Below you will find pages that utilize the taxonomy term “Introduction to Old Testament”
Synopses
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Morrow
Self styled objectivity blind to own biases and produced
Not to deny many gains from modern historical criticism
Unwittingly take sides in battle between throne and altar
Three periods 1. from Muslim polemics to medieval Christian theology 2. renaissance, reformation, wars of religion 3. enlightenment and 19C historical criticism
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Ibn Hazm’s polemic against Judaism cause at least in part by personal sense of being slighted by Jews Attacked Moses authorship of Pentateuch in order to undermine the idea of divine authorship No attempt to be balanced but solely searching for insupportable [in his view] ideas. Attacked allegorical interpretation which was adopted by medieval Christianity by the likes of marsilus of Padua and William of Ockham. Disdain for allegorical interpretation accompanied by emphasis on sensus literalis Both received patronage from ludvig of Bavaria who was in conflict with the papacy. Thus their criticism of allegory and preference for historical interpretation of scripture supported ludvigs desire to overturn the pope’s temporal authority in Italy
Synopses
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Bostock
Allegory is derived from the Greek word allegorein meaning 'to say one thing openly but to imply something else'
Allegorical interpretation first emerged from Stoicism and by the first century AD was the dominant way to interpret all philosophy and was always didactic on purpose. As Christianity spread into the Hellenized world it became natural that scripture would also be interpreted this way given the purpose of scripture is to reveal God to humanity. Indeed, Jesus use of parables might be taken as endorsement of such interpretation. Though CH Dodd strongly disagreed.
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Three key questions
Chapter 1 - What are the keys to understanding the OT?
An overview of OT study: attractions and obstacles
The attractions of the OT
1. Gripping stories
[Contrary to Richter] Longman finds Christians increasingly attracted to OT.
'spell-binding plots', 'vivid characters'
Paul says [1 Cor 10:1-11] that these are warnings against behaviour such as Solomon’s who lost a kingdom as a result of his marriages to foreign wives [1 Kings].
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The Epic of Eden
Introduction
Most people have a hodge-podge of knowledge of the old testament but no coherent structure. Richter suggests there are three reasons for this:
Never been taught the OT is their story. Both story and God different to the NT and to Jesus, even unnecessary.
OT is inaccessible for historical, geographical, cultural, linguistic etc. reasons.
The 'dysfunctional closet syndrome'.
OT as your story
OT is two thirds of the Bible and redemption story but treated as 'unfortunate preface'. Yet the characters are unknown to us as close relatives may be to an Alzheimer’s sufferer.