Israel in the Book of Kings - The Past as a Project of Social Identity

Linville argues that a new approach to the book of Kings is needed because of the failings of the usual historical-critical methods. He adopts a holistic approach which sees the book as a Persian-era text intended to articulate politically and religiously significant symbols within the book's monarchic history. These express the producer's reactions to important issues of Jewish identity in the continuing Diaspora and in Jerusalem. In the story of the schisms and apostacies of Israel's defunct monarchies both the Diaspora and cultural pluralism are legitimized. Rival versions of Israelite heritage are reconciled under an overarching sense of a greater Israelite history and identity.

Product details

• Authors: James Richard Linville, Linville James Richard
• Assisted by: Claudia V. Camp (Editor), Andrew Mein (Editor)
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.05.1998
• EAN: 9781850758594
• ISBN: 978-1-85075-859-4
• No. of pages: 331
• Series: Journal for the Study of the O; Journal for the Study of the O; The Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Religion: general, reference works; RELIGION / Biblical Meditations / General, Religion: general, Bible readings, selections & meditations, Bible readings, selections and meditations