Wesley Theological Seminary

Abstract: James K. A. Smith's latest book, Awaiting the King: Reforming Public Theology is the final of his three-volume series on “Cultural Liturgies.”1 Smith says that the ultimate goal of the series is th...

Abstract: This book examines the long-debated issue of the relationship between the Hebrew Bible and ancient Near Eastern myths. Using an innovative, interdisciplinary methodology that combines theories of metaphor and narrative, Paul Cho argues that the Hebrew Bible is more deeply mythological than previously recognized. Because the Hebrew Bible contains fragments of the sea myth but no continuous narrative, the study of myth in the Hebrew Bible is usually circumscribed to the level of motifs and themes. Cho challenges this practice and demonstrates that the Hebrew Bible contains shorter and longer compositions studded with imagery that are structured by the plot of sea myths. Through close analysis of key Near Eastern myths and biblical texts, Cho shows that myth had a more fundamental influence on the plot structure and conceptual framework of the Hebrew Bible than has been recognized.

Abstract: This paper promotes a “liberatory theology of disability” founded upon biblical images of God and upon the perspective and experiences of persons with disabilities. It calls for new images of wholeness and healing in order to comprehend a truer imaging of God. The author posits that we must view disability and disease through different conceptual lenses than we have used heretofore in order to behold the image of God in each child of God. She asserts that disability in no way detracts from our essential being; indeed, it may well enhance our image of God and of ourselves.

Abstract: CONTENTS 1/ Trading Blood for Oil PART I / A HISTORY OF OIL AND THE USE OF MILITARY POWER TO CONTROL SUPPLIES 2 / American Dominance in Oil 3 / Iran, Iraq, World War I and the Interwar Years 4 / World War II 5 / The Cold War 6 / Three Cartels: The Seven Sisters, the Texas Railroad Commission, and OPEC 7 / Another Middle East War and Embargo, Shortages, and Price Rises 8 / The Carter Doctrine 9 / 1980s: European Dependence on Soviet Energy and the Iran-Iraq War 10 / The US-Iraq Wars 11 / The Oil Market Today PART II / MYTHS ABOUT OIL AND ITS MARKET 12 / Myth 1: No Viable Market Exists for Oil 13 / Myth 2: Big Oil Colludes with OPEC to Stick Consumers With High Prices 14 / Myth 3: Global Oil Production Has Peaked and the World Is Running Out of Oil 15 / Myth 4: Oil Is a Special Product or Even Strategic 16 / Myth 5: A Strategic Petroleum Reserve Is Needed in Case of Emergency 17/ Myth 6: The U.S. Should Become Independent of Oil, Foreign Oil, or Overseas Energy 18 / Myth 7: Oil Price Spikes Cause Economic Catastrophes 19/ Myth 8: U.S. Policy Is to Maintain the Flow of Oil At the Lowest Possible Price 20 / Myth 9: Possession of Oil Means Economic and Political Power 21 / Myth 10: The United States Must Defend Autocratic Saudi Arabia because of Oil 22 / Myth 11: Dependence of Europe on Russian Energy Is a Threat to U.S. Security PART III / NO NEED TO USE MILITARY POWER TO SAFEGUARD FOREIGN OIL 23 / Safeguarding Oil with Military Power Is Mercantilism and Imperialism 24 / Threats To or From Oil PART IV / Policy Prescriptions Notes Index About the Author