Sabbath and Jubilee

H. Lowery Richard

Description

Each book in this series provides an in-depth look at a major recurring theme in the Bible and its lasting theological influence. The series is designed to enhance the reader's understanding of our biblical heritage and its relevance to faithful life today. This book examines the biblical sabbath, sabbath-year, and jubilee traditions as part of a broader effort to reflect theologically on these challenges and points to ways we might build a global ethic of economic and environmental justice.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Worship
• Religious festival
• Theology
• Christianity

Informations

• Publié par: Chalice Press
• Date de parution: 09 novembre 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780827234918
• Langue: English

Extrait

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S ABBATH AND J UBILEE

UNDERSTANDING BIBLICAL THEMES

C OVENANT Steven L. McKenzie

I NCARNATION Jon L. Berquist

P EACE Walter Brueggemann

S ABBATHAND J UBILEE Richard H. Lowery

P RIESTHOODIN A NCIENT I SRAEL William R. Millar

S ALVATION Joel B. Green

S ABBATH AND J UBILEE

RICHARD H. LOWERY

© Copyright 2000 by Richard H. Lowery All rights reserved. For permission to reuse content, please contact Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, [phone], www.copyright.com. Bible quotations marked NRSV are from theNew Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Those quotations marked RSV are from theRevised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Cover design: Elizabeth Wright Interior design: Elizabeth Wright

Visit Chalice Press on the World Wide Web at www.chalicepress.com

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Library of Congress Cataloging–in–Publication Data Lowery, R. H. (Richard H.) Sabbath and jubilee / Richard H. Lowery. p.cm.—(Understanding biblical themes ISBN 978-0-827238-26-8 1. Sabbath—Biblical teaching. 2. Jubilee (Judaism) 3. Sociology, Biblical. 4. Economics in the Bible. I. Title. II. Series. BS680.S17 L68 2000 263'.1—dc21 99-050534

Printed in the United States of America

for Henri Nouwen, who worried about my prayer life, and for Sharon Watkins, whose life is my healing prayer

C ONTENTS

Preface ix

1 An Ethic of Abundance and Selfrestraint 1

2 Households and Kings, Honor and Shame 7

3 Free the Hebrew Slave! 23

4 Release the Debt! Release the Wealth! 37

5 Proclaim Liberty! 57

6 Sabbath and Creation 79

7 Sabbath and Household Hospitality 105

8 Sabbath Made for Humans 123

9 A Modern Spirituality of Sabbath and Jubilee 145

Scripture Index 153

P REFACE

This book has been a very long time coming. Many people have helped me formulate my ideas on sabbath and jubilee and have sup- ported me in various ways through the long process of writing. First of all, I am grateful for the patient support of my family. My children, Bethany and Chris, gave up an entire summer of television, noisy indoor play, and vigorous, vital telephone conversations so Dad could work in peace and quiet. They are decent, admirable people. And I am proud of them. My wife, the Reverend Dr. Sharon Watkins, shuffled her pastoral responsibilities to bear a much greater than normal burden of domes- tic duties and teenage taxi service. She also read the manuscript in progress and offered helpful suggestions for revision. She has, of course, been my dialogue partner on these issues for many years. As an aca- demic theologian who chose to return to parish ministry, Sharon of- fered an important perspective that strengthened the book as communication to a theologically sophisticated church audience. My mother’s assistance and support were essential to the success of this enterprise, as were my brother Gary’s insightful comments, good humor, and helpful encouragement. I am fortunate that my wife’s family is supportive, intelligent, and truly enjoyable. I am espe- cially indebted to my father-in-law, Professor Keith Watkins, an in- sightful dialogue partner whose scholarly example inspires me. I am blessed with numerous mentors. Lee Humphreys and David Dungan at the University of Tennessee first taught me to love the critical study of scripture and inspired me to teach. Bob Wilson, Brevard Childs, David Lull, and Leander Keck at Yale helped me hone skills of critical exegesis and gave me models of excellence in scholarship and classroom teaching. I also wish to acknowledge the invaluable contribution and steadfast support of my longtime con- versation partner, Ron Allen at Christian Theological Seminary. I am deeply indebted to student and faculty colleagues at Phillips Theological Seminary. I am especially grateful to Dr. Joe Bessler- Northcutt for the Doctor of Ministry course we taught together in

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