Jesus, debt, and the Lord's prayer

Jesus, debt, and the Lord's prayer

By Douglas E. Oakman

Book Description

In this thought-provoking exploration, Douglas E. Oakman reveals how economic oppression shaped the world Jesus inhabited and influenced his revolutionary message. Drawing from historical evidence, the author demonstrates that debt served as a powerful tool of control throughout the Roman Empire, trapping peasants and ordinary people in cycles of financial bondage that affected both their physical wellbeing and spiritual lives.

Oakman illuminates how Jesus's teachings directly addressed these harsh economic realities. The familiar parables and prayers that modern readers know took on profound meaning for audiences struggling under crushing financial burdens. The author shows how debt forgiveness became a central theme in Jesus's ministry, offering hope to those caught in seemingly impossible circumstances.

This scholarly yet accessible work examines how Jesus's commitment to liberating people from perpetual indebtedness ultimately contributed to his crucifixion. Yet his radical vision lived on through the communities he created, where tax collectors and debtors found acceptance and fellowship around shared tables.

For readers seeking to understand the social and economic context behind familiar biblical passages, this book offers fresh insights into how ancient financial struggles connect to timeless spiritual principles. Oakman's research provides a compelling lens through which to view both historical Palestine and contemporary questions about money, power, and human dignity.

Through careful analysis of economic conditions in first-century Palestine, this work bridges ancient history with enduring spiritual wisdom.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~4 hours)

📄 Length: 144 pages

What You'll Discover

  • ✓ Study Bible from spiritual perspective
  • ✓ Explore Palestine, economic conditions
  • ✓ Explore Christianity
  • ✓ Explore Economic conditions
  • ✓ Explore Debt
  • ✓ Explore Economic history
  • ✓ Explore Criticism, interpretation
  • ✓ Explore Bible, criticism, interpretation, etc., n. t.

Topics Covered

Bible Palestine, economic conditions Christianity Economic conditions Debt Economic history Criticism, interpretation Bible, criticism, interpretation, etc., n. t. Teachings Lord's prayer Q hypothesis (Synoptics criticism) Economics in the Bible Economic aspects

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