I'd just like to say thankyou to everyone who has already pre-ordered my book, Capital Punishment in the Pentateuch: Why the Bible Prescribes Ritual Killing. I just noticed that the Logos research edition is almost fully funded, so this post is a quick heads up to those who might be interested in taking advantage of the heavily discounted pre-order price. @14.99USD this resource is an absolute steal. Recommended for those who are interested in the biblical and social function of ritual killing in ancient Israel, and how the scriptures should inform modern attitudes to capital punishment in our world.
Capital Punishment in the Pentateuch: Why the Bible Prescribes Ritual Killing
Through the application of mimetic theory Skidmore examines the social impact of capital punishment upon the community, and explores the cathartic nature of this practice within key Pentateuchal texts. Skidmore shows how Mimetic theorists such as Girard advance a view that a community ravaged by vengeance and blood feuds may be saved from extinction by scapegoating one of their own. As the community select a common scapegoat, and vent their collective violence upon this person, peace and order are restored. Though an in-depth analysis of various passages, Skidmore reveals this process in key Pentateuchal texts concerning capital punishment. These observations suggest that biblical capital punishment may have functioned as a means of protecting the Israelite community by managing rivalry and violence.
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