The Kings and Their Gods: The Pathology of Power

The scenario that confronts us in First and Second Kings is one of turbulence. Daniel Berrigan minces no words in his assessment of this biblical era. Prophets, kings, and the gods they worship - all are found wanting. In seven chapters of The Kings and Their Gods he examines the complex terrain of these two biblical books, opening our eyes to the stories of these characters that we have not seen before. He further forces us to see that this dark time in biblical history is in many ways repeating itself today. The wars of these kings, he says, are our wars today, and we are fashioning our own gods to approve our misdeeds. These two books come to vivid life with the realization of their similarity to our own time. With these parallels, Berrigan incisively indicts us, not excluding himself in this judgment. However, he also points to the light that is possible from this darkness, enjoining us to speak and do the Word, making it alive in the world today. The Kings and Their Gods reveals Berrigan in stunning form. Here this modern-day prophet distills the wisdom of his life, his learning, and his remarkable experience. It is both a masterful biblical commentary and a clarion call to action. This is truly a midrash for our troubled times - both an indictment of the horror that is and an invitation to the great goodness that may be.