Hilary Marlow:  "The Other Prophet!  The Voice of Earth in the Book of Amos"

Glossary -

 

YHWH - Yahweh, God's personal name.  Not pronounced out loud in Judaism.  Pronounced as Adonai (LORD) or HaShem (the name) instead.

 

redactor - editor

 

I/Thou   relationship - philosopher Martin Buber's description of a relationship that is subject to subject.  Contrasted with an I/It relationship, subject to object.

 

ripe summer fruit (qayits) and the end (qets) -  play on words

Discussion Questions

1)      In Marlow’s hermeneutical approach to Amos, what does she mean when she talks about the difference between the non-human figures, voices, forces and the unnoticed voices and roles of Earth?  Is this distinction important?

2)      Is Marlow right to identify the metaphor of the ‘voice’ of Earth as an investigation tool, or is it more of an anthropocentric creation of Western Culture, as Marlow quotes from Meadowcroft?

3)      In her observations of the Earth’s response to God’s wrath against man (pg 77), the Earth responds to God’s call to action, predicts future turmoil and punishment, and even acts as an economic sanction against the sinful people of Israel.  Are these acts signs of the Earth’s participation in a dialogue, or simply God’s direct influence over the world?

4)      Marlow raises three examples of how the voice of Earth can be discovered from the text.  How does she explain the metaphor of the cedars and the oaks?   What is the importance of the inclusion of animals in Amos 3:12 and 5:19?

5)      How does Marlow respond to the criticism that using natural metaphors places the world as a secondary object within the narrative?  Is the explanation compelling?

6)      How does she use examples from Psalms to help bolster her position that metaphorical language and an active, engaged Earth isn’t simply an anthropocentric device?

7)      In the section entitled Means of Judgment, Marlow argues that God’s use of the land as punishment is part of its voice in the 3-way dialogue.  Does this seem to be the case, or is the Earth being used as a mere means? (Remember earlier where the Earth responds to God’s will, rather than simply reacting.)

8)      Marlow concludes by saying that the Earth acts in opposition to humanity similarly to Amos.  Amos speaks due to YHWH’s revelation, and the Earth responds to YHWH’s call, not as passive agents, but as active participants in the universe.  How can this concept be extended to Environmental Ethics, if it can?

Home Page of the Earth Bible Project http://www.flinders.edu.au/ehlt/theology/ctsc/projects/earthbible/