Bøger af Wesley Howard-Brook

In this sweeping and transformative approach to biblical interpretation, Wes Howard-Brook presents the Bible as a struggle between two competing "religions" not "Judaism" and "Christianity," but the "religion of creation" versus the "religion of empire." Howard-Brook demonstrates how, throughout the Hebrew scriptures, these two religions battled for the hearts and minds of the people in claiming radically divergent views of who YHWH is and what it means to be YHWH's people. In the New Testament, Jesus proclaimed and embodied one of these views--the "religion of creation"-- and denounced the "religion of empire." Though he was killed by the upholders of empire, his resurrection was the definitive vindication of the religion of creation. As a consequence, those who follow his path can accept no violence or domination toward people or creation in his name. While many recent scholars have studied the imperial context of the New Testament, this is the first book to trace this theme throughout the entire Bible. As such, it sets a challenge for the future of biblical studies, while also defining a new framework for radical discipleship in our time.

Confused by "end of the world" readings or put off by the dense and mysterious imagery, many readers hesitate to explore the Book of Revelation. Unveiling Empire offers a new entrée into this troubling and controversial book of the Bible by examining the roots and social purposes of apocalyptic literature and Revelations own use of traditional imagery. In this way the authors provide readers with the tools for deciphering the texts message--and its urgent applications for Christians today living amidst a new kind of "empire."