States of Exile: Visions of Diaspora, Witness, and Return

by Alain Epp Weaver, Daniel Boyarin

Alain Epp Weaver offers a political theology of exile which envisions diaspora and return as both integral dimensions of the church s witness for the shalom of the city. Unlike conventional views, Epp Weaver insists that diaspora and return need not stand in irreducible opposition. He explores these understandings in critical conversations with John Howard Yoder, Edward Said, Karl Barth, and Daniel Boyarin. His views also represent reflection on over a decade of living and working among Palestinian refugees.

Epp Weaver envisions the Christian church as a community in exile which must learn to be theologically not in charge. The church in exile, he argues, must cultivate a receptiveness to the inbreaking of God s Spirit from beyond its walls.

Volume 3 in the Radical Reformation Theologies series.

215 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2008

Reviews

[David]

One of the most helpful books I've read to clarify the mission of the church in the modern world, especially in my context here in Palestine and Israel. Alain Epp Weaver writes from his experience living and working here in Jerusalem with the MCC as well as throughout the region. He weaves together the work of Edward Said and John Howard Yoder in order to make a powerful argument about the need for the church to see itself as intentionally in exile and perpetually returning--not needing to be "in charge," but living as a powerful witness in and of itself. If you want to know what else I think about it, just read Naim Ateek's blurb on the back cover. It's so spot on, I could have written it myself...