Inequality and Inequality

Last updated on: May 5, 2017 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

In Adam Smith and the Character of Virtue, Ryan Patrick Hanley explains why Smith considered the “inequality of precommercial societies [to be] infinitely more pernicious than the inequality to be found in commercial society.” He does this by demonstrating “how the conditions that afford the powerful with maximal opportunities to gratify their selfishness are at once the conditions that afford the weak with maximal freedom.” Feudal, pre-commercial societies offer “minimal opportunities for indulgence,” and so “it is impossible for even the most... Read more

Mediators

Last updated on: May 4, 2017 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

Ancient conceptions of society were tinged by the potential for tragedy, a potential linked to the inescapable necessity of alterity, of encountering an “other.” As Luigino Bruni puts it (The Wound and the Blessing), “if happiness requires social relationships—that is, requires friendship and reciprocity—if friendship and reciprocity are free acts neither fully nor unilaterally controlled by the individual, then human happiness depends on the response of others, on how much they return love, friendship, and reciprocity. If . . .... Read more

Hear and Forgive

Last updated on: May 4, 2017 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

Solomon knows that the temple cannot contain Yahweh. He can’t be contained within the limits of earth, or even the “heaven of heavens” (2 Chronicles 6:18): How then can He be confined to a tiny cube called the “holy of holies.” Solomon also knows that the temple doesn’t need to capture Yahweh in order to be effective. It will be enough if it captures His attention. Solomon asks that He “face” (6:19; Heb. panah) the temple, and open His eyes... Read more

Chiasms of Prayer

Last updated on: May 3, 2017 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple begins with a prayer structured as a double chiasm (2 Chronicles 6:14–21). The first runs from verses 14–17: A. Yahweh, God of Israel, you keep covenant, v 14a B. to servants who walk before you, v 14b C. You have kept (shamar) what you spoke to David, v 15a D. You spoke with your mouth, fulfilled with your hand, v 15b C’. Yahweh, God of Israel, keep (shamar) what you spoke to David, v... Read more

A Lofty House

Last updated on: May 2, 2017 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

The ark has been placed in the temple, the Levitical musicians have played, Yahweh’s glory has descended to fill the house, and then Solomon start talking. He declares the completion of the building (2 Chronicles 6:1–2), blesses Yahweh for fulfilling His promise (6:3–11), asks Yahweh to hear prayers (6:14–21), and then prays a series of seven petitions asking Yahweh to hear prayers offered in specific circumstances (6:22–42). The blessing to Yahweh (6:4–11) is complexly, repetitively structured. On the surface, it has a... Read more

Politics of YHWH

Last updated on: May 2, 2017 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

The Mennonite theologian John Howard Yoder is best known for his seminal book on The Politics of Jesus (1972). Yoder’s writings about the Old Testament “prequel” to Jesus are less well known, partly because they are scattered in articles that Yoder never gathered between two covers. In The Politics of Yahweh (Cascade, 2011), John C. Nugent, Professor of Old Testament at Great Lakes Christian College, not only synthesizes this body of work, but also provides a thoughtful critique and correction... Read more

Romantic and Civic Nationalism

Last updated on: May 1, 2017 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

In a contribution to Bonds of Imperfection, Joan Lockwood O’Donovan examines varieties of nationalism and the neglected biblical and theological sources for understanding modern nations. She identifies two strains of nationalism that have developed since the nineteenth century. The first, “romantic nationalism,” takes the nation “as a unique communal totality, at once natural and historical” that “gives rise to and morally justifies the sovereign state.” This totality is characterized and constituted by “a common language and ethnic inheritance—shared sentiments, mores,... Read more

Pain-Avoidant Economy

Last updated on: April 28, 2017 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

Luigino Bruni (The Wound and the Blessing) argues that “society without markets and contracts cannot be civil.” Without markets “it is not mutual love that usually takes their place; the void left without contracts is frequently filled by power relationships in which the strongest exploit the weakest.” He admits that there are strong and weak in the market too, but suggests that there they “can usually be recognized and the asymmetry in these relationships can perhaps be overcome” (xxii). Yet,... Read more

Pop’s Un-formula

Last updated on: April 28, 2017 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

At ESPN, Elaine Teng states the obvious: San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg “Pop” Popovich has an unequalled record of success. Since he took over the Spurs twenty years ago, his teams have never failed to make the playoffs. In all sports, the closest contender is Pittsburgh’s NHL Penguins, with a measly eleven straight playoff appearances. The formula? The secret is that the Spurs don’t have a formula, or that they keep changing it: “Whether it’s corner 3s or DNP-rests, analytics or a commitment... Read more

Filial Rain

Last updated on: April 28, 2017 at 12:00 am By Peter Leithart

God is the Father of precipitation, Job says (Job 38:25–30). Rain is filial, the Father’s nourishing gift to the world. The imagery appears elsewhere. The righteous king is “like rain upon the mown grass” (Psalm 72:6), and the king’s “favor is like a cloud with the spring rain” (Proverbs 16:15). Yahweh “rained down manna upon [Israel] to eat . . . He rained meat upon [Israel] like dust” (Psalm 78:24, 27), and we know that the rain of manna typified... Read more