What is the purpose of reading the Bible? Elisabeth SchsslerFiorenza tackles the tough question of the Bible's role in theworld today and how its vision can further a more just world. Sheshows particularly the radical power of the Word to challengeimperial ways, the humiliation of persons, and the use of religionitself to keep people down, today as then. Finally, she offers anunderstanding of the implications of such a program for thefield and practice of biblical studies, an indispensable partner inchallenging the status quo.