Title: Sex, war, and "sin" : humanity's path toward the city of a holy God /
Authors: Gailey, J. H.
Publisher: Wipf & Stock,
Year: 2012
Subjects: Bible. Criticism, interpretation, etc.; Ethics in the Bible.; Theology, Doctrinal.; Sin; Christianity
Abstract: "An examination of the Hebrew scriptures reveals the ethical situations in ancient Israel as a structural analysis, and exposes a covenantal triangle that features a dynamic of giving and receiving, taking and paying penalties, as a meme for human relationships. This can be applied to groups as well as individuals and is surprisingly applicable to life in the twenty-first century. Two senses of "Law"--natural scientific discoveries and the rules laid down by a divine creator--lead to frames for considering these covenantal relationships, and even the existence of "Sin." Are we bound to obey the rules laid down by God, or may we decide what is best for us?"--P. [4] of cover.
Contents: Part 1: Biological, cultural, and religious systems of life. Frames for the experiment of human life ; The biological family and its ancient variations ; Understanding sexual and social systems ; Discovering sexuality ; Covenants and sin ; Learning to drive, and-- -- Part 2: Sex and power relationships in some Israelite stories. Sin lurking at ancient doors ; A family misstep involving sex ; A childless widow and a lusty patriarch ; Samson's amorous adventures ; Hannah and the sons of Eli ; David's wives and his wars ; The rhythms of life and David's adultery ; Michal's lament -- Part 3: A natural history of biblical "sin". Sin's reality ; How innocent anxiety morphs into guilt ; From family stories to the adultery commandment ; From "unclean lips" to confessions of sin ; Afterthoughts: sin and forgiveness in retrospect. -- Part 4: Using the Hebrew scriptures today. The civilized jigsaw puzzle ; The sustaining of healthy families ; Creating and sustaining cultural entities ; Caregivers not anonymous. -- Part 5: In the perspective of hero tales. Moses and the name of God: Israel's hero tale ; More hero tales ; Creatio ex Nihilo, imago Dei, and talk with God.