In the whirlwind
Subtitle: God and humanity in conflict
By: Robert A. Burt
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Cambridge, Mass
Language: eng
Number of pages: 382
ISBN-13: 9780674065666
Subjects: God; Righteousness; Omnipotence; Goodness
Description: "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."--Pub. desc.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p.         ) and index.
Table of contents: title: In the beginning; title: The appearance of authority; title: God gives, God takes away; title: God's promises: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; title: Loving power: Moses; title: Love offered, love commanded: Moses and the children of Israel; title: Grief and grievance: Moses and Job; title: As we forgive those; title: A renewed Testament: Mark, Matthew, and Luke; title: The same Old Testament: Paul and Jesus; title: Eliminating doubts and doubters: John; title: The insoluble problem of politics; title: Justice, justice shall you pursue; title: Reconciling with injustice.