On the Impossibility and Inevitability of Monsters in Biblical Thought

Kim Paffenroth

doi:10.1177/0020964319896306

On the Impossibility and Inevitability of Monsters in Biblical Thought

Interpretation A Journal of Bible and Theology ◽

10.1177/0020964319896306 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 74 (2) ◽

pp. 120-131

Author(s):

Kim Paffenroth

Keyword(s):

The Bible ◽

Biblical Thought

After general considerations of what constitutes a “monster,” this essay examines the examples of “monsters” in the Bible, showing that the Bible does not as frequently depict such beings as do other mythologies. The implications of this for understanding the biblical outlook on creation in general are considered, leading to the conclusion that in fact, in the Bible, it is God who is a monster, or at least, on the side of monsters, and is not to be relied on to eradicate them.

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The Wisdom of Solomon

10.5040/9780300261837 ◽

1979 ◽

Author(s):

David Winston

Keyword(s):

The Bible ◽

Single Author ◽

Judaic Studies ◽

New Knowledge ◽

Wisdom Of Solomon ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Protestant Christians ◽

Poetic Work ◽

Biblical Thought

The Anchor Bible offers new, book-by-book translations of the Old and New Testarnents and Apocrypha, with commentary. This volume on The Wisdom of Solomon as been prepared by David Winston, Professor of Hellenistic and Judaic Studies and Director of the Center for Judaic Studies at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. The Wisdom of Solomon is a long and subtly poetic work placed in the mouth of “wise” King Solomon. It blends biblical thought and Middle Platonism. David Winston thoroughly analyzes the book, presenting the philosophical situation clearly and putting forth evidence to suggest that the work was written later than is commonly supposed, during the reign of Caligula (A.D. 37-41), and by a single author. Because of its exclusion from the canon of scripture used by Jews and Protestant Christians, The Wisdom of Solomon has been neglected by biblical scholars in general. Dr. Winston's commentary is the first to thoroughly cover both previous research and recent developments such as the Qumran scrolls, papyrus discoveries in Egypt, and new knowledge of ancient Iranian religion. It is a major contribution to the study of the apocryphal literature of the Bible.

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The forgotten struggle of Albert Geyser against racism and apartheid

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies ◽

10.4102/hts.v70i1.2820 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 70 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Andries G. Van Aarde ◽

Pieter G.R. De Villiers ◽

Johan Buitendag

Keyword(s):

South African ◽

The State ◽

Alma Mater ◽

The Bible ◽

University Of Pretoria ◽

The University ◽

The Church ◽

Biblical Thought

Albertus (Albert) Stephanus Geyser (10 Feb. 1918 – 13 June 1985) was a South African cleric, scholar and anti-apartheid theologian. On 17 February 2014 his alma mater, the Faculty of Theology of the University of Pretoria, presented the first commemoration lecture in tribute to the legacy of A.S. Geyser. This article portrays the décor of this commemoration. The article addresses the need to recall his contributions by discussing his prestigious career as a young academic, his transformation into an opponent of apartheid, the opposition against and persecution of him and his protest against apartheid. It discusses Geyser’s conviction that apartheid could not be justified on the basis of the Bible and theological grounds. His activism is rooted in his biblical thought. The article reflects on Geyser’s view that the church could be a powerful presence in the state and world while not compromising its message and preaching of the gospel of peace and love.

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