Social theory and the study of Israelite religion
Book Description
This scholarly collection brings together cutting-edge research that examines ancient Israelite religious practices through the lens of modern social theory. Editor Saul M. Olyan has assembled contributions from established and emerging scholars who apply innovative theoretical frameworks to understand how religion functioned within ancient Israelite society.
The volume explores diverse aspects of religious life, including the role of gender in spiritual practices, the significance of festivals and communal celebrations, and the complex dynamics of honor and shame within religious communities. Contributors examine how social change influenced religious expression and investigate the intricate relationship between written texts and actual ritual practices.
Drawing from multiple academic disciplines including anthropology, sociology, postcolonial studies, and ritual studies, these scholars offer fresh perspectives on familiar biblical material. Rather than simply applying theoretical models wholesale, the authors thoughtfully evaluate and adapt these frameworks to better serve biblical scholarship.
The book addresses fundamental questions about how religious communities organize themselves, respond to external pressures, and maintain their spiritual traditions across generations. Each contribution demonstrates how contemporary social theory can illuminate the lived experience of ancient peoples while remaining grounded in careful analysis of primary sources.
For readers interested in understanding how religious communities function and evolve, this collection provides valuable insights into the social dimensions of spiritual life that transcend historical boundaries.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~6 hours)
📄 Length: 230 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religion
- ✓ Explore Bibel
- ✓ Explore Judaism
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Explore Study and teaching
- ✓ Study Bible from spiritual perspective
- ✓ Explore Bible, criticism, interpretation, etc., o. t.
- ✓ Explore timeless philosophical wisdom
