Scripture and Ideology

Abstract

Various movements through history have appealed to Scripture for authority. These have been called supersessionist, messianist, and/or zionist, but they continue to appeal to Scripture even after they attain power and thus repress others. Power corrupts, and when this happened in ancient Israel Prophets arose to critique and denounce it. In addition Scripture as canon, both Jewish and Christian, included Wisdom thinking, making it a thoroughly dialogical compendium that questioned abuse of power. The teachings of Jesus are themselves largely prophetic critique of abuses of power. Beyond Scripture prophetic critique can be effected by empathy for the position of “the other” and loving the enemy, thus engaging in the monotheizing process by refusing to demonize those who differ but learning from them.