THE POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE ANCIENT ISRAELITE SOCIETY: A PRELIMINARY PRESENTATION OF THE ALTERNATIVES FOUND IN THE HEBREW BIBLE
THE POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE ANCIENT ISRAELITE SOCIETY: A PRELIMINARY PRESENTATION OF THE ALTERNATIVES FOUND IN THE HEBREW BIBLE

Summary/Abstract: Although the Bible does not carry a united answer to the issue of political involvement, one can trace several solutions suggested both when monotheism was a major phenomenon in the society and when it reflected the belief of a minority only. At first, four basic hermeneutical principles are presented followed by six contextual features. The alternatives of political involvement are laid out as four antithetical pairs: respect vs. disobedience, material support vs. sabotage, propaganda vs. criticism, political involvement vs. revolt. They reach the four domains of life: attitude, goods, words, and actions. All eight alternatives have the support of some Biblical texts, but their contribution has to be evaluated in accordance with the events they promote. It can be safely said that the individual should support God given authority and institutions, but rising against them is authorized whenever those institutions trespass their legal boundaries and obligations.

• Details
• Contents