God and the Nations

by Douglas John Hall (Editor), Rosemary Radford Ruether

In a time of rapid change and global confusion, how are Christians to perceive God at work in history? The theme of God's presence among the nations is here addressed from different perspectives by two major theologians. Douglas John Hall explores foundational theological the providence of God, the relation of global to national concerns, and the role of the church in relation to God's worldly work. Rosemary Radford Ruether raises the question of the presence of God in the context of three major crises of our timesthe Israeli-Palestinian conflict, global poverty and the preferential option for the poor, and the ecological crisis.

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Douglas John Hall was an Canadian emeritus professor of theology at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, and a minister of the United Church of Canada. Prior to joining the McGill Faculty of Religious Studies in 1975 he was MacDougald Professor of Systematic Theology at St Andrew's College in the University of Saskatchewan (1965–1975), Principal of St Paul's College in the University of Waterloo (1962–1965), and minister of St Andrew's Church in Blind River, Ontario (1960–1962).

Reviews

[Jon Coutts]

One wishes, like Hall says in the conclusion, that there was more interaction between the authors, but their surveys of the pre-9/11 global economic situation are instructive and eerily prescient. This book has a sobering, prophetic feel to it.

[Daniel Weir]

The first half of the book is classic Douglas John Hall. I found his use of the Joseph story in Genesis very helpful in reflecting on God's action in the affairs of nations.