Daniel: Under the Siege of the Divine

Poet, priest and activist Daniel Berrigan brings the biblical book of Daniel alive in this narrative and commentary. Written probably in the fourth century B.C., the book of Daniel tells the story of Daniel's great obedience to his faith even in the face of persecution. Although Jews do not read the book as prophecy, many Christians believe the book is a foretelling of the end times. Berrigan's eloquent and poetic reading, however, emphasizes the political and religious character of the book, and he applies the message of Daniel to contemporary culture. Each chapter opens with a lengthy passage from the biblical book itself and is followed by Berrigan's commentary and reflections on the passage. His meditations are dominated by questions like, ""Shall we claim one another in God's name, renouncing the world's tactics--murder, hatred, and injustice?"" Berrigan tries to show how the book reveals that ""emptiness lies behind the fearsome brows of the powerful."" Berrigan's fiery prose illuminates both his own passion and that of the book of Daniel. (July)