T&T Clark Breaking Monotheism: Yehud and the Material Formation of Monotheistic Identity (Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies): No. 565

Product Description Breaking Monotheism makes the case that monotheism is a product of a contest for land and authority. Using the Persian province Yehud as its primary case study, this work takes up a special focus on the interaction between religion and the social-political body in several important areas: (1) power relations in the province, (2) land as private property and its economic impact, (3) political structure and the 'rule of law,' (4) monotheistic religious identity in Palestine and its tendency toward 'cultural' exclusion, and (5) social group formation in the midst of conflict. As a gesture to broader relevance, this work in its analysis develops a model through which to better understand the structural formations of later monotheistic religions. Review Cataldo’s interdisciplinary effort is stimulating and potentially opens up new avenues of approach for future work. This book will be most fruitfully enjoyed by those with extensive knowledge of the contours of the monotheism question, be they graduate or postgraduate students, as well as teachers and professors in Biblical Studies, history, or sociology departments of schools with or without statements of faith, Jewish, Christian or otherwise … Cataldo’s informed, nuanced reading of monotheism’s patterns of development leaves one with much to think about, or perhaps, rethink. ― Reviews in Religion and Theology About the Author Jeremiah Cataldo is Assistant Professor of History in the Frederik Meijer Honors College at Grand Valley State University.