Crying for Justice: What the Psalms Teach Us About Mercy and Vengeance in an Age of Terrorism [Paperback]

John N. Day (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 2005

Given the widespread violence and terrorism of the twenty-first-century world, should Christians be seeking divine vengeance like that demonstrated in the retribution psalms of David? This book examines the theology of the curses in the Psalms as well as the ancient cultural context and then shows how mercy and vengeance should play out in our current world. (20060401)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In this book Dr. Day methodically examines the scriptural framework for proper Christian response to persecution of God's people that is unremitting and unrepentant. It is a must read for all Christians, as Christians are emerging as the primary target of the extremist cry of 'kill the infidel.' More than five centuries have passed since Christians in the West have personally had to face such an issue, and now it is time to become spiritually prepared. Don't miss this one. It is the definitive modern analysis of the subject." (Customer Reviews amazon.com 20070101)

"This is the most careful, balanced, and biblical treatment of this subject available. Day addresses all the current views on imprecations, the objections lodged against them, and provides in-depth exegetical discussions of three representative imprecatory Psalms. It's a valuable and important work on an issue that confuses many Christians." (Customer Reviews amazon.com 20070101)

"Not a light read, but intriguing, this book is recommended for leaders, serious Bible students, and those questioning the issue of vengeance." (Carolyn R. Scheidies Author's Choice Reviews 20070701)

This thoughtful work ably addresses one of the more troubling moral problems in the Scriptures in a biblically balanced way, which readers will appreciate. (Roy B. Zuck Bibliotheca Sacra )

John N Day, with his intriguing book, Crying For Justice, has presented a solid case, thoroughly researched and tackles this subject in a scholarly and balanced manner. (Rev. Austin Miles )

From the Back Cover

“Break the teeth in their mouth, O God; tear out, O Lord, the fangs of the lion!” Psalm 58:6

“Happy is he who repays you for what you have done to us—he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks.” Psalm 137:8b-9

How did such barbarism make its way into the prayer book of the people of God? What should New Testament Christians, living by Jesus’ ethic to “love your enemies,” do with these prayers of retribution?

Writing in today’s setting of terrorism and increasing world violence, John Day ably answers these questions in this study of the retribution psalms. By examining the theology of the prayers, as well as their ancient cultural context, he demonstrates how mercy and vengeance should play out in the modern world.

“Preachers and teachers who have been at a loss as to how to understand and proclaim [the imprecatory texts of the Old Testament] will find a way out of their impasse by a careful reading of this fine work.”

—Eugene H. Merrill
Distinguished Professor of Old Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary

“Thoughtful, biblical, and balanced, . . . Crying for Justice has a message for the Christian church in an age of violence and terrorism.”

—J. Carl Laney
Professor of Biblical Literature, Western Seminary

“This book is a tractate for our times. It reminds [Christians] of the continuing relevance of the so-called ‘imprecatory psalms’ in a day of ruthless terrorism and persecution of God’s people.”

—Robert E. Longacre
Emeritus Professor of Linguistics, University of Texas–Arlington

John N. Day (Ph.D., Dallas Theological Seminary) is the senior pastor of Bellewood Presbyterian Church in Bellevue, Washington.

(20060103)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Academic & Professional (August 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825424461
• ISBN-13: 978-0825424465
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #552,663 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Study of Imprecatory Prayer Available, November 12, 2005

By 

Peter J. Leithart (Moscow, Idaho) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crying for Justice: What the Psalms Teach Us About Mercy and Vengeance in an Age of Terrorism (Paperback)

This is the most careful, balanced, and biblical treatment of this subject available. Day addresses all the current views on imprecations, the objections lodged against them, and provides in-depth exegetical discussions of three representative imprecatory Psalms. It's a valuable and important work on an issue that confuses many Christians.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christian Response to Unremitting Utter Evil, February 14, 2006

By 

Mike Liles Jr. - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crying for Justice: What the Psalms Teach Us About Mercy and Vengeance in an Age of Terrorism (Paperback)

In this book Dr. Day methodically examines the scriptural framework for proper Christian response to persecution of God's people that is unremitting and unrepentant. It is a must read for all Christians, as Christians are emerging as the primary target of the extremist cry of "kill the infidel." More than five centuries have passed since Christians in the West have personally had to face such an issue, and now is the time to become spiritually prepared. Don't miss this one. It is the definitive modern analysis of the subject.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine Book on Imprecatory Psalms, October 30, 2005

By 

PCA Federalist (Kirkland, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crying for Justice: What the Psalms Teach Us About Mercy and Vengeance in an Age of Terrorism (Paperback)

John Day has written a fine book on the imprecatory Psalms. He shows they are in keeping with God's standards of justice and with his own covenant promises to protect his people. By documenting that imprecations continue in the New Testament, he demonstrates they are relevant for the church to pray today.

He includes a large number of endnotes for those who want more technical detail. The book contains more references to Ancient Near Eastern texts than the average lay person would find relevant, but upholds the inspiration of scripture. For those who liked James Adams' "War Psalms of the Prince of Peace," this is a more thorough treatment.