Old Testament in a liberation perspective

Providing new insights into the major themes of the Pentateuch, the challenges to the questions about power, liberation, justice, and connectedness, the interpretation of looking at liberation as an adequate perspective provides a unique critical perspective of these biblical texts as it emphasizes respectful interdependence and concern for all humans, animals, plants, and elements.

Recorded in the Pentateuch (Torah; Five books of Moses; Part of Old Testament) is the fascinating story of the struggle of the enslaved people for their freedom, of freedom gained by acts of God against the oppressor, of the consequent writing down of rules of behaviour and of a social system which, as is clearly stated, underlie all freedom and independence of mind and person.

Wherever there is freedom and independence and good life of high quality on this planet it exists to the extent to which the local communities approach and follow and live according to these social laws and according to this social system, as written down over three thousand years ago and recorded in the Pentateuch (Torah).

So about two thousand years ago, just before and during the formative years of Christianity, the Jewish establishment argued against the social laws and social system of the Pentateuch and succeeded in having the core laws of the Pentateuch bypassed and the whole social system abrogated, in effect annulled.

In the Pentateuch we see described for the first time the history of the conflict between these two elemental and hidden forces or people, as well as a clear statement of how people need to behave if they wish to be free and independent and have lives of high quality.

The Jewish religion is the only one which lays down a system of social organisation and of individual behaviour which enables individuals to gain strength as individuals and as communities, which will ensure a good life of high quality here and now in this life. It states that this is the right of every individual and the Pentateuch gives rules of behaviour to ensure this among those who follow its laws.

Thus we see Christianity struggling forwards towards its roots. It is doing so in accordance with the Cause-and-effect Relationship of the Pentateuch. This clearly states that inhumanity, suffering and oppression will increase until people return and follow the laws of the Pentateuch. These laws include its laws of behaviour and its social laws and its social system and these provide fairness and equality, independence and freedom, for all.