Exegesis

2019 ◽  
pp. 262-276
Author(s):  
Donald Wood
Keyword(s):  
Church Dogmatics ◽  
Scriptural Interpretation ◽  
Academic Activity ◽  
Scriptural Exegesis ◽  
Biblical Texts ◽  
Selection Of

This chapter examines the role and character of scriptural exegesis in Barth’s theology. The interpretation and exposition of the biblical texts was not of merely incidental or sporadic interest to Barth. On the contrary, scriptural exegesis was a fundamental and pervasive feature of both his pastoral and his academic activity, which remains inexplicable apart from attention to its exegetical coordinates. Study of Barth’s exegesis involves attending to three topics: his conception of the nature and authority of scripture; his portrayal of the grounds, tasks, and ends of scriptural interpretation; and his concrete exegetical practices and proposals. Engaging a selection of Barth’s writings from his Safenwil pastorate through the first volume of the Church Dogmatics, this chapter outlines some major features of Barth’s doctrine of scripture and theology of scriptural interpretation, observes the capacity of his exegesis to provoke strong critical reaction, and identifies opportunities for further research.

scholarly journals The Nature of Theology and the Extent of the Atonement

Perichoresis ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 3-18
Author(s):  
Stephen R. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Fourth Century ◽  
Gregory Of Nyssa ◽  
2 Corinthians ◽  
Doctrine Of The Trinity ◽  
Scriptural Exegesis ◽  
Biblical Texts ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
English Baptist ◽  
The Trinity

Abstract This article considers the post-Reformation debates over the extent of the Atonement. It traces the origins of these debates from the articles of the Arminian Remonstrance of 1610 through the declarations of the supporters of the Synod of Dort in 1618-19. The debate is then considered in relation to an English Baptist context, and specifically the exegetical dispute over the meaning of the word ‘all’ in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 and Romans 3:23-4. Three options are examined and the various difficulties in arbitrating between these various interpretations. Recognising these difficulties, the article goes on to explore the relationship between scriptural exegesis and theology with reference to the formulation of the ecumenical doctrine of the Trinity in the fourth century. It argues that while theology should always attempt to be consistent with the exegetical data on occasion it proves inconclusive, as in the case of the debate over the extent of the atonement. In such cases the role of theology becomes one of mediation as it seeks a way of reading the texts of Scripture that allows them to be heard without contradicting each other. Again, this is illustrated from the fourth century and the Christology of Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nyssa. Returning to the question of atonement with this understanding of the task of theology the article seeks to propose a way to reconcile the biblical texts which speak of the atonement as both universal and limited.

Levi's Elevation to the Priesthood in Second Temple Writings

1993 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Kugel
Keyword(s):  
Special Functions ◽  
Second Temple ◽  
Natural Consequence ◽  
Golden Calf ◽  
Biblical Narratives ◽  
Ancient Israel ◽  
Biblical Texts ◽  
Selection Of

In ancient Israel, the tribe of Levi was deemed to have a special connection with the service of God. Numerous biblical texts speak of the Levites asthepriestly tribe or attribute to them certain special functions connected with cultic worship. But why exactly had the Levites been selected for such honors, and how did their selection come about? Several biblical narratives appear to have been designed in order to answer this question. Thus, the selection of the Levites is at one point connected with their zealousness following the Golden Calf incident (Exod 32:25–29), while elsewhere God's choice of the Levites seems to follow as a natural consequence after the death of the Levite Aaron (see Deut 10:8) or, possibly, to be the result of Moses' words in his final blessing of this tribe before his death (Deut 33:8– 10).

A Text with Teeth: Augustine’s Exegesis of Song of Songs 4:2 as Paradigm of His Hermeneutics

2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert P. Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Song Of Songs ◽  
Christian Doctrine ◽  
Scriptural Interpretation ◽  
Modern Reader ◽  
Love Of God ◽  
Biblical Texts ◽  
The Church

In the second book of his treatise on scriptural interpretation, On Christian Doctrine, Augustine introduces the theme of the obscurity of some biblical texts with a quotation from the notoriously difficult Song of Songs: ‘‘Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes coming up from the washing, which all give birth to twins, and there is not one among them that is barren’’ (4:2). Unsurprisingly, he finds references to baptism and the double commandment of love of God and neighbour. What strikes a modern reader is Augustine’s unembarrassed use of violent imagery to describe how the saints cut off errors and then chew the newly converted until they are soft for digestion by the Church. In later texts, Augustine will advert to the violence of biblical imagery to emphasize the necessity of transformation into the likeness of God and to reinforce the eschatological hope of the Church. This paper will examine the role of difficulty and obscurity in Augustine’s understanding of the process by which Scripture forms and orients its readers to prepare them for the vision of heaven.

scholarly journals The trees in the middle of Paradise (Gn 2:9) during the Great Lent: Orthodox hymnography as biblical interpretation

2021 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Constantin H. Oancea
Keyword(s):  
New Testament ◽  
Biblical Interpretation ◽  
Tree Of Life ◽  
Direct Connection ◽  
Interesting Aspect ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The New Testament ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Biblical Texts ◽  
Selection Of

The article examines the interpretation of the Scripture in Byzantine hymnography during the Great Lent. Some notable recent contributions focus on Andrew of Crete’s and Romanos the Melodist’s compositions, illustrating the hymnographic way of understanding the Scriptures. The author of this study presents a selection of stanzas from hymns of the Triodion that refer to the trees of Paradise. Hymnography perceives the trees in Genesis 2–3 in direct connection with the cross. Only rarely is the tree of life a metaphor for Jesus, as the shadow of the tree of the cross is seldom a metaphor for protection. Another interesting aspect in relation to hymnography is the fact that it represents a type of intertextual exegesis of biblical texts. Hymnographers interpret passages from Genesis by using texts from Psalms, Prophets and especially from the New Testament, combining images and biblical texts in the depiction of liturgical moments.Contribution: Compared with previous research, this article discusses some rare hymnographic interpretations (shadow of the cross; cross in the middle of the earth). The analysis accentuates that the hymnic approach to the Scripture is a form of intertextual exegesis.

Biblical Border Slippage and Feminist Postcolonial Criticism

2020 ◽  
pp. 229-246
Author(s):  
Judith E. McKinlay
Keyword(s):  
Critical Theory ◽  
Postcolonial Studies ◽  
Current Work ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Postcolonial Criticism ◽  
Ethical Choices ◽  
Biblical Texts ◽  
Good And Evil ◽  
Biblical Figures ◽  
Selection Of

The essay takes as its cue the biblical figures of Eve and Wisdom, both of whom slip through the divine/human border. Eve brings knowledge of good and evil and Wisdom offers a concern for human ethical choices. For what characterizes feminist and postcolonial studies is the hope and ideal of a future of respect for all. A discussion of feminist postcolonial critical theory and current work in the field assesses that despite differing methodologies scholars share a concern for the ways in which women are represented and frequently “othered” in border-slipping texts. The study also considers a selection of biblical texts from a range of eras and political circumstances to illustrate these varying representations. The essay concludes with a reflection on the significance of the work and attempts to predict future directions.

Gender Biases in Qur'ānic Exegesis: A Study of Scriptural Interpretation from a Gender Perspective

Hawwa ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasaruddin Umar
Keyword(s):  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Gender Perspective ◽  
Scriptural Interpretation ◽  
Gender Biases ◽  
Scriptural Exegesis ◽  
Qur'anic Exegesis

AbstractThis paper scrutinizes some gender biases residing in Scriptural exegesis—especially Qur'ānic interpretations—that exist and grow in Muslim societies. Most Muslims believe that the existing Qur'ānic exegesis is taken for granted, so it cannot be examined any more. As a matter of fact, an interpretation is man-made, which is not eternal. An interpretation is a product of an exegete. Therefore, Muslims actually can create many approaches to understanding the Qur'ān. However, this does not imply that the methodological approach utilized here is solely suitable for the Qur'ān. Perhaps, other Scriptures and religions can benefit from this approach. And when we talk about Scripture, we cannot avoid relating it to other subjects such as religion, culture, norms, values, language and so on. Since the Scripture is a part of religion, then the religion also becomes subject to examination. However, this study will only focus on the Scriptural exegesis, while the topic of religion will be used only when it is necessary.

“Dass jede einzelne Sache, für die Israel sein Leben gab, in seinen Händen Bestand haben sollte . . .”: Individuelle und regional unabhängige Religiosität in der Mekhilta des Rabbi Jischmael

2010 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 244-285
Author(s):  
Susanne Plietzsch
Keyword(s):  
Religious Practice ◽  
Individual Responsibility ◽  
Biblical Texts ◽  
The Temple ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Jewish Religion ◽  
Land Of Israel

AbstractThis paper argues that Mekhilta de-Rabbi Yishmael (MekhY) is distinguishing between local realities of Jewish religion (like the Temple, the Davidic kingdom, full jurisdiction, and even the land of Israel) and a local independent religiosity based on individual responsibility. MekhY pursues the interest to strengthen a regional independent Judaism of individual religious practice and deduces this concept from the Exodus-Sinai narrative. Shabbat is mentioned time and again as a paradigm of this perception of Jewish religiosity. The exegetical interest of MekhY can be shown already by its selection of Biblical texts, this will furthermore be demonstrated by means of four passages of this Midrash.

scholarly journals Pseudo-Classicisms in Late Biblical Hebrew

2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Joosten
Keyword(s):  
Strong Evidence ◽  
Biblical Hebrew ◽  
Scriptural Interpretation ◽  
Original Meaning ◽  
Scriptural Exegesis ◽  
Strong Claim

AbstractSeveral words and expressions turn up in ancient Hebrew texts with two sets of meanings: one old, genuine, and more often than not paralleled in cognate languages, and one late and secondary, with echoes in the ancient versions and exegetical writings. To all appearances, these are words that were reused in a meaning based on scriptural exegesis after their original meaning was forgotten. Pseudo-classicisms show that scriptural interpretation had become an institution at the time of the late biblical books. They also show that interpretation led to re-appropriation, with later authors making a strong claim to continuity with earlier writings that had become authoritative. They provide strong evidence of diachronic evolution in ancient Hebrew. CBH and LBH are not the same language, nor even contiguous chronolects: they are separated by a period of time long enough to allow for the forgetting of many expressions, their reinterpretation in an unrelated way, and their revivification with the new meaning.

scholarly journals The crown of virginity, paradise regained: A study of Jerome’s ascetic exegesis in a selection of his works

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna C. Lamprecht
Keyword(s):  
Rhetorical Strategies ◽  
Paradise Regained ◽  
Ascetic Ideal ◽  
Union With God ◽  
Biblical Texts ◽  
Sexual Renunciation ◽  
Selection Of

This article explores, in the first place, Jerome’s creation of pro-virginal propaganda in a selection of his treatises and letters, through the employment of scriptural justification by means of ascetic exegesis and rhetorical strategies. The study focuses, in particular, on his Epistulae 22 and 130, both addressed to virgins, and his treatise Adversus Iovinianum. Jerome interpreted and deployed carefully selected biblical texts and employed classical rhetorical conventions to construct his ascetic ideal mainly based on sexual renunciation. The article argues that by extolling the virginal body through metaphorical figurations and careful textualisation, this ‘apostle of virginity’ aimed to create, in the first instance, for ascetically minded virgins, a means of achieving perfection and union with God, and receiving the awards of heaven. The analysis of the selected works and of Jerome’s ascetic exegesis, however, also reveals some significant markers, indicating his own carefully disguised quest for personal redemption and regaining paradise.

Cognitive gadgets and cognitive priors

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gian Domenico Iannetti ◽  
Giorgio Vallortigara
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract Some of the foundations of Heyes’ radical reasoning seem to be based on a fractional selection of available evidence. Using an ethological perspective, we argue against Heyes’ rapid dismissal of innate cognitive instincts. Heyes’ use of fMRI studies of literacy to claim that culture assembles pieces of mental technology seems an example of incorrect reverse inferences and overlap theories pervasive in cognitive neuroscience.

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