Theologies in the Old Testament

The author here offers a radical departure from traditional treatments of Old Testament theology. Rather than offering a systematic approach, he discusses the various theological voices coming from different social settings within ancient Israel: the family and the clan, village, tribal alliance, and kingdom. Gerstenberger concludes with his reflections on how the biblical witness informs contemporary theology, and must be contextual and ecumenical in order to be authentic.

Description based upon print version of record.

Cover; Contents; Preface; 1. PRELIMINARY REMARKS; 2. INTRODUCTION; 2.1 From what context do we consider the Old Testament?; 2.2 What is the status of the Old Testament writings?; 2.3 What are our aims in interpreting the ancient traditions?; 3. A SKETCH OF THE SOCIAL HISTORY OF ISRAEL; 3.1 Family and clan; 3.2 Village and small town; 3.3 Tribal alliances; 3.4 The monarchical state; 3.5 Confessional and parochial communities; 4. THE DEITY IN THE CIRCLE OF FAMILY AND CLAN; 4.1 The horizon of faith; 4.2 Cultic actions; 4.3 Ideas of God; 4.4 The ethic of family and clan

4.5 Theology from the family -- theology of the individual5. DEITIES OF THE VILLAGE (SMALL-TOWN) COMMUNITY; 5.1 The social history of Palestine; 5.2 Village structures; 5.3 Rituals and cults; 5.4 Ethics and the administration of justice; 5.5 The theology of the settled community; 6. GOD AND GODDESS IN THE TRIBAL ALLIANCE; 6.1 The biblical picture of the tribal system; 6.2 The origin of Israel; 6.3 The structure of the tribes; 6.4 Cultic actions; 6.5 Ideas of God; 6.6 Faith and ethics; 6.7 Ideologies of war? Liberation theology?; 6.8 How were larger societies organized?

7. KINGDOM THEOLOGIES IN ISRAEL7.1 The sources; …