New Book Explores Relationship Between Ancient Biblical Laws and Contemporary Church Controversies

One of the Old Testament professors at my alma mater, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL, Cheryl Anderson, is publishing a scholarly book called Ancient Laws and Contemporary Controversies: The Need for Inclusive Biblical Interpretation (Oxford, 2009).

The Religion Press Release Service states of Dr. Anderson's book: "Anderson contends that biblical laws, such as one requiring unmarried women to marry their rapist, or those accepting slavery, reflect a privileged male perspective and not necessarily those of everyone in faith communities. She argues that traditional Christian practices and biblical interpretations still exclude voices of women and certain others, including homosexuals and different racial/ethnic groups. She maintains that contemporary controversies in churches - such as homosexuality and the ordination of women - result from these groups expressing their own realities and perspectives on faith. According to Anderson, inclusive biblical viewpoints are consistent with Christian tradition. She bases her conclusions on the Bible (Old and New Testaments) and Protestant reformers (Martin Luther, John Calvin and John Wesley), and parallels them with the U.S. Constitution."

I remember Dr. Anderson as being an intriguing professor for several reasons, but especially because of the way she was able to relate Mosaic, biblical law to contemporary legal issues and legislature due to her background and degree in American law. This especially suits her in writing such a scholarly piece about the relationship between ancient biblical law and current issues in legality. It should be an academically rigorous and provocative work.

Check out a review of the book at RNS.