Thread: Gary North - Leviticus (An Economic Commentary)

Has anyone read or is familiar with:

Gary North - Leviticus (An Economic Commentary)

Leviticus

Thoughts ?

I always thought Leviticus was about God...humm but Scary Gary says it's about the Economy. interesting.

A long, long time ago now, as a young man, GN's "Leviticus" was the first commentary I ever read on that book. I was still fascinated by the theonomic thesis at that time. I did (and still do) like GN's polemical, punchy style of writing. I don't really recall a great deal about the book.


In that series, he's attempted to mine various Bible books for their "economic content." He uses the term fairly broadly, so his observations have a range from items of household finance to public policy.

He doesn't do a "verse-by-verse" approach, as if the book would be of major expositional value on a sermon series in a book. Think of it more along the lines of a commentary that was going to treat all the passages in Mark (for example) that the author thought had direct bearing on the subject of personal counseling.

The above example is "pastoral" in nature, so it might not raise any eyebrows to hear of it. But some would object to a similar treatment on economics. But GN believes the Bible has universal insights into human conduct in every area of life; economics is a big area, so he expects the Bible to have a number of things to say. He has found enough to write about, amounting to probably close to twenty volumes by now.

Obviously, not everyone is going to agree with his use of some texts, or treating the Bible as a source of permanent, universal, binding economic law. However, I'd say that at the very least, he has shown that the socialist/social-justice model of appropriating biblical texts to gain moral justification is neither unchallengable, nor engaged in serious exegetical work. I think GN does a far better job at reading texts for what they actually say, than the moral-crusader liberation theologian armed with prooftexts from Amos.

Along the way, GN has included many essays (usually found in his ubiquitous Appendii) that offer some ancillary treatments on social and cultural themes, often from an apologetic (van Tilian) perspective.


Conclusion: the books (a few of which I've read, only one which I own, all which are available for free from his website, so I don't recommend you spend money to buy a hard-copy) contain a number of interesting insights, and a few novel interpretations. I have always read GN enjoyably (even when I disagreed with him) because his style is generally agreeable to my mood--frequently "bull in a china shop."

If you agree that this project is an appropriate use of the Biblical material, and the Bible may safely be used to construct/verify viable economic theory (which "happens" to cohere with GN's Austrian/free-market bent), then you will like his offerings in this series.

I do not think that for narrowly defined gospel ministry, these volumes are the best use of your resources and time. But if you have diverse interests, or if you would like to combat a "socialist" take on Biblical economic ethics, then dip into his treatments.

Originally Posted by Contra_Mundum

A long, long time ago now, as a young man, GN's "Leviticus" was the first commentary I ever read on that book. I was still fascinated by the theonomic thesis at that time. I did (and still do) like GN's polemical, punchy style of writing. I don't really recall a great deal about the book.


In that series, he's attempted to mine various Bible books for their "economic content." He uses the term fairly broadly, so his observations have a range from items of household finance to public policy.

He doesn't do a "verse-by-verse" approach, as if the book would be of major expositional value on a sermon series in a book. Think of it more along the lines of a commentary that was going to treat all the passages in Mark (for example) that the author thought had direct bearing on the subject of personal counseling.

The above example is "pastoral" in nature, so it might not raise any eyebrows to hear of it. But some would object to a similar treatment on economics. But GN believes the Bible has universal insights into human conduct in every area of life; economics is a big area, so he expects the Bible to have a number of things to say. He has found enough to write about, amounting to probably close to twenty volumes by now.

Obviously, not everyone is going to agree with his use of some texts, or treating the Bible as a source of permanent, universal, binding economic law. However, I'd say that at the very least, he has shown that the socialist/social-justice model of appropriating biblical texts to gain moral justification is neither unchallengable, nor engaged in serious exegetical work. I think GN does a far better job at reading texts for what they actually say, than the moral-crusader liberation theologian armed with prooftexts from Amos.

Along the way, GN has included many essays (usually found in his ubiquitous Appendii) that offer some ancillary treatments on social and cultural themes, often from an apologetic (van Tilian) perspective.


Conclusion: the books (a few of which I've read, only one which I own, all which are available for free from his website, so I don't recommend you spend money to buy a hard-copy) contain a number of interesting insights, and a few novel interpretations. I have always read GN enjoyably (even when I disagreed with him) because his style is generally agreeable to my mood--frequently "bull in a china shop."

If you agree that this project is an appropriate use of the Biblical material, and the Bible may safely be used to construct/verify viable economic theory (which "happens" to cohere with GN's Austrian/free-market bent), then you will like his offerings in this series.

I do not think that for narrowly defined gospel ministry, these volumes are the best use of your resources and time. But if you have diverse interests, or if you would like to combat a "socialist" take on Biblical economic ethics, then dip into his treatments.

Thanks Bruce for your comments, which were helpful!!

Originally Posted by Romans922

I always thought Leviticus was about God...humm but Scary Gary says it's about the Economy. interesting.

Funny thing is "Scary Gary" actually thinks Leviticus has something to teach us.

But back to the original point. I have read this and agree for the most part with Bruce's take. I am a fan of this book.

You can find them here.

I don't believe anyone here would be thinking that Leviticus doesn't have anything to teach us.

John Currid has a good commentary (EP Study Commentary Series) on this book, as well as Genesis, Exodus, Numbers (forthcoming), and Deuteronomy.

I've read this book a long time ago and own it.

I don't remember much about it but I do agree that the church rather than the state should take more to do with health, education and welfare.

You'd be better starting with Calvin's Harmony of the Last Four Books of Moses; that's Moses not Mises

I have read one book by Gary North, years ago. I forget the title but it was regarding the Rapture Theory. Gary North is VERY readable and engaging. He will make you think. I would recommend any book by him, if only for the pleasure of a good read!