In the Whirlwind: God and Humanity in Conflict

God deserves obedience simply because he’s God—or does he? Inspired by a passion for biblical as well as constitutional scholarship, in this bold exploration Yale Law Professor Robert A. Burt conceptualizes the political theory of the Hebrew and Christian Bibles. God’s authority as expressed in thes...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Burt, Robert A. 1939-2015 (Author)
Format: Electronic Book
Language:English
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Published: Cambridge, Mass. [u.a.] Harvard Univ. Press 2012
Berlin [u.a.] De Gruyter 2012
In:Year: 2012
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Bible / God / Righteousness / Obedience
B Christianity / Politics / Justice / Judaism
Further subjects:B God Righteousness
B Andere Religionen
B Christianity and politics
B God Omnipotence
B God (Christianity) Righteousness
B God (Judaism) Righteousness
B Judaism and politics
B PHILOSOPHY / Religious
B Bible Criticism, interpretation, etc
B Justice Biblical teaching
B God Goodness
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Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
Description
Summary:God deserves obedience simply because he’s God—or does he? Inspired by a passion for biblical as well as constitutional scholarship, in this bold exploration Yale Law Professor Robert A. Burt conceptualizes the political theory of the Hebrew and Christian Bibles. God’s authority as expressed in these accounts is not a given. It is no less inherently problematic and in need of justification than the legitimacy of secular government. In recounting the rich narratives of key biblical figures—from Adam and Eve to Noah, Cain, Abraham, Moses, Job, and Jesus—In the Whirlwind paints a surprising picture of the ambivalent, mutually dependent relationship between God and his peoples. Taking the Hebrew and Christian Bibles as a unified whole, Burt traces God’s relationship with humanity as it evolves from complete harmony at the outset to continual struggle. In almost every case, God insists on unconditional obedience, while humanity withholds submission and holds God accountable for his promises.Contemporary political theory aims for perfect justice. The Bible, Burt shows, does not make this assumption. Justice in the biblical account is an imperfect process grounded in human—and divine—limitation. Burt suggests that we consider the lessons of this tension as we try to negotiate the power struggles within secular governments, and also the conflicts roiling our public and private lives.
In this bold exploration of the political theory of the Hebrew and Christian Bibles, Burt shows that God’s authority is no less inherently problematic and in need of justification than the legitimacy of secular government. He paints a surprising picture of the ambivalent, mutually dependent relationship between God and his peoples.
ISBN:0674064879
Access:Restricted Access
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.4159/harvard.9780674064874