{"product_id":"struggles-for-shalom-peace-and-violence-across-the-testaments","title":"Struggles for Shalom: Peace and Violence Across the Testaments","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Struggles for Shalom: Peace and Violence Across the Testaments, the bottom line is clear: this essay collection is essential for readers who want a careful, scholarly engagement with biblical texts on peace, justice, and violence. Edited to honor Perry B. Yoder and Willard M. Swartley, the volume gathers twenty-three authors who bring close readings of ancient Jewish and Christian writings; the result is a measured, text-focused contribution to discussions of nonviolence and retribution that will reward pastors, seminary students, and scholars looking for thoughtful, source-based reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCollected essays:\u003c\/strong\u003e Twenty-three contributors present varied perspectives that deepen understanding of how peace and violence appear across the Hebrew Bible, Dead Sea manuscripts, and New Testament texts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eText-centered analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e Close readings of passages such as Eccl 3:1-9, Ezek 14:12-23, and Luke 22:31-61 provide concrete biblical evidence for debates about wartime language and nonviolence.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHonors Mennonite scholarship:\u003c\/strong\u003e The volume builds on the life work of Perry B. Yoder and Willard M. Swartley, making it useful for readers interested in the Mennonite tradition and its interpretive priorities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiverse topics:\u003c\/strong\u003e Essays address temple cleansing episodes, sectarian violence in Qumran manuscripts, creation violence themes, and utopian readings of Chronicles, offering multiple entry points for study.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScholarly audience fit:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book is organized for readers who appreciate exegetical detail and scholarly conversation rather than popular simplification.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe volume is best for seminary students, biblical scholars, clergy, and informed lay readers who want rigorous, source-based discussion about peace and violence in scripture. Those teaching courses on ethics, biblical interpretation, or peace theology will find useful essays to assign and discuss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking devotional guides, quick answers, or introductory overviews of pacifism that avoid academic detail should look elsewhere; this book assumes familiarity with biblical texts and interest in engaged scholarly debate rather than devotional simplification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWide-ranging scholarly perspectives illuminate ancient texts relevant to peace and violence debates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClose textual analysis of passages like Luke 22 and Ezekiel gives solid exegetical grounding for ethical reflection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHonors the work of key Mennonite scholars, situating new essays within a recognizable interpretive tradition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe academic level and focus on essays make it less accessible for casual readers or those seeking a devotional treatment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStruggles for Shalom: Peace and Violence Across the Testaments\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEditors\/Authors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLaura Brenneman, Brad D Schantz, Ben C Ollenburger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContributors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTwenty-three authors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain topics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeace, justice, violence in Jewish and Christian texts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRepresentative texts covered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEccl 3:1-9; Ezek 14:12-23; Luke 22:31-61; John 2; Mark 11; Dead Sea manuscripts; Chronicles\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScholars, clergy, seminary students\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStruggles for Shalom is a valuable scholarly collection for anyone engaging the intersection of scripture and peace theology; its detailed essays reward readers who want careful exegesis and historical attention. For those who need academic depth and a range of informed perspectives on biblical violence and peacemaking, this volume is good value and a worthwhile addition to a theological library.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book focus more on the Hebrew Bible or the New Testament?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe collection includes substantial treatment of both Hebrew Bible material and New Testament passages, as well as Dead Sea manuscripts and other ancient sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the book suitable for classroom use?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; the essays are well suited to seminary or upper-level undergraduate courses on biblical ethics, peace theology, or interpretation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a devotional or popular introduction?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo; the volume is scholarly and exegetical rather than devotional, so it is best for readers comfortable with academic treatment of scripture.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Laura Brenneman, Brad D Schantz, Ben C Ollenburger","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48225144013019,"sku":"1498265596","price":62.36,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61IdCs5TmiL._SL1500.jpg?v=1770804804","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/struggles-for-shalom-peace-and-violence-across-the-testaments","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}