Robert Karl Gnuse's Books

No Other Gods

Emergent Monotheism in Israel

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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No Other Gods

Emergent Monotheism in Israel

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

This is the first full-scale assessment of the theological, social and ideational implications of our new understandings of ancient Israel's social and religious development. Scholars now stress the gradual emergence of Israel out of the culture of ancient Palestine and the surrounding ancient Near East rather than contrast Israel with the ancient world. Our new paradigms stress the ongoing and unfinished nature of the monotheistic 'revolution', which is indeed still in process today. Gnuse takes a further bold step in setting the emergence of monotheism in a wider intellectual context: he argues brilliantly that the interpretation of Israel's development as both an evolutionary and revolutionary process corresponds to categories of contemporary evolutionary thought in the biological and palaeontological sciences (Punctuated Equilibrium).

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394

Publisher

A&C Black

Published Date

ISBN 10

0567374157

ISBN 13

9780567374158

The Persian Shepherd Boy and Other Tales

Sermon Stories for the Modern Era

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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The Persian Shepherd Boy and Other Tales

Sermon Stories for the Modern Era

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

Herein you will find a collection of sermon stories that speak to the modern era with fresh insights and occasional humor. Many of them are the personal experiences of the collector who brought them together. Each narrative is paired with an appropriate biblical text to elicit insight and some homiletical commentary is also provided. The stories are separated into historical memories, folklore, and fables. Some narratives come from the Jewish tradition, a source that we Christians too seldom consider. May you find some to be heartwarming, others pointed in meaning, and still others evoking new insights.

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Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 13

9798385222445

Misunderstood Stories

Theological Commentary on Genesis 1–11

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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Misunderstood Stories

Theological Commentary on Genesis 1–11

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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.

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295

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Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

1630871575

ISBN 13

9781630871574

Hellenism and the Primary History

The Imprint of Greek Sources in Genesis - 2 Kings

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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Hellenism and the Primary History

The Imprint of Greek Sources in Genesis - 2 Kings

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

This collection of essays seeks to demonstrate that many biblical authors deliberately used Classical and Hellenistic Greek texts for inspiration when crafting many of the narratives in the Primary History. Through detailed analysis of the text, Gnuse contends that there are numerous examples of clear influence from late classical and Hellenistic literature. Deconstructing the biblical and Greek works in parallel, he argues that there are too many similarities in basic theme, meaning, and detail, for them to be accounted for by coincidence or shared ancient tropes. Using this evidence, he suggests that although much of the text may originate from the Persian period, large parts of its final form likely date from the Hellenistic era. With the help of an original introduction and final chapter, Gnuse pulls his essays together into a coherent collection for the first time. The resultant volume offers a valuable resource for anyone working on the dating of the Hebrew Bible, as well as those working on Hellenism in the ancient Levant more broadly.

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152

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Routledge

Published Date

ISBN 10

1000164926

ISBN 13

9781000164923

Trajectories of Justice

What the Bible Says about Slaves, Women, and Homosexuality

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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Trajectories of Justice

What the Bible Says about Slaves, Women, and Homosexuality

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

The Bible proclaims a message of liberation. Though the Bible arose in an age when slavery and patriarchalism permeated society, the biblical authors sought to elevate the rights of slaves, the poor, and women. Their attempts to elevate the oppressed setin motion a trajectory of evolution, which we should still be advancing today. Critics of the Bible declare that it accepts slavery and the subordination of women, but they fail to understand the biblical texts in their historical context. For their age the biblical authors were advanced in their understanding of human rights, and the democratic values we hold today actually resulted from their early attempts to affirm the dignity and rights of slaves and women. It is equally important that we critique those spokespersons of the church who quote the Bible literally but have lost sight of its historical context so that they might still subordinate women today. Such spokespersons also declare that the Bible condemns homosexuality. But a closer reading of the text discerns that those few passages that address same-sex relations actually condemn rape, ritual prostitution, and master-slave relations. To use the Bible to condemn people is to misuse the Bible.

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184

Publisher

Lutterworth Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0718844564

ISBN 13

9780718844561

The Persian Shepherd Boy and Other Tales

Sermon Stories for the Modern Era

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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The Persian Shepherd Boy and Other Tales

Sermon Stories for the Modern Era

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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Wipf and Stock Publishers

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ISBN 13

9798385222469

Misunderstood Stories

Theological Commentary on Genesis 1-11

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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Misunderstood Stories

Theological Commentary on Genesis 1-11

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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305

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Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

1625640072

ISBN 13

9781625640079

Heilsgeschichte as a Model for Biblical Theology

The Debate Concerning the Uniqueness and Significance of Israel's Worldview

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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Heilsgeschichte as a Model for Biblical Theology

The Debate Concerning the Uniqueness and Significance of Israel's Worldview

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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.

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196

Publisher

University Press of America

Published Date

ISBN 10

0819172464

ISBN 13

9780819172464

Monotheism and Social Justice

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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Monotheism and Social Justice

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

The rise of monotheistic religious faith in ancient Israel and post-exilic Judaism inspired the imperative for social justice on behalf of the poor and the oppressed. Though some authors have maintained that monotheism inspires tyranny, this author maintains that real monotheistic faith affirms justice and human equality. This can be evidenced by a consideration of the Old Testament prophets and Law. Especially with the law we may observe a progression in the attempt to provide increasing rights for the poor and the oppressed.

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130

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1009223283

ISBN 13

9781009223287

Dreams and Dream Reports in the Writings of Josephus

A Traditio-Historical Analysis

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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Dreams and Dream Reports in the Writings of Josephus

A Traditio-Historical Analysis

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

This volume evaluates the understanding of dreams and the form of dream reports in Josephus' writings, and it compares Josephan texts with ancient Near Eastern, biblical, and Hellenistic dream reports to discern Josephus' sources of literary inspiration and intellectual assumptions.

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340

Publisher

BRILL

Published Date

ISBN 10

9004106162

ISBN 13

9789004106161

Trajectories of Justice

What the Bible Says about Slaves, Women, and Homosexuality

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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Trajectories of Justice

What the Bible Says about Slaves, Women, and Homosexuality

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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184

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Lutterworth Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0718844564

ISBN 13

9780718844561

The Evolution of God

By: Robert Wright

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The Evolution of God

By: Robert Wright

In this sweeping narrative that takes us from the Stone Age to the Information Age, Robert Wright unveils an astonishing discovery: there is a hidden pattern that the great monotheistic faiths have followed as they have evolved. Through the prisms of archaeology, theology, and evolutionary psychology, Wright's findings overturn basic assumptions about Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and are sure to cause controversy. He explains why spirituality has a role today, and why science, contrary to conventional wisdom, affirms the validity of the religious quest. And this previously unrecognized evolutionary logic points not toward continued religious extremism, but future harmony. Nearly a decade in the making, The Evolution of God is a breathtaking re-examination of the past, and a visionary look forward.

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445

Publisher

Little, Brown

Published Date

ISBN 10

0316053279

ISBN 13

9780316053273

Hellenism and the Primary History

The Imprint of Greek Sources in Genesis - 2 Kings

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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Hellenism and the Primary History

The Imprint of Greek Sources in Genesis - 2 Kings

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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152

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Routledge

Published Date

ISBN 10

1000164926

ISBN 13

9781000164923

The Elohist

A Seventh-Century Theological Tradition

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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The Elohist

A Seventh-Century Theological Tradition

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

Though many Old Testament scholars prefer no longer to speak of the Elohist source in the Pentateuch, Gnuse seeks to defend the existence of this pentateuchal tradition by responding to scholarly critics, isolating texts belonging to the source and offering a theological assessment of these texts. Dream reports in ancient Near Eastern texts from the seventh and sixth centuries BCE bear striking familiarity with the biblical dream reports in the Elohist. Prophetic narratives in the books of Samuel and Kings appear to have inspired the subsequent creation of the Elohist narratives in the Pentateuch. Thus, Gnuse situates the Elohist tradition in the seventh century BCE after the fall of the state of Israel in the north in 722 BCE, which is a later date than scholars have attributed to this source in the past. Because of this setting the Elohist texts may be assessed differently than they have been in the past. The texts might have spoken to exiles from the northern state with themes that bespeak devotion to one God, hope of restoration, and absolute obedience to a transcendent deity who is revealed through dreams, fire, and prophets. The author also ponders what these texts say to our modern age.

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204

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Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

1498295428

ISBN 13

9781498295420

No Tolerance for Tyrants

The Biblical Assault on Kings and Kingship

By: Robert Gnuse

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No Tolerance for Tyrants

The Biblical Assault on Kings and Kingship

By: Robert Gnuse

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. Robert Gnuse, PhD, is the James C.Carter, SJ/Chase Distinguished Professor of the Humanities in the Religious Studies Department at Loyola University New Orleans. He is the author of numerous books and articles in the field of biblical studies.

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176

Publisher

Michael Glazier

Published Date

ISBN 10

0814657621

ISBN 13

9780814657621

You Shall Not Steal

Community and Property in the Biblical Tradition

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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You Shall Not Steal

Community and Property in the Biblical Tradition

By: Robert Karl Gnuse

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.

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