This volume presents the papers given at the Second International Conference on Galilee in Antiquity held at Duke University and the North Carolina Museum of Art in 1997. The goal of the conference was to examine the significance of Galilee and its rich and diverse culture through an extended period of time. Several of the papers have been revised since the conference and in light of continuing discussion. Furthermore, three new papers have been added to the collection, for a total of 25 contributions.
This collection of essays by prominent scholars surveys the ways in which the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments, has been understood and appropriated from biblical times until today. With chapters devoted to major thinkers such as Aquinas, Barth, Calvin, Luther, Maimonides, and Wesley, the writers explore ways the Decalogue has provided theological, ethical, moral, and devotional reflection throughout many facets of religious thought. The pieces reveal both the continuities in interpretation through the centuries as well as ways in which individual theologians departed from reigning readings to develop new directions. Contributors include Daniel I. Block, Craig A. Evans, George Hunsinger, Matthew Levering, D. Stephen Long, William E. May, David Novak, Alison G. Salvesen, Susan E. Schreiner, Carl R. Trueman, and Timothy J. Wengert.
This collection of papers arrives from the eighth annual symposium between the Chaim Rosenberg School of Jewish Studies of Tel Aviv University and the Faculty of Protestant Theology of the University of Ruhr, Bochum held in Bochum, June 2007. The general theme of the Decalogue was examined in its various uses by both Jewish and Christian traditions throughout the centuries to the present. Three papers deal with the origin of the Decalogue: Yair Hoffman on the rare mentioning of the Decalogue in the Hebrew Bible outside the Torah; E. L. Greenstein considers that already A. ibn Ezra doubted that God himself spoke in the Ten Commandments and states that more likely their rhetoric indicates it was Moses who proclaimed the Decalogue; A. Bar-Tour speaks about the cognitive aspects of the Decalogue revelation story and its frame. The second part considers the later use of the Decalogue: G. Nebe describes its use with Paul; P. Wick discusses the symbolic radicalization of two commandments in James and the Sermon on the Mount; A. Oppenheimer explains the removal of the Decalogue from the daily Shem'a prayer as a measure against the minim's claim of a higher religious importance of the Decalogue compared to the Torah; W. Geerlings examines Augustine's quotations of the Decalogue; H. Reventlow depicts its central place in Luther's catechisms; Y. Yacobson discusses its role with Hasidism. The symposium closes with papers on systematic themes: C. Frey follows a possible way to legal universalism; G. Thomas describes the Decalogue as an "Ethics of Risk"; F. H. Beyer/M. Waltemathe seek an educational perspective.
On the edge of the Isleta Indian Reservation in the foothills of New Mexico lies the Decalogue Stone, a giant boulder inscribed with the Ten Commandments in Phoenician Hebrew characters. The Indians, Spanish and Americans knew of its existence, and the nearby Crypto-Jewish community of Los Quelites venerated it, building a secret altar that the Spanish Inquisition smashed and destroyed. For the first time, in this unique monograph, the Decalogue Stone's true origin is revealed in a connection to a forgotten eighth-century Jewish colony in the American Southwest known as Calalus. If you are interested in Christianity, Judaism, Native American traditions, Southwest history or archeology, this book by an expert in epigraphy and historical monuments will fascinate you!
Part memoir, part scholarship, part manifesto for a vital approach to life, David Hazony’s book tackles some of the most painful human questions that stand at the heart of who we are as modern, thinking people and offers answers that are sure to start a new discussion about the meaning of one of our most enduring, yet least understood, traditions. Across the Western World, the Ten Commandments have become a source of both inspiration and controversy, whether in Supreme Court rulings, in film and literature, or as a religious icon gracing houses of worship of every Christian and Jewish denomination. But what do the commandments really stand for? According to polls, less than half of all Americans can even name more than four of them. Fewer still can name all ten or have a clear idea of the ideals they were meant to promote. For most of us, agnostics and faithful alike, they have been relegated to the level of a symbol, and the teachings they contain are all but forgotten. In Western life today, the Ten Commandments are everywhere— except where we need them most. In The Ten Commandments, David Hazony offers a powerful new look at our most venerable moral text. Combining a fresh reading of the Old Testament’s most riveting stories and ancient rabbinic legends with a fearless exploration of what ails society today, Hazony shows that the Ten Commandments are not just a set of obscure laws but encapsulate a deeply valuable approach to life—one that is as relevant now as it was when they first appeared more than two millennia ago.
David L. Baker offers a rare and valuable study of the Decalogue, or Ten Commandments, within their biblical and ancient Near Eastern setting. In addition to an informative discussion of introductory and background issues, he gives each commandment focussed attention, offering commentary as well as consideration of its meaning for today. What is the Decalogue? (Shape, form, origin, purpose) Loving God (1 - 5: loving God, worship, reverence, rest, family) Loving neighbour (6 - 10: life, marriage, property, truth, coveting) The Decalogue Today Bibliography
This bible commentary looks at how Exodus has influenced and has been influenced by history, religion, politics, the arts and other forms of culture over the ages. A bible commentary tracing the reception history of Exodus from Old Testament times, through the Patristic and Reformation periods, to the present day. Considers the ways in which Exodus has influenced and has been influenced by history, religion, politics, the arts and other forms of culture in Jewish, Christian and secular settings. Looks at how Exodus has served as a tool of liberation and tyranny in a variety of settings. Shows how Exodus has been used to shape the identities of individuals and groups. Discusses the works of current and past poets, musicians, film-makers, authors and artists influenced by Exodus. Addresses uses of Exodus related to American and European history such as the Glorious Revolution, colonialism, the American Revolution, Civil War, Civil Rights Movement, African-Americans, and Native Americans, as well as uses by prominent and little-known historical figures Considers the impact of the Ten Commandments and other laws, in legal, political and religious contexts. The Blackwell Bible Commentary series is supported by a website at www.bbibcomm.net
Why the Antinomian disputations? Why now? Whether it is the disappearance of the last generation of native-German speaking Americans, a residual post-World War II anti-German bias, or simply neglect, the theology of Luther that made its way out of the 16th century seems to have devolved, at least in the United States, into simple caricature. If known at all, Lutheran theology seems simply to be that which bolsters or buttresses contemporary theological concepts, ideas and trends...By bringing an unknown work of Luther to light, once again the reader is forced to consider the greater question of his theology in toto.This 224 page work presents Luther's Antinomian Theses & Disputations in English for the very first time, and is a must-have for anyone interested in Lutheran theology.
Because the Ten Commandments seem harsh and unyielding to modern ears, few today realize that they embody the most perfect expression of human freedom. Only by abiding by the Commandments can you have a fully human life and achieve union with God. But you need more than a tenth-grade understanding of them to unleash their remarkable spiritual power in your daily life...which is why Fr. Brian Mullady has written this remarkable book that reveals the many often-overlooked, soul-nourishing elements and implications of each of the Commandments. Here you'll come to understand how the Commandments are not just ten individual rules; they are an entire plan of life that draws you ever more into God and brings you enduring peace with others—and with yourself. With the help of the wise Fr. Mullady, you'll soon come to see how the Commandments not only distill the teachings of Christ in the Beatitudes but are themselves fulfilled when you live in accordance with those Beatitudes. You're sure to close the pages of this book with renewed gratitude for the incredible divine gift of the Commandments and with a greater resolve to believe in them, to meditate on them, and to strive ever to live in accordance with them. From Fr. Mullady you'll learn: How obedience and love are necessary companions How the moral truths revealed by God complement the truths of nature How the First Commandment speaks of a kind of “marital love” God shares with us How “tempting God” involves doubt about God's nature The two conditions that mark any legitimate Sabbath rest Four ways you can place your anger under the control of reason The two kinds of “natural” rights you have as a human — and its relation to the right to own property The five main categories of sinful speech How the “negative” commandments complement the “positive” commandments