Through the looking glass: Reflections on the re-evangelization of Europe through a post-colonial reading of Isaiah 2:1–5

Abstract

ABSTRACTIsaiah 2:1–5 presents a vision of the nations streaming to Jerusalem to learn the ways of Yahweh. The dominant metaphor is the mountain of the Lord that serves as the religious, legal and moral centre of this envisioned world. From this mountain, Yahweh will provide a rulership of peace that is marked by the absence of war. This paper explores this passage from a post-colonial perspective. First, this paper will explore the use of Isaiah 2:1–5 within the context of eighth century Judah as a religious and political polemic against Assyria. The language of Isaiah depicts the enormity of the Assyrian power, highlighting issues of colonial dominance and imperial ideology. Secondly, it explores the passage from a literary perspective to uncover the ideas inherent in colonialism and imperialism within the language. Ideas of the idealized and privileged centre (symbolized by the mountain of the Lord) are contrasted with the negative representation of the nations at the periphery. This is then read through the lens of Acts 1:8 of the outpouring of the Spirit commencing in Jerusalem and spreading to the ends of the earth. The paper then concludes with a reflection on the possible applications of this reading of Isaiah 2:1–5 for the hope for the re-evangelization of Europe within contemporary Pentecostalism.