In this eagerly awaited book; political theorist Michael Walzer reports his findings after decades of thinking about the politics of the Hebrew Bible. Attentive to nuance while engagingly straightforward; Walzer examines the laws; the histories; the prophecies; and the wisdom of the ancient biblical writers and discusses their views on such central political questions as justice; hierarchy; war; the authority of kings and priests; and the experience of exile.Because there are many biblical writers with differing views; pluralism is a central feature of biblical politics. Yet pluralism; Walzer observes; is never explicitly defended in the Bible; indeed; it couldn’t be defended since God’s word had to be as singular as God himself. Yet different political regimes are described in the biblical texts; and there are conflicting political arguments—and also a recurrent anti-political argument: if you have faith in God; you have no need for strong institutions; prudent leaders; or reformist policies. At the same time; however; in the books of law and prophecy; the people of Israel are called upon to overcome oppression and “let justice well up like water; righteousness like an unfailing stream.â€
#1307907 in Books 2010-10-12Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.38 x 6.13l; 1.30 #File Name: 0300166281528 pages
Review
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful. Brilliant bookBy James D. WilliamsAugustine is one of the more interesting figures of late antiquity. His exploration of Scriptures and theology was a significant factor in developing Christian doctrine. In the process; he changed the nature of rhetoric; shifting its focus from oratory to textual exegesis; what George Kennedy called "secondary rhetoric." His application of allegoresis to biblical interpretation laid the foundation for modern literary hermeneutics; and his CONFESSIONS provided a new model for autobiography.A significant factor in the rise of early Christianity was the movement's hostility toward Jews; who--owing to the influence of Greek philosophy--were viewed as followers of the subordinate; "fleshly" God of the Old Testament and whose innate obstinance would not allow them to accept the True God; who existed outside the realm of the flesh.Fredriksen examines how Augustine came to reject this view and to argue that the Jewish God and the Christian God were one and the same. In doing so; Augustine fundamentally altered the relationship between Christianity and Judaism and one might argue saved Jews from the widespread persecution that Christians carried out against all other religious groups between the 4th and 6th centuries.Fredriksen is a first-rate scholar and a brilliant writer. Her book is beautifully written; thoroughly researched and documented; a sheer joy to read; and it certainly should be required reading for anyone interested in Augustine. Arguably; it is the best book written on Augustine since Peter Brown's classic AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO.7 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Dr. FournierWho would think that a scholarly book on such a seemingly arcane topic could be so thoroughly enjoyable! With the right balance of scholarship; detail and humor; Paula Fredriksen makes the classical era of Greco-Roman learning come alive; while leading readers through the evolution of thought on many philosophical and theological issues; some of which haunt us to this day. In the process; the personalities of the principles - St. Augustine the erudite scholar; St. Paul; the conflicted Jew; St Jerome; "the diva" (as the author terms him) - come shining through. A "must-read" for students of philosophy; theology and history; as well as general readers who wish to trace the evolving polytheism to monotheism; Paganism; Judaism and Christianity.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Worth a readBy EverettI have only completed reading a small portion of this book; but so far it is very good and sheds light on the background of the Gospels.
