Controversial texts in the Old Testament

This course examines controversial texts of the Hebrew Bible from the point of view of the contemporary Christian reader. The texts discussed often played - not only in the contemporary discourse, but throughout the history of the Old Testament hermeneutics - an important role in challenging the relevance and normativity of the Old Testament for modern theological thinking. The course reveals the history of the interpretation of these texts and seeks the hermeneutical key through which the texts can retain their legitimacy in the canon of the Christian church and beyond.

Competences

Specific competences

The student will become aware of the differences in the hermeneutical principles of the original authors of the Old Testament and the modern reader. He/she will be able to apply the hermeneutical considerations learned in the case studies to any problematic biblical text.

General competences

By confronting critical situations in the Old Testament, the student develops a nuanced attitude toward situations that differ from the ordinary. The course develops the student's critical thinking, discernment and reflection skills.

Course structure

# Title
1 Introduction. Is the Old Testament a Christian text?
2 It repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth (Gen 6:6) – Limits and possibilities of Old Testament theology
3 The LORD thy God is a jealous God (Deut 6:15) – Exclusivism and intolerance in the Old Testament
4 I loved Jacob and I hated Esau (Mal 1:2-3) – Election and rejection
5 O God, to whom vengeance belongs, show thyself (Zsolt 94:1) – The place of negative emotions in Israel's faith
6 I will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the children (Ex 20:5) – The problem of collective responsibility in the Old Testament
7 Did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese? (Job 10:10) – The unknown faces of Old Testament anthropology
8 The LORD encountered him and sought to kill him (Ex 4,24) - Is the God of the Old Testament dangerous?
9 Spare no one, but kill alike men and women(1Sam 15:3) - Holy war?
10 Take your favored one, and offer him as a burnt offering (Gen 22:2) - Unrealistic ethical standards?
11 Vanity of vanities! (Préd 1:2) - Philosophy of life from the margins of the Old Testament
12 He cursed them in the name of the LORD (2 Kgs 2:24) – Holiness and worldview in the Old Testament
13 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb 10:31) - The other face of the New Testament
14 Evaluation

Total estimated time

Classroom study Course Seminar Practice
2 hours/week 2 0 0
28 hours/semester 28 0 0
Individual study Hours/sem
Total estimated time 88
Studying course notes and bibliography 40
Further documentation in libraries, electronic platforms, or on the field 20
Preparing essays, papers, or documentation 0
Personal tutoring 0
Total individual study 60

Examination

Az írásbeli vizsga a kurzus keretében tárgyalt tematikákhoz kötődik. A cél a probléma-alapú megoldási készség felmérése. Az írásbeli vizsgán egy-egy problémás textus kapcsán kell a hallgatónak arra reflektálnia, hogy az adott bibliográfia ismeretében hogyan értelmezi a megjelölt bibliai perikópát vagy tematikát.

Bibliography

Journal article

Book

Book article

  • Angel, Hayyim (2009): The Uncertainty Principle of Repentance in the Books of Jonah and Joel In: Angel, Hayyim: Revealed Texts, Hidden Meanings: Finding the Religious Significance in Tanakh . Jeruzsálem: Ktav Publishing House, 148-161 old.
  • Freedman, David Noel (1997): When God Repents. In: Divine Commitment and Human Obligation: Selected Writings of David Noel Freedman . Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 409-446 old.
  • Jeremias, Jörg (2009): JHWH – ein Gott der „Rache“? In: Karrer-Grube, Christoph: Sprachen-Bilder-Klänge. Dimensionen der Theologie im Alten Testament und in seinem Umfeld . Alter Orient und Altes Testament 359. Münster: Ugarit Verlag, 89-104 old.
  • Zenger, Erich (2004): Rache. In: Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart 7.. Tübingen: J. C. B. Mohr (Paul Siebeck), 11-12 old.