Deuteronomy: No Gods, but One

Daniel Berrigan is a poet, peace activist, and renowned author. His other writings include Daniel: Under the Siege of the Divine, The Kings and Their Gods: The Pathology of Power (Eerdmans), and Swords into Plowshares. He is the recipient of several award

Patrick Hart, OCSO
"Abbey of Gethsemani
—last secretary for Thomas Merton
"Daniel Berrigan's very productive life must be seen as totally dedicated to the God of peace and justice. As both a Christian poet and writer, he has captured the imagination of a whole generation of seekers from all denominations throughout the world. His vital presence in our midst has been a great grace for us all."

Walter Brueggemann
"—author of Theology of the Old Testament
"Without fail Berrigan makes daring and compelling connections between text and life. He has long pondered the idolatries of our society and knows, from the book of Deuteronomy, that a more excellent way is possible. No Gods but One is a welcome summons at just the right time."

James Martin, SJ
"—author of My Life with the Saints
"Daniel Berrigan is one of the church's great modern-day prophets. In this book he artfully shows how the story of Deuteronomy — which may seem far, far away from our contemporary concerns — is, in fact, packed with meaning for our times. Like all prophets, Father Berrigan speaks in a voice that is by turns poetic, disturbing, radical, encouraging, inspiring, and urgent. Above all, it is a faith-filled voice to which all men and women of goodwill should listen."

Publishers Weekly
"Legendary peace activist Berrigan examines the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy through the lens of his personal abhorrence of war in this biblical commentary. Although Deuteronomy is largely the code of laws given to the Jewish people, Berrigan, a Catholic priest, finds something more — a prophetic justification for excoriating those who choose the 'other god' of warfare. Employing poetry and free-flowing streams of prose, he weighs the choice Christians face between Deuteronomy's story and the New Testament gospel. 'An interminable debate ensues,' he writes. 'Which deity to serve?' Too often, he concludes, the choice becomes the 'god' of war, whether by secular leaders claiming to be Christian and blinded by the 'idols' of defense, prosperity or national interests or by bishops who endorse the military actions initiated by political leaders. Berrigan observes that a 'close connection between crime and consequence' runs through Deuteronomy, and he strongly suggests that by going along with the 'culture of death' in the matter of war, Christians may see their religion rotting before their eyes. Thought-provoking reading will be of special interest to those sympathetic to Berrigan's uncompromising political views."