'Good figs, bad figs' : theologies of differentiation in Jeremiah 21-45
This thesis explores the concept of inner-Judean differentiation in the judgement and salvation oracles of Jer. 21-45. Specifically, it aims to identity the various 'polarities' of who will and will not be saved and to explore their underlying rationale. In order to show how these concepts...
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Format | Dissertation |
Language | English |
Published |
University of Edinburgh
2003
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Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | This thesis explores the concept of inner-Judean differentiation in the judgement and salvation oracles of Jer. 21-45. Specifically, it aims to identity the various 'polarities' of who will and will not be saved and to explore their underlying rationale. In order to show how these concepts interact, a synchronic approach is preferred, in which the relevant texts are analysed within their literary units. Chapter 1 places the differentiation texts of Jer. 21-45 against the background of indiscriminate judgement preaching in Jer. 1-20. The works of K.-F. Pohlmann, C.R. Seitz and N. Kilpp on Jeremiah are then reviewed and assessed. It is argued that Pohlmann and Seitz, in particular, overlook important modes of differentiation within Jer. 21-45. Chapters 2, 3 and 4 form the bulk ofthe thesis. Chapter 2 identifies three polarities in Jer. 21- 24: those who stay in Jerusalem v. those who surrender (21.1-10), Israel's leaders v. its people (23.1-8), and the exiles in Babylon v. the non-exiles in Jerusalem (24.1-10). The hermeneutical relationship between these passages is then discussed. Chapter 3 focuses on Jer. 27-29, which presents two intersecting polarities; that of the exiles v. non-exiles, and that ofprophets v. people. This configuration is complicated by the additional material in MT 29.16-20. Chapter 4 examines Jer. 37-45, where the mode of differentiation in the oracles to Ebed-Melech and Baruch reshape the mode of differentiation in Jeremiah's message to the people of Jerusalem and the remnant of Judah. Chapter 5 briefly describes the message of undifferentiated salvation in Jer. 30-31. In chapter 6, it is concluded that although inner-Judean differentiation forms a prominent motif in Jer. 21-45, no one expression of this has the final word. Rather, the juxtaposition of different or partly similar polarities results in a kaleidoscopic picture, consistent with the book as a whole and the period in which it was formed. It is also concluded that there is no single rationale for judgement or salvation; however, the actual experience ofjudgement seems to facilitate the promise of salvation. The thesis concludes by considering the relevance of the research to the works of Pohlmann and Seitz. |
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