The Politics of Yahweh: John Howard Yoder, the Old Testament, and the People of God

by John C. Nugent, Stanley Hauerwas (Foreword)

John Howard Yoder is most famous for arguing in The Politics of Jesus that a sound reading of the New Testament demonstrates the abiding relevance of Jesus to social ethics. However, it is seldom acknowledged that Yoder makes essentially the same argument with regard to the Old Testament. Throughout his extensive writings, Yoder offers a provocative interpretation of the Old Testament that culminates in the way of Jesus and establishes the ethical, ecclesiological, and historiographical continuity of the entire biblical canon. In The Politics of Yahweh, presented as a prequel to The Politics of Jesus, John C. Nugent makes Yoder's complete Old Testament interpretation accessible in one place for the first time. Nugent does not view Yoder's interpretation as flawless. Rather, Nugent moves beyond summary to offer honest critique and substantial revision. His constructive proposal, which stands in fundamental continuity with the work of Yoder, is likely to provoke thought from theologians, biblical scholars, and ethicists. Even at points where readers disagree with some of his and Yoder's interpretations, they will be challenged to explore new perspectives and rethink common assumptions concerning the diverse and often confusing issues that arise from sustained reflection on the Old Testament.

Genres: Theology, Politics

266 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 2011

Reviews

[Jake Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick summary. Sometimes Yoders OT interpretations are good, sometimes they are meh. Scholars agree, sometimes they don’t. Was repetitive at some points but that was kind of the goal so who cares.

[Chris Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book that lays out the overarching narrative of the Bible and makes the claim that God's people today are called to denounce political and military power.

Here's a quote that captures the trajectory of the book,

It (the narrative proposed by the book) documents a consistent and deliberate divinely-orchestrated movement of God’s people out of and away from the power postures of the nations around them. If that interpretation is correct, the burden of proof falls upon those who would claim that God has changed his mind about his people wielding this kind of power.

Nugent, John C. (2011-11-08). The Politics of Yahweh: John Howard Yoder, the Old Testament, and the People of God (Theopolitical Visions) (p. 177). Cascade Books, an Imprint of Wipf and Stock Publishers. Kindle Edition.

If you are wrestling with how Christians should interact with power, read this book.