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A challenging analysis of the Book of Joshua, exploring the theological insight gained by seeing the genocidal slaughter by the Israelites as myth not history.
Many Christians wrestle with biblical passages in which God commands the slaughter of the Canaanites - men, women, and children - and the book of Joshua in particular showcases the genocidal violence which saturates the Old Testament. The issue of the morality of the God portrayed in these passages is one of the major challenges for faith today, leading many Christians to cast doubt over what, if any, theological value can be gleamed from such accounts and how they can even be called Holy Scripture. In this bold and innovative book Douglas Earl grasps the bull by the horns and guides readers to new and unexpected ways of looking at the book of Joshua.
Many Christians wrestle with biblical passages in which God commands the slaughter of the Canaanites - men, women, and children - and the book of Joshua in particular showcases the genocidal violence which saturates the Old Testament. The issue of the morality of the God portrayed in these passages is one of the major challenges for faith today, leading many Christians to cast doubt over what, if any, theological value can be gleamed from such accounts and how they can even be called Holy Scripture. In this bold and innovative book Douglas Earl grasps the bull by the horns and guides readers to new and unexpected ways of looking at the book of Joshua.
Price: $29.99
Pages: 190
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Inc.
Imprint: James Clarke
Publication Date:
30 June 2011
Trim Size: 9.02 X 6.02 in
ISBN: 9780227173763
Format: Paperback
BISACs:
HISTORY / Wars & Conflicts / World War II / General, Second World War, RELIGION / Biblical Studies / General, Criticism and exegesis of sacred texts, Bibles
The fruits of Earl's approach are not dissimilar to the result of reading the book of Joshua as 'story'. His originality lies in the way he conscripts Turner and Kunin to bolster his case for reading it as myth. Readers who are prepared to follow him on the journey will find this a challenging and stimulating book, even if they disagree with him.
— John J. Bimson
These books [The Joshua Delusion? along with Reading Joshua as Christian Scripture, by the same author] are definitely worth reading. Earl's treatment of myth is useful, and his discussion of the narrative of Joshua is also quite helpful. [...] Also to be commended is his willingness, particularly in JD, to address issues which can be somewhat sensitive within his own Evangelical Christian community.
— Anthony Milner
— John J. Bimson
These books [The Joshua Delusion? along with Reading Joshua as Christian Scripture, by the same author] are definitely worth reading. Earl's treatment of myth is useful, and his discussion of the narrative of Joshua is also quite helpful. [...] Also to be commended is his willingness, particularly in JD, to address issues which can be somewhat sensitive within his own Evangelical Christian community.
— Anthony Milner
Preface
Foreword by Walter Moberly
Introduction
1. If Jericho was Razed, is our Faith in Vain?
Facing the historical problem: If Jericho was not razed, is our faith in vain?
Facing the ethical problem: If Jericho was razed is our faith in vain?
The Joshua Delusion?
Remembering the forgotten pathways: Listening to Origen
2. On Wearing Good Glasses: The Importance of Interpretation
Turning to Anthropology for help
Joshua, identity construction and herem
Joshua as revelatory Scripture
How do we know it’s true?
3. Clearing the Ground: Understanding Joshua as an Ancient Text
The composition of Joshua
Is Joshua a ‘conquest account’?
Understanding herem
Summary
4. Reading Joshua
Joshua 1-12: the conquest
Joshua 13-22: the land
Joshua 23-24: Israel’s ongoing response
Summary
5. Reading Joshua as Christian Scripture
Reading old texts in new contexts: Joshua in the canon
The Interpretation of Joshua in the Christian tradition
Taking the tradition forward
Reading Joshua alongside the gospels
Joshua and openness to ‘the other’
Joshua and genocide
Summary
6. So what?
Joshua and history
Joshua and salvation history
Joshua and miracles
Conclusion
Response to Douglas Earl
Response to Christopher J.H. Wright
Endnotes
Bibliography
Foreword by Walter Moberly
Introduction
1. If Jericho was Razed, is our Faith in Vain?
Facing the historical problem: If Jericho was not razed, is our faith in vain?
Facing the ethical problem: If Jericho was razed is our faith in vain?
The Joshua Delusion?
Remembering the forgotten pathways: Listening to Origen
2. On Wearing Good Glasses: The Importance of Interpretation
Turning to Anthropology for help
Joshua, identity construction and herem
Joshua as revelatory Scripture
How do we know it’s true?
3. Clearing the Ground: Understanding Joshua as an Ancient Text
The composition of Joshua
Is Joshua a ‘conquest account’?
Understanding herem
Summary
4. Reading Joshua
Joshua 1-12: the conquest
Joshua 13-22: the land
Joshua 23-24: Israel’s ongoing response
Summary
5. Reading Joshua as Christian Scripture
Reading old texts in new contexts: Joshua in the canon
The Interpretation of Joshua in the Christian tradition
Taking the tradition forward
Reading Joshua alongside the gospels
Joshua and openness to ‘the other’
Joshua and genocide
Summary
6. So what?
Joshua and history
Joshua and salvation history
Joshua and miracles
Conclusion
Response to Douglas Earl
Response to Christopher J.H. Wright
Endnotes
Bibliography