Until the modern era, monarchs were understood to be supported by the power of God; they were, in fact, in some cases thought to be gods themselves. The Bible has often been misinterpreted to encourage such oppressive values. Robert Gnuse, however, argues that the Bible is not a tyrannical text. Rather than displaying the lofty, divine status of kings, the Bible portrays them as human and thus serves as a powerful text for liberation from tyranny and equality for al people. By considering the passages about kings and kingship, Gnuse highlights the liberating message of the Bible and applies that message to today's world. If we attend to these stories of freedom, we will work toward ending political abuses and foster liberation and equality.

No Tolerance for Tyrants: The Biblical Assault on Kings and Kingship

Religion & Spirituality

Gnuse, Robert

Christian Books & Bibles

Liturgical Press

This work discusses the ongoing debate concerning the notion of salvation history in the Hebrew Bible and its relation to the ancient world. The author also proposes new directions in our present understanding of salvation history and its importance for the Israelite ethos. Contents: The Concept of Salvation; Advocates of Salvation History Theology; The Critical Theological Response; Ancient Near Eastern and Biblical Theology; Salvation History Themes in the Ancient Near East; Continuity of Basic Religious Values between Israel and the Ancient Near East; The Continuing Debate over Israel's Concept of Salvation History; Reconstruction of a Salvation History Model; Impetus for Change; General Conclusions. Co-published with the College Theology Society.

Heilsgeschichte as a Model for Biblical Theology

University Press of America

Heilsgeschichte as a Model for Biblical Theology: The Debate Concerning the Uniqueness and Significance of Israel's Worldview

The biblical injunction not to steal is often used to defend the notion of inviolable private property and the right to accumulate great wealth. The author demonstrates that this is a misuse of the biblical text and that, on the contrary, the commandment's purpose was to guarantee everyone's right to basic necessities of life. ""This book purports to be the exposition of a single commandment. It is that. But beyond that, it is a programmatic statement about how the Bible speaks about wealth, power, community, and responsibility. Without engaging in ideological extremity, the author shows how serious social criticism can illuminate scripture and rescue us from distortions of the text because of our own economic commitments. The outcome of the study is to show how the prohibition of stealing is not a defense of private property (as commonly read) but a warning against property management that diminishes community: that is, the text turns against our preferred reading. ""It takes no great sensitivity to see that this subject and this treatment of it have urgency for us, even though the author makes no special effort at relevance. As Gnuse observes, 'The Israelite ethos was formed in the crucible of slavery of Egypt and of conflict in Canaan.' Our interpretive task is to see how this text continues to have social energy in a matrix of affluence and greed. ""The book is enhanced by a full bibliography and a brief extension of Old Testament trajectories into church tradition."" Walter Brueggemann, Eden Theological Seminary ""You Shall Not Steal is a thorough and discerning analysis of the decalogue commandment against stealing. Gnuse shows its radical character in the ancient Near Eastern world, traces its implications in later biblical literature and thought, and has sound observations about the continuing import of this commandment on the contemporary scene."" Walter Harrelson, The Divinity School, Vanderbilt University ""This book raises the central issue of biblical justice for all Christians. For the western mind justice is perceived as incompatible with compassion. But biblical justice overturns this notion; it is both fairness and compassion. Gnuse's efforts to develop the biblical understanding of justice are bound to prove fruitful for all concerned Christians."" Patrick D. Sheedy, JD, Director of Social Action, Social Welfare Department, Minnesota Catholic Conference Robert Gnuse is the James C. Carter, SJ/Bank One Distinguished Professor of the Humanities in the Religious Studies Department at Loyola University New Orleans. He is the author of 12 books and approximately 80 articles in the field of biblical studies.

You Shall Not Steal: Community and Property in the Biblical Tradition

Orbis Books

The biblical injunction not to steal is often used to defend the notion of inviolable private property and the right to accumulate great wealth. The author demonstrates that this is a misuse of the biblical text and that, on the contrary, the commandment's purpose was to guarantee everyone's right to basic necessities of life.

Wipf and Stock

Misunderstood Stories: Theological Commentary on Genesis 1-11

Narratives in Genesis 1-11 have been misunderstood in many ways, but they especially have been used to oppress women and African Americans and to present a God of wrath and judgment. This commentary seeks to explain the real message behind those narratives, which is one that speaks of human dignity and equality, that affirms monotheism, that criticizes kings and tyrants, that declares our oneness with the animal realm and nature, and that proclaims a powerful message of divine grace with a deity personally involved in the human world. Humor may also be found in some of these stories. These biblical passages can be best explicated by close reading as well as by knowledge of comparable stories from the ancient Near East and from the classical world, and finally by knowledge of the concomitant social and political values connected with those other myths and narratives.

Cascade Books

The Bible and the Environment: A Cry for Justice

Generis Publishing

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Gnuse, Robert. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Gnuse, Robert

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Gnuse, Robert. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

No Tolerance for Tyrants: The Biblical Assault on Kings and Kingship

Heilsgeschichte as a Model for Biblical Theology

Heilsgeschichte as a Model for Biblical Theology: The Debate Concerning the Uniqueness and Significance of Israel's Worldview

You Shall Not Steal: Community and Property in the Biblical Tradition

You Shall Not Steal: Community and Property in the Biblical Tradition

Misunderstood Stories: Theological Commentary on Genesis 1-11

The Bible and the Environment: A Cry for Justice