The Immoral Bible: Approaches to Biblical Ethics

Description

Eryl W. Davies discusses the ethically problematic passages of the Hebrew Bible and the way scholars have addressed aspects of the bible generally regarded as offensive and unacceptable.

Eryl W. Davies is Professor Emeritus of Hebrew Bible at Bangor University, UK. His previous publications include Prophecy and Ethics: Isaiah and the Ethical Traditions of Israel (1981); a commentary on Numbers in the New Century Bible Commentary Series, and The Dissenting Reader: Feminist Approaches to the Hebrew Bible (2003)

Dr Davies sets out clear and well argued chapters looking at the main reasons proposed which can explain why the Christian Church has retained the Old Testament (and difficult parts of the New) in its Bible, both for private and public reading. The freshness and special value of Dr Davies's contribution lies in considering these approaches overall and subjecting each of them to criticism and appraisal. Here the inquiring reader has a first-rate guidebook to the explanations which have been, and are being, explored to account for this situation. This is a book to read and think about and it shows clearly that, like all great world literature, the Bible should be read with intelligence and care. I rate this to be a 'must read' book for the serious student, not least for those who believe they have found a sufficient explanation for evident difficulties. It deals with ways or reading ancient texts and provides the inquirer with serious and accessible guidelines to a situation that matters greatly for the upholding of spiritual and moral values in our contemporary world. -- R.E. Clements, Emeritus Professor of Old Testament Studies, King's College, University of London, UK. Eryl Davies not only confronts one of the major moral problems presented by the Hebrew Bible but also offers a lucid analysis of the ways in which scholars have tried to deal with it. Clear-headed and refreshing, this book will be an ideal text-book for courses on biblical ethics. -- John J. Collins, Holmes Professor of Old Testament, Yale Divinity School, New Haven, USA. It is no secret that the Old Testament contains passages and sentiments that are morally problematic, and attention has been drawn to this fact by the recent activity of militant atheists. In this timely book Eryl Davies takes as a reference point the account of the slaughter of the Canaanites by Joshua, and shows how approaches such as cultural relativism and methods such as canonical criticism and reader-response criticism have treated the passage. The result is both an informative introduction to the use of the Bible as well as to the methods that determine its modern study. -- J. W. Rogerson, Professor of Biblical Studies Emeritus, University of Sheffield, UK. Eryl W. Davies is one of the keen observers of interpretive method in the contemporary study of the Hebrew Bible. In this eminently readable volume, he turns his perceptive eye to ethically problematic texts, especially those tied to "holy war." This volume will help those who study these texts see the implications of their approaches and more carefully craft their interpretive efforts. The concluding chapter articulates nicely a constructive approach to the place of readers in the task of interpretation. Both scholars and students will find much in The Immoral Bible to aid their work. It is a model of how attention to method can actually assist in the task of interpretation. -- W. H. Bellinger, Jr., Chair, Department of Religion W. Marshall and Lulie Craig Chairholder in Bible, Baylor University, TX USA. The Immoral Bible is academic - though totally accessible... There is much in this book to set everyone thinking. * goodbookstall.org.uk * Davies takes all the strategies seriously and his survey will be of as much value to the general reader as to the specialist. * The Catholic Herald * The beauty of the book lies in the subtlety of both structure and substance...there is much here that deserves to be aired in the pulpit... a refreshing and timely addition to any good preaching library. * Church Times * Eryl's writing is both passionate and scintillating. * The Bible Today * This volume would serve as an excellent introduction not only to the Canaanite conquest narratives, but also to the broader subject of Old Testament methodology. -- Nicholas R. Werse, Baylor University * Studies in Religion *