The Dynamics of Human Life in the Bible: Receptivity and Power

by Martin J. Buss

Overview

In The Dynamics of Human Life in the Bible: Receptivity and Power, Martin J. Buss describes the dynamics of human life that are encouraged in the Bible and how biblical guidance compares with other religious traditions. The dynamics include both receptivity (“from” another) and power (“for” or “over” another), often in combination (“with” another). For example, love joins receptive cognition of worth with energetic support. Receptivity, the only way to deal with fundamental values, seeks material and religious benefits and is the human side of revelation and salvation. Public acknowledgement strengthens divine influence. Furthermore, receptivity accepts challenges. These include individual and social growth and semi-identification with others, which has societal rather than concrete individual consequences. Power is crucial in legal remedies and penalties. Life with others is important in practical “wisdom” and in Christian “mutual love.” Buss finds that biblical directives parallel those of non-Christian religious traditions. This situation is in line with biblical views of general revelation and developments in history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781793646996
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	04/06/2022
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	6.31(w) x 8.95(h) x 0.83(d)

About the Author

Martin J. Buss is professor emeritus at Emory University.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Basic Perspectives on Reality

Chapter 2: Receiving Benefits in the Hebrew Bible

Chapter 3: Challenges: Major Issues

Chapter 4: Positively Good Social Life

Chapter 5: Remedial Actions in the Hebrew Bible

Chapter 6: Defense of Communal Integrity

Chapter 7: Rituals

Chapter 8: Advice about Flourishing with Others: Proverbs

Chapter 9: Realistic Assessments of Life

Chapter 10: The Background of the Christian Testament

Chapter 11: Receiving Benefits in the Christian Testament

Chapter 12: Receiving Challenges in the Christian Testament

Editorial Reviews

In this engaging book, Martin Buss, one of the most profound scholars of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Testament today, offers his reflections on what makes a good life in light of these biblical writings. Free of technicalities, his perceptions are original, independent, stimulating, and gently persuasive.

David J. A. Clines

We do need new approaches to biblical exegesis and theology. Here is a superb example of what can and should be done. Buss ventures to ask vital contemporary questions of human existence, not to individual biblical texts but to crowds of ancient witnesses. What makes a life ‘good’? How can we achieve justice, peace, and love? His mind is wide open to religious experiences outside our Jewish-Christian tradition. The intricate relationship of receiving impulses, goods, and insights and reaching out to give back and possibly appropriate positions of dominance—also an eminent philosophical and psychological problem—are at the center of Buss’s deliberations. Under his scrutiny, the Bible and other testimonies of good faith become vivid partners in a dialogue concerning a disturbing question: What is humankind that Deity should consider it? This book is for a wide range of serious searchers.

Erhard Gerstenberger

In this engaging book, Martin Buss, one of the most profound scholars of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Testament today, offers his reflections on what makes a good life in light of the biblical writings. Free of technicalities, his perceptions are original, independent, stimulating, and gently persuasive.

David J.A. Clines