Fall 2009 New Brunswick Theological Seminary

Tuesday, 6:20 - 10:00 PM

The Religious Act: Asking the Question

The lesson of truth is not held in one consciousness. It explodes toward the other. To study well, to read well, to listen well, is already to speak: whether by asking questions and, in so doing, touching the master who teaches you, or by teaching a third party.”

--Emmanuel Levinas “Beyond the Verse: Talmudic Readings and Lectures” (1994)

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Blog Post 1 for Week of September 15

From your reading of Fewell and Gunn, briefly reflect on issues that we must deal with in analysing the character of YHWH in the Hebrew Bible.
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1 comment:

  1. eduzantSeptember 14, 2009 at 12:54 AM

    Reflection on the Character of YHWH

    The aim is to examine the character of the YHWH of the Old Testament, to discover whether it provided an appropriate basis for His virtue by resembling God (to which man should aspire). It is shown that the moral role of YHWH may reflect one of two roles in human society, as king (of this world) or as patron (of Israel), therefore providing a model for human beings. Page (81) says “One of the often remarked features of the book of Esther is the absence of God”.
    Even though Esther does not mention YHWH nevertheless there is an allusion found. Whereas her references to King Ahauerus as the only earthly monarch; her references to “the King” allude to YHWH as the heavenly King. Although YHWH is not mentioned, God promised to preserve His people. Esther is a story of YHWH working behind the scenes.
    A discussion of Exodus on page (85) shows that forgiveness is for human beings, as for God, a right rather than an obligation. YHWH behaves in the story in ways which, whether justifiable (in role of King) or not, would be inappropriate for imitation

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