Scriptural Quandaries

Synthetic Q Section 2

taylormuma — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:10:41 +0000

What does it look like to be faithful while living under an unfaithful empire?

-Esther and Daniel (Dan. as a blueprint for cultural hegemony) as archetypes – coping with colonialism

-perspective of being an oppressed minority in a vast empire (discuss current American perspective of being the powerful world empire)

-how to retain identity by resisting enculturation

-Israelite reactions to exile

-role of the Assyrian and Persian Empires in shaping early Judaism…and the move to the Hellenistic Period

-sociological shift from tribal to world religion

Synthetic Q Section 2

taylormuma — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:59:32 +0000

Discuss the role of a prophet in relationship to God and to the people.

-Aderholt’s triangle

-intermediary

-outsiders and insiders: self-identifying with the community; Jonah and Amos as exceptions

-call statements define vocation: Is 6, Jer 1 and 20, Ez 1-3

Call Narratives

taylormuma — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:06:27 +0000

How would you compare and contrast the call narratives of Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel?

Role of a Prophet

taylormuma — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:05:15 +0000

What is the role and functions of a prophet in relationship to God and to the people?

Daughters and Sons

taylormuma — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:39:30 +0000

Ezekiel takes an interesting view of the relationship between parents and children, especially in terms of culpability for sin. His position does not always seem consistent in the book. For example, in Chapter 16 the reader finds the oft-quoted proverb “like mother, like daughter” which suggests a cyclical recurrence of sin through multiple generations. Yet Chapter 18 states that sons will not suffer for the sins of their fathers. This leaves the question: Is the difference one of generation or of gender?

taylormuma — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:33:18 +0000

Who are the three biblical figures the Ezekiel lifts up as archetypes of righteousness? Why Noah, Daniel and Job?

A Major Theme in Ezekiel

taylormuma — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:24:31 +0000

In reading through the book of Ezekiel, the recognition of the sovereignty of God appears as a dominant and recurring theme. Again and again the text states “…know that I am the Lord.” This refrain seems to be an explanation for numerous narratives throughout book.

Suffering

taylormuma — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:22:21 +0000

What are the similarities of human suffering as illuminated in Job and Eccl?

Realism & Ecclesiates

taylormuma — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:17:57 +0000

Ecclesiates depicts a reality in which both good and evil people suffer. In this respect, its views of theodicy are not so dissimilar from those of Job. It is also a realistic look into the truth of universal human suffering. Yet, the question remains, where is God in Ecclesiates? Theologically it is a beautiful concept to say that the book highlights the intrinsic value of relationship with God beyond all extrinsic rewards or suffering. That premise remains problematic to the extent that the book itself has little to say about the intrinsic relationship between God and humanity.

Righteous Suffering

taylormuma — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:11:07 +0000

The Book of Job builds upon the premise that Job is an archetypal example of righteous suffering. Does this mean that Job is blameless in terms of not breaking the law or that his is completely without sin?