis-a-vis Her Children. The Myth of Mankind's Creation as a Couple in God's Image: Destiny, Sin and Redemption. 4. Universalism and Particularism - Openness to Foreign Cultures and Isolation from their Influence. Index.
