"Come Out My People!": God's Call Out of Empire in the Bible and Beyond

by Wes Howard-Brook

Wes Howard-Brook presents the Bible as a struggle between two competing religions: not Judaism and Christianity, but the religion of creation versus the religion of empire. Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, these two religions battled for the hearts and minds of the people in claiming radically divergent views of who YHWH is and what it looks like to be YHWH's people. Though Jesus was killed by the upholders of empire, his resurrection was the definitive vindication of the religion of creation. s a consequence, those who follow his path can accept no violence or domination tward people or creation in his name. While many recent scholars have studies the imperial context of the New Testament, this is the first book to trace this theme throughout the entire Bible.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Nonfiction, Biblical Studies, Politics, Christianity, History

544 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2010

About the author

Education
AB, Crim. University of California at Berkeley (1976)
JD, Hastings College of the Law (1979)
Member, law review, Thurston Society (top 5% of class), Moot Court Board
M.Div., Institute for Theological Studies, Seattle University (1988)
Pastoral Leadership Program, Seattle University

Books and booklets
“Come Out My People”: God’s Call Out of Empire In the Bible and Beyond (Maryknoll: Orbis,
2010)
Pentecost 1 and 2 “Seasons of the Spirit” Adult Lectionary Study and Reflection Resources
(Kelona, BC: Wood Lake Publishing, 2005)
With Sue Ferguson Johnson. "Transforming Encounter, Radical Discipleship": A Lenten Journey
(Erie: Pax Christi USA, 2003)
With Sharon Ringe, co-editor. The New Testament—Introducing the Way of Discipleship
(Maryknoll: Orbis, 2002)
The Church Before Christianity (Maryknoll: Orbis, 2001):
Best Scripture Book, Honorable Mention (Catholic Press Association)
With Anthony Gwyther. Unveiling Empire: Reading Revelation Then and Now (Maryknoll:
Orbis, 1999)
John’s Gospel and the Renewal of the Church (Maryknoll: Orbis, 1997)
Becoming Children of God: John’s Gospel and Radical Discipleship (Maryknoll: Orbis, 1994;
reprinted, Eugene: Wipf and Stock, 2004)
https://www.seattleu.edu/artsci/facul...

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely incredible survey of scripture, both canonical and non, over the centuries in which the Bible was formed. The 30-page bibliography ensures you that the man has done his research. Howard-Brook approaches the Bible from a position of strong Christian faith, but examines the text and subtext in ways most people of faith refuse to. Rather than basing his study off a misguided reading of 2 Timothy 3:16 ("All scripture is God-breathed", ergo, the Bible is infallible!), he analyzes the writings as messages from people in certain contexts that seek to convey some meaning. He interprets as little of the Bible as possible "literally", instead accepting many texts as biased, metaphorical, or apocalyptic. He masterfully demonstrates the divide between "pro-imperial" and "pro-Creation" texts in the Bible, allowing the reader who has grown with typical protestant faith to examine the Scriptures in a new way with deeper understanding. His analysis covers nearly the whole Bible, including some apocryphal and pseudepigraphal books such as 1 Enoch which didn't make the canonical cut yet still offer insight to those with "ears to hear". This approach will scare and confuse many, who will brand Howard-Brook as a heretic for his willingness to accept the Bible as a collection of texts written by humans for various purposes. But make no mistake, he does not deny the inspiration or work of YHWH. Indeed, his careful presentation, more than any other, has helped me to understand many parts of the Bible that made no sense to me growing up in the church, even as my faith changed from fundamental evangelicalism to a more radical and Jesus-centered faith. I can boldly, yet confidently, say that it is almost fruitless for someone to study the Bible without reading this book. The ideas are not crazy nor unique; Howard-Brook cites hundreds of scholars whose views he has amalgamated, sometimes agreeing and sometimes disagreeing with them. That alone makes this book an incredible resource as a reference of scholarly approach to the Bible. Wherever you are on the spectrum of faith - whether a fundamentalist Christian who truly believes the Bible to be God's inspired word, a radical Christian seeking to more closely understand the way of Jesus, or an atheist who rejects the Bible altogether on grounds of either its "falseness" or the behavior of its followers - this book will be enlightening, challenging, and eye-opening to you.

[Raleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. Wes Howard-Brook paints a picture of the two prevailing and misunderstood religions present throughout the BIble; not Judaism and Christianity, but the religion of Creation and the Religion of Empire. Howard-Brook argues that God calls us out of Empire and into a new way of living. This call is not fully realized until the time of Jesus, who's life is the antithesis of power, violence, and oppression. Christianity has lost its message in selling out to the empire early on and must be recovered. Wes' argument is well supported by extensive research and scholarship.

[Margie Dorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm giving this book top marks for the author's absolutely phenomenal breadth and depth of research scholarship, and its excellent writing, AND the important new insights he brings to biblical studies in general. His general premise is not a new one, that the Way of God calls followers out of the worldly ways of "Empire," "into the immediately available beauty and power of the Creator God's realm of overflowing abundance." There was so much that was worthwhile here that I intend to re-read the book at some point to absorb it even more fully. Since I rarely agree with any researcher "in toto," there are some points I noted along the way that are possible caveats for readers. He needs to be able to more fairly incorporate into his theory the good researchers that he slights. For example, one of my favorites, Richard Elliott Friedman, has been tersely relegated to a single footnote, despite his body of linguistic evidence for source theory (see the preface for *The Bible With Sources Revealed*). Howard-Brook, within the body of his text, completely and absolutely dismisses the work of John Dominic Crossan because of Crossan's connection with the Jesus Seminar, even though Crossan, in his excellent book *In Search of Paul*, made an earlier valid and well-researched assertion that contributes beautifully to the point that Howard-Brook is making. I noted that a researcher that is missing completely here (to my surprise, because it seems like this bibliography is so thorough) is Amy-Jill Levine. The reason that Levine is important to the discussion is the point she raises that, contrary to the notion that early Jesus-followers might have associated the Temple with "Empire" (as Howard-Brook does) that those followers of The Way who lived in Jerusalem frequently prayed in the Temple, until they could pray in it no longer because of its destruction. Despite these caveats, this book is a fascinating must-read for anyone who takes biblical studies seriously.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree with the other readers: this is a remarkable book. It's not an easy read, but it is illuminating.

Mr. Howard-Brook posits that there are two religions in the Bible, but they are not Judaism and Christianity. They are the religion of creation and the religion of empire. He is clear and convincing in making his case. I was also struck by how he examines the books of the Bible and attempts to place them in context, asking who can have written them, and when, and what the situation in the world was at that time. All this is thought-provoking, but also truly inspirational. He manages to give something I've never seen before - a coherent and life-affirming reading of the entire Bible, Old and New Testaments alike.

This book won't be for everyone, but anyone who is worried by the use of religion in politics or the increase both in fundamentalism and intolerance will get comfort, as well as wisdom, here.

[Steve Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Howard-Brook surveys the Old Testament and apocryphal literature and rather than harmonizing to fit a single theological thesis, he argues that the material is better seen as a tension between two ways of life and faith in the world - a religion of creation and a religion of empire. Religion of creation is "grounded in the experience of and ongoing relationship with the Creator God, leading to a covenantal bond between that God and God's people for the blessing and abundance of all people and all creation." By contrast, religion of empire is "a human invention used to justify and legitimate attitudes and behaviors that provide blessing and abundance for some at the expense of others." (7)

Howard-Brook convincingly demonstrates that Jesus and the apostles firmly sit in the tradition of the religion of creation, further developing it in powerful new ways.

This text gave me new insights on familiar biblical passages and themes and introduced me to a number of other scholars of Bible and empire that I'm excited to read.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first section (basically the first 100 pages) is worth reading on its own if you’re on the fence about buying the book - I’d give that 5 stars on its own. The remainder of the book has moments of beauty and insight but overall I was really disappointed - he relays super heavily on an allegorical approach to the Bible which doesn’t hold much weight for anyone in the context I work and would reference this - making it not useful and for me that’s a waste of time. He’s a brilliant scholar and well worth taking the time to engage with.

[William Dejonge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever had a moment in your life where you realized that everything you thought you knew about something was completely wrong? Well, that is the experience I had while reading this book, and the experience I continue to have while meditating on the practical implications for the life God truly wants for us. I was blind, but now I see!

I have purposely refrained from writing a review of this book for nearly two years, because the impact that his book has had on my beliefs, work, and life itself is still redefining everything I thought I knew about God and his will for his creation. I simply cannot recommend this book highly enough for the insight it gives into the writings of the Scriptures, the purposes for which the Bible was written, and the intended application for life for everyone who wishes to bring joy to the heart of God.

Other reviewers are much more eloquent and insightful in writing reviews than I will ever be. However, suffice it to say that I have purchased and distributed multiple copies to give out to friends and family, even though I know most will never care enough to read more than the introduction. However, that is enough for me; that's right, I believe that just the introduction is powerful enough to begin to open the eyes of the blind. Even during my first reading, I could only get through Part 1 before I had to jump to Part 4 to see what Jesus and the early church had to say about the matter. Obviously, I was thoroughly convinced, and I recommend this reading pattern for you as well if you have been immersed in the Western church for a long period of time.

If you're on the fence about purchasing this book, my best advice to you is to stop thinking now. Get the book; read the book; then begin living your life for the glory of our beautiful Creator God.

[Lee Van Ham · Rating 5 out of 5]

My interest in reading this book began by reading a review of it in the Los Angeles Catholic Worker "Agitator." I wanted to know what Howard-Brook says about the origins of Genesis—especially those first chapters about creation, Eden, Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Noah and family. WHAT HE SAYS HELPED ME A LOT!! Cain and Abel became for me prototypical (archetypes) of the MultiEarth and OneEarth paradigms respectively. That Cain killed Abel meshes with stunning contemporary relevance to how the MultiEarth way of living is murdering the planet and OneEarth living.

I was hooked. The book is, as it's subtitle states, "A Call Out of Empire in the Bible and Beyond." That speaks personally to me because I hear that call and am seeking to reconfigure my life to follow it better. Howard-Brook perceives that the bible is a continuing dialogue between those who try to justify monarchies, empires, and MultiEarth (my word) living and those who describe the path and challenges to live within the rich, abundant parameters of our planet (OneEarth living). He challenged me to think differently about segments of life as well as the purpose of the bible.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very rich, and perhaps, provocative reading of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, echoing some themes from Hoard-Brook's earlier work. I found it offered me new perspectives on my faith and life. What more can one ask?

[C. Christopher Smith]

Great book... One of the best theology books of 2011. Detailed review on Englewood Review of Books.