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God's Favorites: Judaism, Christianity, and the Myth of Divine Chosenness
A noted biblical scholar explores how the claim of divine choice has been used from ancient times to the present to justify territorial expansion and prejudice.
The Bible describes many individuals and groups as specially chosen by God. But does God choose at all? Michael Coogan explains the temporally layered and allusive storytelling of biblical texts and describes the world of the ancient Near East from which it emerged, laying bare the power struggles, the acts of vengeance, and persecutions made sacred by claims of chosenness.
Jumping forward to more modern contexts, Coogan reminds us how the self-designation of the Puritan colonizers of New England as God's new Israel eventually morphed, in the United States, into the self-justifying doctrines of manifest destiny and American exceptionalism. In contemporary Israel, both fundamentalist Zionists and their evangelical American partners cite the Jews' status as God's chosen people as justification for taking land--for very different ends. Appropriated uncritically, the Bible has thus been used to reinforce exclusivity and superiority, with new myths based on old myths.
Finally, in place of the pernicious idea of chosenness, Coogan suggests we might instead focus on another key biblical concept: taking care of the immigrant and the refugee, reminding the reader of the unusual focus on the vulnerable in both the Hebrew Bible and New Testament.
The Bible describes many individuals and groups as specially chosen by God. But does God choose at all? Michael Coogan explains the temporally layered and allusive storytelling of biblical texts and describes the world of the ancient Near East from which it emerged, laying bare the power struggles, the acts of vengeance, and persecutions made sacred by claims of chosenness.
Jumping forward to more modern contexts, Coogan reminds us how the self-designation of the Puritan colonizers of New England as God's new Israel eventually morphed, in the United States, into the self-justifying doctrines of manifest destiny and American exceptionalism. In contemporary Israel, both fundamentalist Zionists and their evangelical American partners cite the Jews' status as God's chosen people as justification for taking land--for very different ends. Appropriated uncritically, the Bible has thus been used to reinforce exclusivity and superiority, with new myths based on old myths.
Finally, in place of the pernicious idea of chosenness, Coogan suggests we might instead focus on another key biblical concept: taking care of the immigrant and the refugee, reminding the reader of the unusual focus on the vulnerable in both the Hebrew Bible and New Testament.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published April 2, 2019
8 people are currently reading
778 people want to read
About the author
Michael D. Coogan
46 books49 followersMichael David Coogan is Director of Publications for the Harvard Semitic Museum and Professor of Religious Studies at Stonehill College. For several decades, he has taught an introductory course on the Hebrew Scriptures at Harvard University, as well as at Wellesley College, Boston College, and Stonehill College. One of the leading biblical scholars in the United States, he is the author of The Old Testament: A Historical and Literary Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures, and editor of the acclaimed third edition of The New Oxford Annotated Bible.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 9, 2020
This is a powerful work that rejects the Biblical idea that some groups of people, and even some sub-groups within those groups, are more "chosen" than others. This concept reminds me of George Orwell's "Animal Farm," when the usurping pigs change the motto of their farm to "All Animals are Equal, but Some are More Equal Than Others." And while many people would assert that their religion views everyone equally, there is certainly a lot of privileging of groups over others in many (most?) faiths.
Coogan disputes that, suggesting rather that religions, instead of focusing on dividing people based on "chosenness" and "non-chosenness," turn their attention to the real meat and potatoes of scripture, that is, caring for those who are most vulnerable in society. He specifically responds to our modern era's fascination with tribalism: Christian vs. non-Christian, citizen vs. noncitizen, etc., and uses the Parable of the Good Samaritan to suggest that if God intended anything for humanity, it was to watch out for each other regardless of our affiliations.
This book is not for the ideologically immunized. If you believe that the Bible (and other scripture) is not only a record of God's dealings with humanity, but a complete and 100-percent accurate and completely fathomed prediction of the future, then get ready to be challenged. Coogan argues very pointedly that groups pick and choose what they want out of the Bible in order to posit themselves as God's "chosen" people, and thus criticizes most religious assumptions about that text. If you're not prepared for a punch in the spiritual mouth, then stay away from this. If, however, you are prepared to deal critically with not only his arguments but also some of your own world frameworks, then the result will be worth the effort.
Coogan disputes that, suggesting rather that religions, instead of focusing on dividing people based on "chosenness" and "non-chosenness," turn their attention to the real meat and potatoes of scripture, that is, caring for those who are most vulnerable in society. He specifically responds to our modern era's fascination with tribalism: Christian vs. non-Christian, citizen vs. noncitizen, etc., and uses the Parable of the Good Samaritan to suggest that if God intended anything for humanity, it was to watch out for each other regardless of our affiliations.
This book is not for the ideologically immunized. If you believe that the Bible (and other scripture) is not only a record of God's dealings with humanity, but a complete and 100-percent accurate and completely fathomed prediction of the future, then get ready to be challenged. Coogan argues very pointedly that groups pick and choose what they want out of the Bible in order to posit themselves as God's "chosen" people, and thus criticizes most religious assumptions about that text. If you're not prepared for a punch in the spiritual mouth, then stay away from this. If, however, you are prepared to deal critically with not only his arguments but also some of your own world frameworks, then the result will be worth the effort.
May 9, 2024
4 1/2 stars. Great foot notes! Excellent study.
May 15, 2019
As a religious person, to me, one of the most terrifying ideas on earth is that human beings can know what God intends for them and for others as nations. In other words, theocracy horrifies me. Mr. Coogan's book clearly explains why.
All too often, we human beings tell ourselves that our group--and only ours--is the group the Creator loves and chooses. If we are the only loved group, then all other groups must be ignored at best, or else hated. And if God hates those other people--well, he wants them dead. Doesn't he?
Well, no. He or she doesn't. If there is a God who created the universe, how could that God be so petty as to command the destruction of innocent men, women, children, and animals? How could that God deal in real estate and appoint kings to rule over others?
Mr. Coogan shows clearly that many peoples of the ancient Near East, not just the Jews, saw themselves as chosen. He shows that, in many cases, their gods acted the same way, commanding them to kill every person and animal in cities they conquered. So Yahweh isn't unique.
He also looks at these beliefs within their historical period. For example, on page 45, Coogan explains: "In the biblical narrative, the Israelites' escape from Egypt under Moses and their entry into the Promised Land under Joshua was followed by two centuries of instability. This was caused in part by their decentralized political structure: twelve loosely affiliated tribes...who were often at the mercy of better organized states on their borders. For the biblical writers, however, this was not the inevitable result of the strong defeating the weak; rather, it was divinely imposed punishment for the Israelites' failures to worship only Yahweh."
Coogan is agnostic, though a former believer. As such, his main thrust is that the entire myth of chosenness is untrue and very harmful. He asserts that the gods--whether Marduk or Yahweh--never chose any people. Rather, people choose a god or gods and then make these divine beings in their own image.
That's surely true as far as it goes. We are all much too inclined to remake the Creator according to our own wishes, especially when we claim to be chosen. But, as a believer, I think there is, in fact, truth in myth, and it would be good to know the difference between mythic truth and scientific truth.
People like Wes Howard-Brook and Richard Rohr are a good deal better at dealing with the truths of biblical myth than Coogan. What he does here is limited, but it is well worth reading and thinking about.
And chosenness is an absolutely toxic belief. It's awful that people still believe it and act on it.
(Note: According to these other authors, there was no flight out of Egypt, for example. What Howard-Brook says this myth points to is fascinating! And his interpretation in no way invalidates the spiritual truths of the myth. Coogan, by contrast, thinks someone names Moses may have led a small group of escaping slaves. But--if, as the other scholars assert, Canaan was actually part of Egypt when the group fled, where would they have fled to? Howard-Brook just makes more sense.)
All too often, we human beings tell ourselves that our group--and only ours--is the group the Creator loves and chooses. If we are the only loved group, then all other groups must be ignored at best, or else hated. And if God hates those other people--well, he wants them dead. Doesn't he?
Well, no. He or she doesn't. If there is a God who created the universe, how could that God be so petty as to command the destruction of innocent men, women, children, and animals? How could that God deal in real estate and appoint kings to rule over others?
Mr. Coogan shows clearly that many peoples of the ancient Near East, not just the Jews, saw themselves as chosen. He shows that, in many cases, their gods acted the same way, commanding them to kill every person and animal in cities they conquered. So Yahweh isn't unique.
He also looks at these beliefs within their historical period. For example, on page 45, Coogan explains: "In the biblical narrative, the Israelites' escape from Egypt under Moses and their entry into the Promised Land under Joshua was followed by two centuries of instability. This was caused in part by their decentralized political structure: twelve loosely affiliated tribes...who were often at the mercy of better organized states on their borders. For the biblical writers, however, this was not the inevitable result of the strong defeating the weak; rather, it was divinely imposed punishment for the Israelites' failures to worship only Yahweh."
Coogan is agnostic, though a former believer. As such, his main thrust is that the entire myth of chosenness is untrue and very harmful. He asserts that the gods--whether Marduk or Yahweh--never chose any people. Rather, people choose a god or gods and then make these divine beings in their own image.
That's surely true as far as it goes. We are all much too inclined to remake the Creator according to our own wishes, especially when we claim to be chosen. But, as a believer, I think there is, in fact, truth in myth, and it would be good to know the difference between mythic truth and scientific truth.
People like Wes Howard-Brook and Richard Rohr are a good deal better at dealing with the truths of biblical myth than Coogan. What he does here is limited, but it is well worth reading and thinking about.
And chosenness is an absolutely toxic belief. It's awful that people still believe it and act on it.
(Note: According to these other authors, there was no flight out of Egypt, for example. What Howard-Brook says this myth points to is fascinating! And his interpretation in no way invalidates the spiritual truths of the myth. Coogan, by contrast, thinks someone names Moses may have led a small group of escaping slaves. But--if, as the other scholars assert, Canaan was actually part of Egypt when the group fled, where would they have fled to? Howard-Brook just makes more sense.)
August 5, 2021
This was a thoughtful and readable breakdown of one of the most pernicious "biblical" ideas out there: the idea that God chooses any group of people as his "favorites." I think we can also extend this to individual creeds or denominations.
I grew up in a "one true church" religious environment, and a lot of other people grew up in different "true churches," all of them fully convinced that their thing was FOR REALSIES the only single true church on the face of the earth. By dismantling the assumptions about what it means for a church to be "true" (like why we've only just now figured out how to be saved, after 2000 years of controversies and biblical interpretation) we can learn how to cooperate and see our own place in the expanding story of humanity's efforts to understand God.
I grew up in a "one true church" religious environment, and a lot of other people grew up in different "true churches," all of them fully convinced that their thing was FOR REALSIES the only single true church on the face of the earth. By dismantling the assumptions about what it means for a church to be "true" (like why we've only just now figured out how to be saved, after 2000 years of controversies and biblical interpretation) we can learn how to cooperate and see our own place in the expanding story of humanity's efforts to understand God.
September 17, 2025
Most people want to feel special or "Chosen" by God. But that begs the question, "doesn't God love all his children equally?"
The tribalistic urge to establish oneself as the exclusive or favored group has wreaked havoc, instigated wars and allowed the terrible mistreatment of "others" throughout history.
I highly recommend this book.
The tribalistic urge to establish oneself as the exclusive or favored group has wreaked havoc, instigated wars and allowed the terrible mistreatment of "others" throughout history.
I highly recommend this book.
August 15, 2019
Despite having read dozens of books on religious and Biblical history, I've never come across any that tackle this particular subject in such depth. "God's Favorites" shows how from ancient times people have claimed that a god had chosen them and they were therefor justified in their actions. This tradition has been carried on for centuries, from Europeans claiming that America was the "New Jerusalem", to Colonialism, to the conflict between Israel and Palestine, divine exceptionalism has shaped human history with deadly consequences. Below is an exert from the last chapter:
"No one any longer think that the Babylonian god Marduk chose Cyrus, the king of Persia, to rule Babylon as Cyrus claimed: that is a myth... Similarly, just because the Bible says so doesn't mean that Yahweh chose Cyrus to rule over Babylon and to allow Judeans exiled there to return to the Promise Land. Attributing victory and defeat or the rise and fall of empires to a deity is mythical, whether that deity is Marduck, Jupiter, or the Biblical god. The claim that an individual or a group has been divinely chosen is also mythical.
In my view gods do not choose people, either groups or individuals. Rather, people choose a god an then assert that that god has chosen them or their ancestors. The assertion enable them to identify themselves as superior to their neighbors... They project onto their god their own self-importance. Appropriated uncritically, the Bible has thus been used to reinforce exclusivity and superiority, with new myths based on old myths."
"No one any longer think that the Babylonian god Marduk chose Cyrus, the king of Persia, to rule Babylon as Cyrus claimed: that is a myth... Similarly, just because the Bible says so doesn't mean that Yahweh chose Cyrus to rule over Babylon and to allow Judeans exiled there to return to the Promise Land. Attributing victory and defeat or the rise and fall of empires to a deity is mythical, whether that deity is Marduck, Jupiter, or the Biblical god. The claim that an individual or a group has been divinely chosen is also mythical.
In my view gods do not choose people, either groups or individuals. Rather, people choose a god an then assert that that god has chosen them or their ancestors. The assertion enable them to identify themselves as superior to their neighbors... They project onto their god their own self-importance. Appropriated uncritically, the Bible has thus been used to reinforce exclusivity and superiority, with new myths based on old myths."
June 10, 2019
Oof. Reading this book was like removing the rose-colored glasses from my eyes that I didn’t even know were there. Actually, the glasses had started chipping during my religion class this semester when I began discovering some pretty massive inconsistencies, but this book ripped them off completely.
Coogan is an author I hold deep respect for. He writes with objectivity and yet still at the beginning of the book is forward with his own potential biases coming from his background.
He knows what he’s talking about when it comes to history, language and and context of the ancient near east. He’s also fluent in political and social movements of more recent history.
Coogan explores etiologies and origin stories, to election and theodicy, to inerrancy and authority, to supersessionism, to Zionist movements, to modern day politics and ideologies of nativism and othering. Fully encompassing all the complexities and the deadly consequences of divine chosenness (exceptionalism, war, racism, bigotry, and genocide) he is still able to admit that despite these things, the Bible offers noble and timeless truth and wisdom.
I will be unpacking this one for a while. Glad I took notes.
Coogan is an author I hold deep respect for. He writes with objectivity and yet still at the beginning of the book is forward with his own potential biases coming from his background.
He knows what he’s talking about when it comes to history, language and and context of the ancient near east. He’s also fluent in political and social movements of more recent history.
Coogan explores etiologies and origin stories, to election and theodicy, to inerrancy and authority, to supersessionism, to Zionist movements, to modern day politics and ideologies of nativism and othering. Fully encompassing all the complexities and the deadly consequences of divine chosenness (exceptionalism, war, racism, bigotry, and genocide) he is still able to admit that despite these things, the Bible offers noble and timeless truth and wisdom.
I will be unpacking this one for a while. Glad I took notes.
September 10, 2019
Easily readable considering the heavier topic. This is a timely current message using reason and logic from one of society's preeminent Biblical scholars. The discussion on tribalism can be applied to society in general and is relatable. The concept of "chosenness" is unpacked in easy to understand language. I wont get into anything that'd be considered spoiler-y but to give some info to this review, Coogan explains how Biblical writers were writing for their times and were influenced by place, politics, and tribalism. Some may agree, some may disagree. You will need to read it to decide ;)
I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review
I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review
August 30, 2023
I was very happy with this book! I was expecting a bit more of a short scholarly work, but Coogan did a fantastic job at developing the basis for divine chosenness throughout the Biblical texts and history, particularly for Jews and Christians, and in doing so, he outlined the majority of the Bible and history into the present times very succinctly and adequately. I believe even the most ignorant about the Bible would be able to read this and follow it just as easily as the scholar would and thus this acts as a great example of how to write for the non-academic!
July 15, 2019
This is a compelling little book. It breaks down the danger of assuming one's personal group is chosen of God, with examples from Biblical times to the concentration camps of today. The examples Coogan uses are striking.
-1 star because I would have liked to see more psychology of chosenness, but I also understand edgar Dr. Coogan is a Biblical scholar, and that would be straying a bit too far from his wheelhouse.
-1 star because I would have liked to see more psychology of chosenness, but I also understand edgar Dr. Coogan is a Biblical scholar, and that would be straying a bit too far from his wheelhouse.
February 20, 2020
A pretty academic look at, well, "the Myth of Divine Chosenness." God, here, is YHWH specifically.
This started off real slow for me but picked up steam as his examples got more and more recent. If you're more familiar with the Bible than I, maybe you like the beginning more than I did. I'd call his commentary on American and Jewish Zionist exceptionalism scathing.
This started off real slow for me but picked up steam as his examples got more and more recent. If you're more familiar with the Bible than I, maybe you like the beginning more than I did. I'd call his commentary on American and Jewish Zionist exceptionalism scathing.
March 26, 2019
Absolutely fantastic! If you are interested in The Bible, the history and discussions from the Bible presented here should be read by those of all faiths, traditions, spiritual inclinations, as well as secular or non-believers. Loved this book.
July 11, 2019
Demonstrated how easily a group can claim "chosenness" by manipulation of a few Bible verses and removing them from context.
Using the Bible itself and historical context the author shows the concept to be nonsense.
Using the Bible itself and historical context the author shows the concept to be nonsense.
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October 27, 2019An interesting study on the notion of being chosen by a god - namely, the Judeochristian one - and how humanity has used same chosen status as an excuse to oppress anyone who does not follow their religion.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews