Showing papers in "Horizons in Biblical Theology in 2001"
6 citations
TL;DR: The notion of a "canon in a canon" is all too true in the treatment of biblical narratives as discussed by the authors, and it is worth noting that the book of Judges is not always thought of as being a moral or ethical resource.
Abstract: In recent years, there has been a growing realization of the value of narratives in shaping moral behavior. In reference to this situation, Bruce Birch and Larry Rasmussen critique the fact that only portions of Scripture that address ethical concerns directly, such as the Decalogue or law codes, have been used in ethical reflection. Birch and Rasmussen are of the opinion that a wide variety of biblical material witnesses, including narratives, have the potential to serve as moral resources.2 However, in ethical treatments of biblical narratives, the notion of a "canon in a canon" is all too true. Accordingly, the Judges narratives are not always thought of as being theological or ethical resources. A good example of this is Birch's comment in his book on Old Testament ethics, Let Justice Roll Down: ' The book of Judges gives us stories of crisis and heroes, interpreted for us by a historian's framework of apostasy and deliverance-a way of understanding the difficult period of triumphs and tragedies. Space considerations do not allow a detailed treatment of all these narratives and their diverse themes.3 3
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TL;DR: Despite the obvious importance of this theological use of kingship language about God in the Psalms, however, the royal metaphor has been severely criticized in recent years as discussed by the authors, as if it were but a crass attempt to justify and sustain the oppressive regime of a very narrow power elite, and thus of little enduring theological significance.
Abstract: throne There are no doubt other royal images or metaphors used of God in the Psalms that also point to Israel's portrayal of God as king, but these are sufficient to point to the importance of this royal metaphor for Israel's understanding of God. Despite the obvious importance of this theological use of kingship language about God in the Psalms, however, the royal metaphor has been severely criticized in recent years. It is often disparaged as if it were but a crass attempt to justify and sustain the oppressive regime of a very narrow power elite, and thus of little enduring theological significance. This critique, though it does address a potential problem with the metaphor, is grossly exaggerated. It has simply paid insufficient attention to the rich complexity in the actual ways in which the theological metaphor has functioned in the course of Israel's history.
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