Overview

In Between Two Gileads, Spaulding explores the complex intersection of Christian nationalism, fundamentalism, and political theology, focusing on the transformative power of Scripture in shaping political ideologies. Through a critical analysis of Romans 13:1-7 and its historical misinterpretations, Spaulding challenges the rise of authoritarian readings of the Bible, which serve to justify domination and division. Drawing on literary theology, he contrasts the dystopian vision of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale with the grace-filled Gilead of Marilynne Robinson's novels, illuminating two divergent paths for Christian engagement with politics. Through this exploration, Spaulding calls for a theological reimagining of Scripture that resists fundamentalist nationalism, offering a vision of faith that is inclusive, compassionate, and rooted in the redemptive love of God. This book is an urgent call to reclaim the Bible not as a tool of power, but as a wellspring of grace for confronting injustice in our fractured world.

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9798385218363

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Reviews

""This is a book we all need. Hank Spaulding is one of my favorite up-and-coming theologians; not only are his thoughts always rich and extensive, but his ideas are always moving. Hank is a talented thinker and wonderful reader of texts, taking these ideas and thoughts and creating a beautiful vista with his writing. That's just what he's done with Between Two Gileads. This is a wonderfully creative and insightful book. It is timely, offering us all reflections we need in this time."" --Andrew Root, Carrie Olson Baalson Chair of Youth and Family Ministry, Luther Seminary ""In this timely book, Hank Spaulding argues that the simultaneous rise of fundamentalist readings of Scripture and Christian nationalism in America is not a coincidence: both subordinate God to a particular cultural vision of control over social space. As a remedy, Spaulding presents a faithful way to read Scripture as God's art, fostering a creative and beautiful life in response. Spaulding's analysis is intellectually rigorous, literary, and driven by a Christian vision for a better world."" --William T. Cavanaugh, Professor of Catholic Studies, DePaul University ""Between Two Gileads presents theology at its best by weaving together many disciplines to make sense of contemporary politics. By layering history, exegesis, systematic theology, and literature, it does not stop at critiquing distorted ways of reading Scripture but presents its readers with a real ethical choice about which world they want to build. While facing disturbing political realities, Spaulding's book points to lives of quiet beauty that could make all the difference."" --Rahel Siebald, Lecturer for Systematic Theology, Theologisches Seminar Adelshofen, Germany

Author Information

Henry Walter Spaulding III is an Instructor of Religion at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. He is also an adjunct professor of Christian ethics at George Fox University and Ashland University/Ashland Theological Seminary. Spaulding is the author of several books, including The Just and Loving Gaze of God with Us and Iconoclastic Sex, both with Cascade Books. He has contributed articles to Review and Expositor, The Wesleyan Theological Journal, and The Journal for Literary Imagination. He serves as pastor of two United Methodist churches, Trinity United Methodist Church in Grove City, Ohio, and Hope United Methodist Church in Canal Winchester, Ohio. He lives in Columbus with his wife, Michaela.

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