Annotation
The course deals with the basic theological concepts of the Old Testament, its sources, its forms of expression, and their interrelation. The concepts are analysed both in their diachronic development and in their synchronic canonical composition. The course focuses on the particular cases of this conceptualisation as they have been materialized in the plethora of Old Testament theologies written since the late 1700s. The objective of the course is to equip the students with the ability both a) to interpret biblical texts theologically and b) to make theological judgements taking into account the main thrust of biblical polyphony.
The course discusses the following themes:
– The goals and functions of the Theology of the OT
– The difference between an OT theology and biblical narrative
– The difference between an OT theology and a history of its religion
– The difference between an OT theology and a systematic theology
– The ways the Old Testament relates to the New Testament
– Is there a Jewish theology of the Hebrew Bible?