Faculty of Theology
Department of Old Testament Studies
Selected Highlights from Research Findings
In their comparative study of the Pentateuch, researchers from Africa and Europe decided to follow a new path in their study of the literary history of the Hebrew Bible. They found that the European approach to the study of the Pentateuch focuses on the historical, while the African side was more concerned with the applicability of the interpretations of the Bible in a modern social context.
The research project, known as Project Pentateuch or Pro Pent was started in 2000 and culminated in the publication of an international book entitled: A Critical Study of the Pentateuch: An Encounter between Europe and Africa in 2005.
Articles contained in the book deal with the past and future studies of the Pentateuch and questions such as Africa in need of an Exodus?; Is there a way out of the methodological labyrinth and What is Isaac doing in Amos 7? are answered. Researchers also deal with subjects such as the Need for a new vision of the Torah; Poverty in Africa; Redactional techniques in primeval history and The Pentateuch between synchrony and diachrony. South African collaborators include Proff Jurie Le Roux, Dirk J Human, Gerda de Villiers, Alphonso Groenewald, Eben Scheffler and Christo Lombaard.
The aim of this study was to provide a "fresh" perspective on the study of the Pentateuch. According to the researchers the critical study of the Pentateuch never came to full fruition and the main objective of Pro Pent is to fill this gap.
The researchers have reached the following important conclusions:
· South African Old Testament scholarship has failed in its study of Pentateuch research over the past two hundred years. South African Old Testament scholars cannot participate in international discussions or be relevant to the local context without becoming steeped into both Pentateuch criticism and international scholarly debate;
· To reach this aim a close co-operation with the German Old Testament scholars seems inevitable. Since German Old Testament scholarship dominates theoretical thinking for the past two centuries this collaboration is of vital importance;
· This book highlights the crucial finding that each phase of the redaction of the Pentateuch must be linked to a specific ethical or theological problem. The importance of this view can never be overestimated. By means of critical research the theological layers of the Pentateuch can now be understood, and the impact of theology on society may be considered in much detail;
· Following this procedure the first layer of origin seems to be a revolt against neo-Assyrian influences during the seventh century BC. According to Assyrian custom the god Assur was enforced upon defeated nations and had to be honoured and worshipped by all. A counter concept was, however, developed against Assyrian politics and this deed of resistance was the beginning of Deuteronomy and of the Pentateuch;
· This book reflects another important scientific result, namely that the consequence of this resistance was the development of the idea of human rights. Thus, through a critical study of the Pentateuch (and the Old Testament) one understands some of the ‘biblical’ impulses that gave rise to the concept of human rights, these same impulses may also be of great importance to South Africa and the African continent;
· As never before in South African Pentateuch investigation, this book highlights the importance of critical study for the problem of the possession of land in South Africa and elsewhere in Africa. The two final redactions of the Pentateuch in the fifth century reflect this clearly. One of these, the ‘Hexateuch Redaction’ which consists of the first six books of the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy and Joshua), claims that the land was the greatest of God’s gifts. The other, the ‘Pentateuch Redaction’ (excluding Joshua) stresses the importance of the Torah. This distinction between a ‘Hexateuch Redaction’ and a ‘Pentateuch Redaction’ has far-reaching consequences for some of Africa’s most pressing problems; and
· To be relevant to South Africa (and the continent) the study of the Pentateuch must always be involved in a high-level theoretical reflection but never neglect the theological consequences of these inquiries. This is a crucial finding of this book.
Prof Jurie le Roux
Old Testament Studies
+27 (0) 12 420 2719
jleroux1@mweb.co.za
In June 2005, 44 specialists in Second Temple Judaism and Christian Origins met for three days in complete seclusion at the ancient Monastery of Camaldoli, in the middle of a forest on the mountains between Florence and Arezzo, Italy for the Third Enoch Seminar on Re-Entering the Parables of Enoch in the Study of Second Temple Judaism and Christian Origins.
Representatives came from Belgium, Canada, England, Ethiopia, Russia, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, and the United States of America (USA). Prof Pieter Venter presented his paper entitled: Spatiality in the Second Parable. In his presentation he compared Daniel 7 with pseudepigraphic 1 Enoch 46:1-51:5 as pre-Christian writings.
He found that two totally different apocalyptic groups were responsible for these two. The Daniel group worked with terrestrial space in which universal powers are in conflict with each other. The “world” in Parables on the other hand, is much more concerned with local groups and powers. These are explicitly characterized as oppressors, unrighteous landowners, wealthy individuals, people pretending to be believers but denying God.
In both the concept “Son of Man” plays a central role, in Parables being much more of a celestial figure and in Daniel a terrestrial liberator. Both these interpretations form the basis for later applications such as those found in the New Testament applied to the person of Jesus Christ. This paper aimed at contributing to the dating and characterizing of this “Son of Man” tradition.
Along with the other papers this formed the basis for a very technical and intense academic discussion during the three days of the congress. The paper was also accepted for publication in the congress volume appearing later this year.
Prof PM Venter
Old Testament Studies
+27 (0) 12 420 2074
pieter.venter2@up.ac.za
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