Rendering Divine Names on Coins: Images from Antiquity to Modern Times
Ebook
After Jesus glanced at the temple coin, he said, "Render to Caesar." This book's title and theme are based upon Jesus' command to give allegiance to both the state and God. Coauthor David Bentley is the historian-theologian who reads and translates the coins' messages. Coauthor Brad Yonaka is the geologist-scientist who finds the copper, silver, and gold coins which are on display in nearly one hundred photo-figures throughout the text. Our God is represented by the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam); his divine name has appeared on coins since biblical times. Even the most theologically astute readers will be surprised by our introduction of Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila as "tabernacle-makers" not "tent-makers." Greek and Roman gods and goddesses, a few ancient Persian empires, the Islamic caliphs, and Qur'anic messages are present in this book. Each stamped their impressions on civilization. When Lincoln added "In God We Trust" during the Civil War, was it as Jesus commanded, a combination of honoring divine and governmental authorities? Or was it a counterfeit trust in dead presidents or self?
“What is most striking about this book is the realization that
all through history coins have unique stories to tell. They
teach us about what people believed, especially their search for
the divine, but also what they thought about themselves and the
meaning of government. In this quest, some leaders blatantly
deified themselves. The authors choose a topic, such as Gnosticism,
Manichaeism, or Islam, give the context, and tie it in with a coin
produced at the time. One hundred photo-figures throughout the text
make the stories that much more interesting. This book will enhance
mutual understanding among people of different faiths and give
opportunities for Christian witness.”
—Warren Larson, Senior Research Fellow and Professor, Zwemer Center
for Muslim Studies, Columbia International University
- Title: Rendering Divine Names on Coins: Images from Antiquity to Modern Times
- Authors: David Bentley, Brad Yonaka, Jonas Mark Hayes
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Print Publication Date: 2019
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781532670718, 1532670710
- Resource ID: LLS:9781532670718
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-10-23T09:00:45Z
David Bentley continues on a journey to meet Muslims in the
United States that began with his family while serving in Jordanian
and Iranian churches. His book The 99 Beautiful Names of God:
For All the People of the Book (1999) was succeeded by
Persian Princess@magi.com (2000), an enactment of his walk
with magi through bristling Middle East nations. He translated
Priest and Prophet for a Lebanese author in 2005. A novel,
Wedding Haircut: A Prenuptial Rite of Passage for 9/11
Terrorists (2011), redeems a groom in a global year of
terror.
Brad Yonaka is a numismatic researcher and has written two books on
Latin American coinage. He has lived and traveled extensively in
Latin America and the Middle East, visiting locations of historical
importance from ancient times onwards in the latter region.
Professionally, he is an exploration geologist, working in mineral
exploration. He is familiar with the places where gold and other
metals were found and traded historically, and the metallurgy
involved with the manufacture of coins.