Theologies in the Old Testament /

Gerstenberger (Univ. of Marburg) significantly expands and redefines the category of theology of religion, attempting to lay bare the diversity of theologies in the Old Testament, in contrast to the traditional approach that seeks to delineate a dominant voice. He brings his long-standing sociological interest to the text as he attempts to sort out the multiple layers of religious belief and practice embedded in the Old Testament. After sketching the social history of Israel, the author explores a variety of religious understandings and beliefs using the categories of the deity in the circle of family and clan, the village, the tribal alliance, "kingdom theologies," and the "faith community" after exile. He concludes with a theological discussion relating his analysis to our own time. This theological discussion legitimizes the title Theologies in the Old Testament in contrast to works such as Patrick D. Miller's The Religion of Ancient Israel (2000), whose categories significantly overlap those of Gerstenberger. This volume has been translated from the 2001 German original by the accomplished translator John Bowden. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. H. O. Forshey Miami University