Beschreibung:
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.
1. Preliminary Remarks 2. Introduction 3. A Sketch of the Social History of Israel 4. The Deity in the Circle of Family and Clan 5. Deities in the Village Community 6. God and Goddess in the Tribal Alliance 7. Kingdom Theologies in Israel 8. The Faith Community of "Israel" after the Deportations 9. Polytheism, Syncretism, and the One God 10. Effects and Controversies 11. Appendix: God in our Time