Brevard Childs and the treasures of darkness

Contemporary biblical studies is populated by ‘comparativists' and ‘theological interpreters': scholars who read the Bible in the context of ancient artefacts, and scholars who read it in the context of Christian theology, respectively. These camps relate to one another mostly by feuding -...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scottish journal of theology
Main Author: Cornell, Collin 1988- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Cambridge Univ. Press [2018]
In: Scottish journal of theology
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Childs, Brevard S. 1923-2007 / Old Testament / Exegesis / Theology / Ancient Orient
RelBib Classification:BC Ancient Orient; religion
FA Theology
HB Old Testament
KAJ Church history 1914-; recent history
Further subjects:B Theological Interpretation
B Ancient Near East
B Brevard Childs
B Comparison
B doctrine of scripture
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:Contemporary biblical studies is populated by ‘comparativists' and ‘theological interpreters': scholars who read the Bible in the context of ancient artefacts, and scholars who read it in the context of Christian theology, respectively. These camps relate to one another mostly by feuding - or by mutual avoidance. The Old Testament theologian Brevard Childs is usually taken as a champion in the cause of theological interpretation, and so also as reinforcing one side of the disciplinary division. But under certain conditions, Childs also authorised the use of ancient artefacts (‘the treasures of darkness') for reading scripture theologically. This article reactivates the latter possibility within Childs' interpretive programme, especially through two cases studies: the first by Childs himself, when he uses the Sargon Legend to interpret Exodus 2; and the second a reprise of Childs' procedure, using the Mesha Inscription to interpret 1 Kings 22.
ISSN:1475-3065
Contains:Enthalten in: Scottish journal of theology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1017/S0036930617000655