Monotheism and Institutions in the Book of Chronicles

Download or read book Monotheism and Institutions in the Book of Chronicles written by Matthew Lynch and published by Mohr Siebeck. This book was released on 2014-03-25 with total page 332 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Matthew Lynch examines ways that the one God became known and experienced through institutions according to the book of Chronicles. Chronicles recasts Israel's earlier histories from the vantage point of vigorous commitments to the temple and its supporting institutions (the priesthood and royal house), and draws out the numerous ways that those institutions mediate divine power and inspire national unity. By understanding and participating in the reestablishment of these institutions, Chronicles suggests that post-exilic Judeans could reconnect to the powerful God of the past despite the appallingly impoverished state of post-exilic life. However, Chronicles contends that God was not beholden by those participating in the temple system. As such, it constitutes a via media between two regnant perspectives on the relationship between biblical monotheism and particularism.