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Volume Four in the De-colonising the Biblical Narrative Series is dedicated to those First Nations Australia peoples who were informed by invading colonists, that Australia or other lands, was The Promised Land for the colonials, like the Land of Canaan, colonised by Joshua, in the name of the Colonial God YHWH whose merciless techniques, are outlined, by a Colonial Narrator in the Book of Joshua. The true message of The Book of Joshua has long been hidden. In Sunday School, in church sermons, in seminaries or in most interpretations of this book, Joshua has been viewed as a hero of a great God who enabled
his people to escape from Egypt and to settle in the Promised Land. The colourful Crossing of the Jordan, the spectacular Fall of Jericho and the Sun Standing Still were viewed as amazing portraits of how the God of Israel enabled Israel to enjoy entering The Promised Land. There is only one way First Nations people can interpret Joshua but from a colonising point of view, as it is clear the colonial God favours one race of people over that of another. Colonists have over the centuries used the Book of Joshua as the bases for their justification to invade, colonise, steal lands, massacre First Nations people and enslave them.
About the Series Editors
Anne Pattel-Gray is a First Nations scholar who has been a fervent advocate of First Nations’ rights, issues, culture and spirituality. Her works include, Through Aboriginal Eyes and Aboriginal Spirituality, Past, Present and Future. Her acute consciousness of the influence of colonialism has moved her to re-interpret the Biblical narrative.
Norman Habel is Hebrew scholar who has long been involved in Biblical interpretation being editor of The Earth Bible Series. He has also become colonial conscious having listened to the Rainbow Spirit Elders and a range of First Nations leaders including Anne Pattel-Gray. A recent volume that reflects his colonial awareness is Acknowledgement of the Land and Faith of Aboriginal Custodians after Following the Abraham Trail.
