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- Scheuer, Blaženka, et al.
(author)
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Jesaja
- 2009
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In: Gud och det utvalda folket. - 9789152630778
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)
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- Scheuer, Blaženka
(author)
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The Return of YHWH : The Tension between Deliverance and Repentance in Isaiah 40-55
- 2005
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The theology of Isaiah 40-55 has two seemingly contradictory aspects: the tension between the consolatory message of deliverance, and the harsh tone of accusation. In this part of the Book of Isaiah, YHWH's return to his people is demonstrated through the accumulation of declarations about YHWH's ability and his will to deliver the Israelites from the exile. At the same time, the Israelites are exhorted to return to YHWH, who is the only God for them. This raises the following questions: What is the essence of the repentance called for, and why is repentance required, once the deliverance has been carried out? Analysing these and related questions, this study arrives at a new understanding of that tension. It is argued that such tension does not necessarily disclose a different authorship, but that it expresses the basic nature of the relationship between YHWH and the Israelites, in which the actions of YHWH and the actions of the people stand in a relationship of interdependence. This implies that repentance is not a condition for deliverance, nor does deliverance condition repentance, but both these actions condition the reestablishment of the relationship between YHWH and the Israelites. It is further argued that such an understanding of the interaction of the actions was vital for the shaping of the identity of both the exiled and the non-exiled Israelite communities in the latter part of the sixth century BCE. The five main chapters of this book include a brief survey of the scholarly discussion of the prophetic call to repentance in general and of the idea of sin and repentance in Isaiah 40-55 in particular (chapter 1), an analysis of those texts in Isaiah 40-55 which, on the one hand express accusations against the Israelites, and, on the other, call for the repentance of the people (chapter 2), an investigation of the texts about the fabrication of idols together with the texts that present YHWH's dispute with the nations (chapter 3), a survey of the ideas of repentance and transformation in the Books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel (chapter 4), and a discussion of the central concepts considered, i.e. a discussion of the implications of the theology of interaction between YHWH and the Israelites, with a concluding reference to the importance of this theology for the socio-political and religious life of the Israelites in the aftermath of the Babylonian exile (chapter 5).
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- Scheuer, Blaženka
(author)
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The Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53 in Jewish and Christian Sources.
- 2008
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In: Svensk Exegetisk Årsbok (SEÅ). - 1100-2298.
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Isaiah 53 represents one of the peaks of the Hebrew Bible. It is a text that has played a significant role in Jewish thought throughout history and has also been vital for the development of the early Christian theology. The present work, a collection of essays, focuses on the “effective history” of Isaiah 53 from the post-biblical and early Christian periods to the medieval times, where the understanding and the significance of Isaiah 53 for the Jewish-Christian dialogue of the time is presented. In the three introductory essays, Isaiah 53 is analysed with classical historical-critical methods each arriving at slightly different understandings of the identity of the Servant as well as of the nature of his mission. Unfortunately, studies of Isaiah 53 from other, more recent methodological perspectives are not included in this anthology, a fact that narrows the understanding of the function of this central text in its historical as well as in the modern contexts. The two essays dealing with the pre-Christian period demonstrate the multiplicity of equally “legitimate” understandings of the Servant and his work represented by the different Jewish movements of this time. This diversity of interpretation helps understand early Christian appropriation of Isaiah 53 as a text that, according to Christian tradition, points to the goal and end of salvation history - Jesus Christ. The schism between Jewish and Christian understandings of Isaiah 53 has thereby been initiated. Down the history, Isaiah 53 has been central for the Christian discussions about Christology, the impassibility of God and martyrdom, while discussions in Jewish tradition concerned the question of the meaning and the role of the growing number of Jews in the Diaspora. Even though the interpretation of Isaiah 53 in subsequent Jewish and Christian traditions could converge on a number of points, the larger issue on both sides was to prevent readings of the text in such a manner that would give the other side preferential right of interpretation. Thus, this volume draws attention to the fact how, on the one hand, a biblical text forms a community’s self-understanding, and on the other hand, how the flow of the influence goes just as much in the opposite direction: the personal interests of a community form the understanding of the texts of the Holy Scripture. The theological depth and the broad scope of the essays make this anthology an indispensable starting point as well as a significant reference work for anyone who wishes to learn more about or engage in a deeper study of Isaiah 53.
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