Abstract:
This article focuses on Max Weber’s views on the power of religious ideas. Ideas shape the world by creating groups following their own interests. Weber also illustrates how one idea (the covenant) shaped Israel into a nation and how one group (the priests) formed the Israelite society by imposing their views (which can be found in the laws) on the believing community. Closely related to ideas is a rationality by means of which Israel defined their religious identity. The article concludes with the challenge to take Weber seriously in all our Old Testament endeavours.
