The Writings: Job–Sirach

Abstract

The WritingsJob–Sirach Christopher T. Begg, Fred W. Guyette, and J. Edward Owens 633. [Revelatory Hermeneutics in Wisdom Literature] Mark J. Boda, "Knowledge from Above: Revelatory Hermeneutics within Wisdom Literature," The Spirit Says, 131-47 [see #910]. My study has raised a serious question about the characterization of wisdom by those studying this tradition in the OT. Typically, the core wisdom tradition is identified with the Book of Proverbs and its countless traditional sayings beginning with chap. 10. The Books of Job and Ecclesiastes are then classified as "revolts" against this core wisdom tradition, which call into question the tradition itself or the interpretation of human experience that created it. In the above approach, wisdom is gained by learning the tradition and experiencing activities that require a long life and thus gives preference to the elderly. The court stories of Joseph and Solomon, not to mention that of Daniel, however, stand in stark contrast to this view of wisdom. They depict young people who are given wisdom by God with little or no mention of their acquisition of past tradition. Rather, revelatory experiences are key to these figures' acquisition of wisdom. While such observations might lead us to identify the court stories as further "revolts" against the core wisdom tradition, the fact that so much of the wisdom material must be identified as "revolt" raises serious questions about the legitimacy of what is taken to be the core of the OT wisdom tradition. Indeed, close attention to the Book of Proverbs here has highlighted the way in which even what is deemed "traditional wisdom" is framed by references to revelatory resources for the acquisition of wisdom. [Adapted from author's conclusion, p. 147—C.T.B.] [End Page 215] 634. [Transformation in the Wisdom Books of the HB and its application to the context of Southern Africa] S. Fischer, "Transformation in the Wisdom Books of the Hebrew Bible and its application to the context of Southern Africa," AcTSup 32 (2021) 232-57. My article deals with the transformation of theology and society through biblical wisdom. Its first section explores the various spheres of wisdom and the significance of King Solomon for the biblical wisdom tradition. The second section shows how the Books of Job and Proverbs transformed other parts of the HB. My third part looks at how Southern African theology and society might be transformed by these two books. Specifically, I view the figure of Job as a paradigm for HIV-positive people. I discuss the Book of Proverbs on the basis of the ubuntu principle and the post-colonial approach of imbokodo. I further show that African folk songs can be relevant for the transformation of Southern African university education and how biblical proverbs might transform African folk proverbs. In conclusion, I propose that secular society should function in such a way as to enable a variety of religious traditions. [Adapted from published abstract—C.T.B.] 635. [Sophia as an anima figure? A Jungian reading of OT texts] Christophe Gripon, "Sophia, figure d'anima? Proposition d'une lecture jungienne de quelques textes de l'Ancien Testament," LavTP 76 (3, 2020) 421-43. I propose an interpretation of biblical personified Wisdom as a anima-figure, i.e., the unconscious feminine part of humans basing myself on C. G. Jung's model of the psyche, while also critiquing Jung's "sophiotology" as he develops this in his Answer to Job. Such a psychological approach to Wisdom can contribute to the discussion concerning its elusive character and the relationship between transcendent and immanent wisdom. [Translated and adapted from author's abstract—C.T.B.] 636. [The Family of Job in MT and LXX Job and the Testament of Job] Walter Bührer, "La famille de Job dans les différents livres de Job. Le texte hébreu, la Septante et le Testament de Job en comparison," TZ 77 (4, 2021) 290-337. My essay discusses the different functions of Job's children, his wife or wives, and Job's family of origin in relation to representations and interpretations of the figure of Job. Comparison of the three documents cited in my title leads...