Klaus Koenen

Bio: Klaus Koenen is an academic researcher. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 8 publications receiving 36 citations.

Bethel: Geschichte, Kult und Theologie

Abstract: Der arabische Ort Bētī n in den besetzten palastinensischen Gebieten, das fruhere Bethel, hat eine lange Geschichte. Sie wird hier mit Hilfe aller zur Verfugung stehenden archaologischen, ikonographischen und literarischen Quellen rekonstruiert. Dabei erweist sich die kultische Deutung chalkolithischer und bronzezeitlicher Anlagen als nicht haltbar. Fur die Eisenzeit II stehen uns fast nur literarische Quellen zur Verfugung. Im 10. Jh. hat Jerobeam I. Bethel zum Sitz des koniglichen Staatstempels gemacht. Als Kultbilder funktionierten eine Mazzebe und die Stierstatuette, auf die sich die ursprunglich positiv gemeinte Erzahlung vom „Goldenen Kalb“ (Ex 32) bezog. Das Stierbild galt nicht als Tragtier des unsichtbaren Gottes, sondern sollte Jahwe vergegenwartigen, und zwar als den machtvoll helfenden Gott, der Israel einst aus Agypten gefuhrt hatte und von dem man sich auch in Zukunft Hilfe versprach. Im 8. Jh. haben die Assyrer den Tempel geplundert und das Gottesbild verschleppt. Der Kult kam jedoch nicht zum Erliegen. Erst im 7. Jh. machte ihm Josia, der sein Gebiet nach Norden erweitern konnte, im Rahmen von Zentralisierungsmassnahmen ein Ende. Die unter Berufung auf die Ausgrabungen vertretene These, dass Bethel im 6. Jh. als Kultort fungierte und sogar Entstehungsort biblischer Schriften war, halt einer kritischen Prufung nicht stand. Von zentraler Bedeutung war fur den Ort in der Konigszeit die Betheler Theologie. Ihr Profil wird an Atiologie, die in der Bibel als Spolien erhalten sind, sowie an der Frontstellung von Amos und Hosea deutlich. Es handelt sich um eine typische Stadt-Theologie , wie wir sie aus Jerusalem und anderen Stadten des Alten Orients kennen. In Zentrum stand die tempeltheologisch begrundete Vorstellung von einer senkrechten Achse („Himmelsleiter“), die den Ort mit dem Himmel, das irdische mit dem himmlischen Heiligtum verbindet, um Gottes Gegenwart und in ihr begrundet das Heil und Wohl von Stadt und Staat auszusagen. Amos hat im Kontext der Sozialkritik, Hosea in dem der Staatskritik gegen Bethel polemisiert. Mit dem Untergang Bethels wurde die Betheler Theologie obsolet. Der Ort galt nur noch als Hort der Sunde. Die Jahwe-Verehrung uberlebte, indem sie Gott vom Kultbild trennte und nur das Bild fur illegitim erklarte, ein fur die Geschichte des Bilderverbots wichtiger Schritt. Die altehrwurdige positive Bethel-Uberlieferung musste zu einer Jakobuberlieferung transformiert oder auf Jerusalem als Ort der Gegenwart Gottes bezogen werden – ein hermeneutisch interessanter Prozess, der im Alten Testament beginnt und sich in der zwischentestamentarischen, altkirchlichen rabbinischen Literatur fortsetzt.

War die Frau von En-Dor (1Sam 28) eine Hexe?

Abstract: It i s only in the modern age, especially since the time when the persecution of witches reached its climax in Europe, that the woman of En-Dor is called a witch, i.e. a woman who causes harm by using black magic. As a result of this development, the woman is commonly called the „witch of En-Dor” even to this day and is viewed in a negative light. However, in the story in the Hebrew Bible she acts as a necromancer, i.e. as a medium able to make communication with the deceased possible, who are as a rule ancestors. Even though this activity is regarded negatively in the Old Testament, the story does not polemicize against the woman, rather against * Prof. dr hab. Klaus Koenen jest profesorem Starego Testamentu w Instytucie Teologii Ewangelickiej Wydziału Filozofi cznego Uniwersytetu w Kolonii. s. 477-496

The heavenly sanctuary/temple motif in the Hebrew bible: function and relationship to earthly counterparts

Abstract: The present dissertation seeks to ascertain the function of the heavenly sanctuary/temple and its relationship to earthly counterparts, as reflected in forty-three passages of Hebrew Bible. Thus, following an introductory chapter, the second chapter of this dissertation is devoted to a survey of the heavenly sanctuary temple motif in the ANE literature as represented by Sumerian, Akkadian, Hittite, Ugaritic, and Egyptian texts. The investigation of these texts reveals that the heavenly sanctuary/temple motif was part of the worldview of the ANE, where the heavenly sanctuary was not only assumed as existing in heaven, but also as functioning in close relationship to the earthly counterparts. Chapters 3, 4, and 5 are devoted to the exegesis of heavenly sanctuary/temple passages in the Hebrew Scriptures, according to thecanonical divisions of the Hebrew Bible (namely Torah, Prophets, and Writings). This investigation reveals the pervasive presence of the that the heavenly sanctuary/temple motif in the Hebrew Bible and provides a broad delineation of its function and relationship to earthly counterparts. It has been found that the heavenly sanctuary temple functions as a place of divine activities where YHWH supervises the cosmos, performs acts of judgment (sometimes conceived as a two-stage activity in which the execution of the sentence was preceded by an investigative phase), hears the prayers of the needy, and bestows atonement and forgiveness upon the sinners. The perceptions also emerged of the heavenly sanctuary/temple as a place of worship, a meeting place for the heavenly council, and an object of attack by anti-YHWH forces, thus playing a pivotal role in the cosmic battle between good and evil. In terms of its relationship to the earthly counterpart, it has become apparent that the heavenly sanctuary/temple was understood to operate in structural and functional correspondence to the earthly counterparts. Some texts display a dynamic interaction inasmuch as the heavenly and earthly sanctuaries/temples are conceived of as working in close connection so that the activities being performed in one would reverberate in the other. Chapter 6 presents theological synthesis of the heavenly sanctuary/temple motif based on the previous chapters. Thus, some consideration was given to the similarities and differences between the heavenly sanctuary/temple motif as found in the Hebrew Bible and in its ANE background. Next, attention is devoted to some theological implications of the heavenly sanctuary/temple motif for the notions of judgment, the great controversy between good and evil. To conclude, the notion emerges that the Hebrew Bible conceives of the heavenly sanctuary/temple in functional and structural correspondence with its earthly counterpart with both sanctuaries/temples operating dynamic interaction.

The Legacy of Israel in Judah's Bible: History, Politics, and the Reinscribing of Tradition

Abstract: The Legacy of Israel in Judah's Bible undertakes a comprehensive re-evaluation of the Bible's primary narrative in Genesis through Kings as it relates to history. It divides the core textual traditions along political lines that reveal deeply contrasting assumptions, an approach that places biblical controversies in dialogue with anthropologically informed archaeology. Starting from close study of selected biblical texts, the work moves toward historical issues that may be illuminated by both this material and a larger range of textual evidence. The result is a synthesis that breaks away from conventional lines of debate in matters relating to ancient Israel and the Bible, setting an agenda for future engagement of these fields with wider study of antiquity.

Geography In Early Judaism And Christianity (The Book of Jubilees)

Abstract: In this 2002 book, James M. Scott focuses on a particular Old Testament pseudepigraphon - the Book of Jubilees, the revelation of an angel to Moses announcing the expectation of a messiah from Judah. He traces the appropriation of the Book of Jubilees in early Christian sources from the New Testament to Hippolytus and beyond, and more specifically focuses on the reception of Jubilees 8–9, an expansion of the so-called Table of Nations in Genesis 10 (1 Chronicles 1). The book takes an interdisciplinary approach based on detailed analysis of primary sources, much of which is seldom considered by New Testament scholars, and explores the neglected topic of ancient geographical conceptions. By studying geographical aspects of the work, Dr Scott is able to relate Jubilees to both Old and New Testament traditions, bringing important new insights into Christian concepts of annunciation.

Justice, Cult, And Salvation In Isaiah 56-59: A Literary-Theological Study

Abstract: JUSTICE, CULT, AND SALVATION IN ISAIAH 56-59: A LITERARY-THEOLOGICAL STUDY by Hudyard Y. Muskita Adviser: Richard M. Davidson ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH DissertationOF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: JUSTICE, CULT, AND SALVATION IN ISAIAH 56-59: A LITERARY THEOLOGICAL STUDY Name of researcher: Hudyard Y. Muskita Name and degree of faculty adviser: Richard M. Davidson, PhD Date completed: October 2016 The main focus of this dissertation is the interconnection among the themes of justice, cult, and salvation in Isaiah 56-59. The investigation will analyze and explore the theological importance of these themes, which include questions such as, What are the descriptions of these themes in these chapters? How are they related to each other? As divine salvation is portrayed as moving back and forth from immanence to distance several times throughout this particular section of the book of Isaiah, what factors are responsible for this dynamic? What is the role of cult and social justice in this salvation? In what ways does cult affect the prevalence of justice within a community? This task is accomplished by performing a literary and theological analysis of these particular chapters in the book of Isaiah. Discussion of the literary aspects of the text employs a microstructural analysis, which starts with a syntactical display of each verse based on its strophic and clausal divisions. The display provides a basis for observation of formal rhetorical devices, especially parallelism, and for highlighting literary patterns, word repetitions, and verbal sequences, with their theological implications. This part of the study is covered in chapters 2 to 5 of the dissertation. Drawing on the findings provided in the previous chapters, chapter 6 presents systematic theological implications of the study. Thematically, the prophetic discourse in Isa 56-59 narrates God’s promise of salvation and its fulfillment. Within this thematic structure, the impossibility for humans to partake of this promised salvation is presented from social, physical, cultic, and moral perspectives. Against this backdrop, assurance of salvation is extended to those who are convinced that they (viz., foreigners and eunuchs) are excluded from it, and this assurance is also extended to God’s people, despite their moral failure. In this context, salvation is depicted as being bestowed on those who are undeserving of it; therefore it is unexpected and surprising. In Isa 56-59 the theme of salvation is presented, first and foremost, as initiated and established by God; it is the work of divine healing and restoration in humans. Yet, at the same time, in order for this process to be effective, a human response is needed. Furthermore, salvation is depicted as a quest for an encounter with the Divine, in which each member of the society may gain a meaningful and constructive experience from it on both personal and communal levels—as a result, it brings justice. It is from this particular perspective of salvation that cult plays a significant thematic role in Isa 56-59. As salvation begins with the right concept about God, in which both the people’s theological and social assumptions and practices can be in harmony with the divine character, the realization of these ideals enables salvation to be a tangible experience. In Isa 56, the description of salvation is saturated with cultic terminology. In Isa 57, the description and critique of social injustice is presented in parallel with a report of the practice of idolatry. In Isa 58, while the audience of the prophet is described as engaging in the “right” form of cultic activity, criticism over social injustice shows that worship and ethics go hand in hand. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary JUSTICE, CULT, AND SALVATION IN ISAIAH 56-59: A LITERARY-THEOLOGICAL STUDY A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Hudyard Y. Muskita October 2016 © Copyright by Hudyard Y. Muskita 2018 All Rights Reserved JUSTICE, CULT, AND SALVATION IN ISAIAH 56-59: A LITERARY-THEOLOGICAL STUDY A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by Hudyard Y. Muskita APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: _______________________________ _________________________________ Faculty Adviser, Richard M. Davidson Director of Ph.D./Th.D. Program J. N. Andrews Professor of Old Thomas Shepherd Testament Interpretation _______________________________ _________________________________ Roy E. Gane Dean, SDA Theological Seminary Professor of Hebrew Bible and Jiří Moskala Near Eastern Languages _______________________________ Jacques B. Doukhan Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament Exegesis _______________________________ _________________________________ David W. Baker Date approved Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................... x LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................... xii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................................... xiv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........................................................................................... xvii Chapter