What does the future hold for the Bible? In this provocative and powerfully argued Manifesto, Roland Boer voices his fear that, unless action is taken, the Bible will become the sole preserve of the conservative political and religious groups who have appropriated this sacred text for their own ends. But it hasn't always been that way. Boer also traces the Bible's long history as a source of inspiration for radical and revolutionary movements and then issues a rallying call for contemporary radicals and revolutionaries to maintain and uphold that tradition. Only then, he argues, can the Bible be rescued from its most systematic abusers: the church, the synagogue and the state.
"This is a welcome addition to Blackwell's new Manifestos series."(Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, June2009)
"Rescuing the Bible is deeply thoughtful and provocative, and itdeserves to be widely read and
discussed by both scholars and layfolk, believers and nonbelievers,on the left and the right."
(Biblical Interpretation, April 2010)
"There is an important focus here on how the bible can be readwith an appropriate theological suspicion which will seek todiscern how it can become life-giving while not ignoring itsoppressive potential." (European Journal of Theology, April2009)"I have dreamed of a project like this, a project of our time thatwould offer a manifesto to those of us who refuse to allow theBible to be co-opted and controlled by right-wing and reactionaryforces."
-Gerald West, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal
"Roland Boer presents a lively, thoughtful, and compelling callfor an alliance of the secular and religious left to take back theBible from the religious and political right. In a brilliantanalysis of both the current political landscape and thedevelopment and use of the Bible, he illuminates the liberativeeffects and potential at the core of the Bible."
-Richard Horsley, University of Massachusetts
"Rescuing the Bible is deeply thoughtful and provocative, and itdeserves to be widely read and
discussed by both scholars and layfolk, believers and nonbelievers,on the left and the right."
(Biblical Interpretation, April 2010)
"There is an important focus here on how the bible can be readwith an appropriate theological suspicion which will seek todiscern how it can become life-giving while not ignoring itsoppressive potential." (European Journal of Theology, April2009)"I have dreamed of a project like this, a project of our time thatwould offer a manifesto to those of us who refuse to allow theBible to be co-opted and controlled by right-wing and reactionaryforces."
-Gerald West, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal
"Roland Boer presents a lively, thoughtful, and compelling callfor an alliance of the secular and religious left to take back theBible from the religious and political right. In a brilliantanalysis of both the current political landscape and thedevelopment and use of the Bible, he illuminates the liberativeeffects and potential at the core of the Bible."
-Richard Horsley, University of Massachusetts