Slavery, Sabbath, War, and Women: Case Issues in Biblical Interpretation

by Willard M. Swartley

Publisher:

Herald Press

, 1983

Overview

The Bible appears to give mixed and even conflicting signals on four contentious issues: slavery, the Sabbath, war, and God’s charge for women. In Slavery, Sabbath, War, and Women, New Testament scholar Willard Swartley seeks, in a spirit of unity and dialogue, to clarify the interpretive difficulties surrounding these topics. A predecessor to his 2003 publication, Homosexuality, this book presents a thorough, spirit-filled discussion of some of the most nuanced and sensitive issues facing the church today.

The Logos digital edition of Slavery, Sabbath, War, and Women, comes packed with the Logos features you’ve come to love. With every Bible reference hyperlinked for instant access and with every cross-reference networked across your resource library, Passage Guide, and other Bible study tools, Slavery, Sabbath, War, and Women takes you deeper into today’s most pressing church issues.

Key Features

• Consideration and discussion of mainstream answers to each controversy
• Thorough and careful scriptural analysis
• Comprehensive footnotes, bibliographies, and indexes

Contents

• Chapter 1: The Bible and Slavery
• Chapter 2: The Bible and Sabbath: Sabbath, Sabbath-Sunday, or Lord’s Day?
• Chapter 3: The Bible and War
• Chapter 4: The Bible and Women: Male and Female Role Relationships
• Chapter 5: How Then Shall We Use and Interpret the Bible?
• Conclusion: Summary of Learnings

Praise for the Print Edition

This book admirably demonstrates the importance of hermeneutical issues by grounding them concretely in four practical areas of biblical interpretation. This book contributes positively to the ongoing hermeneutical discussion.

—Anthony Thiselton, University of Sheffield

In a fair and judicious manner the author presents the problems of the role of the Bible in dispute over important theological questions. The serious student will find here a powerful stimulus toward clarification and critical examination of the principles and methods of interpretation he or she uses.

—Paul D. Hanson, Harvard School of Divinity

Swartley takes seriously the diversity of Scripture, its varied historical contexts, and its location within the life of believing communities. Clearly written, the book can be used with profit by students, teachers, ministers, and lay people.

—Phyllis Trible, Union Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: Slavery, Sabbath, War, and Women
• Author: Willard M. Swartley
• Publisher: Herald Press
• Publication Date: 1983
• Pages: 368

About Willard M. Swartley

Willard M. Swartley is director of the Institute of Mennonite Studies and professor of New Testament at the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries, Elkhart, Indiana. He teaches courses in biblical interpretation, New Testament theology and ethics, and war and peace in the Bible.

He holds a PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary and he has studied at Garrett Theological Seminary. He received his BD from Goshen Biblical Seminary and earned his BA at Eastern Mennonite College.

Swartley has published numerous articles, among them “The Biblical Basis of Stewardship” in The Earth Is the Lord’s (Paulist Press, 1978); “Politics and Peace (Eirene) in Luke’s Gospel” in The New Way of Jesus (Faith and Life Press, 1980); and a scholarly essay on Ignatius in Vigiliae Christianae (1973).

Swartley served on the Mennonite Publication Board from 1971 to 1980. He has taught at Goshen College, Eastern Mennonite College and Seminary, and Conrad Grebel College.