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Marx and the Bible: A Critique of the Philosophy of Oppression

"Much of what we pridefully designate as 'Western Culture' has prevented; theologians, ecclesiastical authorities, and professional exegetes from perceiving the Bible's message on behalf of the poor and helpless of the world. Marx and the Bible is an attempt to break this spell which has been disastrous for Christianity down through history and for the very content of its theology. What is most interesting is that when I began my scriptural investigation I did not have the remotest idea of where it would lead. I undertook it through pure devotion to Jesus Christ. But little by little, as I read the exegetical works, I realized that this barrier has existed for a long time. Any serious reader will see that my convictions are Christian, not Marxist. Biblical scholarship itself will sooner or later have to take seriously the results of my investigation, for my conclusions are objectively verifiable, and I propose them as such. A rigorous methodology, or rather the Bible's authentic message, is called upon in our century to revolutionize completely the history of Christianity and with it the history of the West and the whole world."

-JOSE PORFIRIO MIRANDA

"As far as I know, until now no one has so clearly brought out that the Bible's primordial message is God's liberating justice. Miranda shows a deep understanding of the Bible, a sharp and penetrating mind, broad erudition, an uncommon capacity for personal reflection, a limitless courage to get at the heart of problems, a brave determination to rediscover authentic Christianity, and a vigorous, incisive literary , style, brimming over with life."

—JUAN ALFARO, S.J.

Professor of Dogmatic Theology at the Gregorian University, Rome

"Along the journey of 'mental conversion,' I was helped to take a further step forward by an extraordinary book,... Marx and the Bible: A Critique of the Philosophy of Oppression .... The basic intuitions are impressive and very exact. His biblical analysis of the Old Testament provided new light for me. Its fundamental thrust could be rejected only by minds that had been unconsciously conditioned by a false ontological-cultist attitude. Miranda has made me appreciate the importance of the Second Commandment of the biblical Decalogue. And this understanding is of extreme value in order to recognize the tragedy of the 'paganism' of Christians."

—JOSE MARIA DIEZ-ALEGRIA

formerly Professor of Social Sciences, Gregorian University, Rome, and author of I Believe in Hope

"This is a fascinating book, in may ways an eye-opener. The discussions of the Old

Testament are forceful, and those of the Fourth Gospel are quite exciting."

—PIERSON PARKER

Professor of New Testament, General Theological Seminary, New York

"Those who are aware of the enormous contradictions present in our customary reading of the scriptural texts can only rejoice at the publication of this exegetical study. Based on the most recent investigations, it criticizes at its core a purely individualistic and spiritualistic interpretation of the Bible."

-PIERRE BIGO, S.J.

Former director of L'Action Populaire (Paris) and Consultant to the Latin American Bishops

  • Format
  • paperback
  • Pages
  • 338
  • Language
  • english
  • ISBN
  • 9780883443071
  • Genres
  • philosophy, religion, theology
  • Release date
  • 1974