Does the Reader Fear God for Nothing?: A Theological Reflection on the Divine Speeches in Job

God’s speeches in Job 38-41 have been criticized by some for their arrogant tone and celebrated by others for their non-anthropocentric worldview. While these interpretations address important features of the text, they are too simple. Rather than having a non-anthropocentric perspective, God hides...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Schwáb, Zoltán S. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Oxford University Press 2022
In: The journal of theological studies
Year: 2022, Volume: 73, Issue: 2, Pages: 439-473
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Bible. Ijob 38-41 / God / Arrogance / Anthropocentrism
IxTheo Classification:HB Old Testament
NBC Doctrine of God
Online Access: Presumably Free Access
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Summary:God’s speeches in Job 38-41 have been criticized by some for their arrogant tone and celebrated by others for their non-anthropocentric worldview. While these interpretations address important features of the text, they are too simple. Rather than having a non-anthropocentric perspective, God hides his fascination with Job in order to raise him to a new level of selflessness. Similarly, rather than simply being arrogant, God hides his care for Job, which also serves a pedagogical purpose. God wants Job to experience a completely unselfish fear of his maker that does not expect anything in exchange, not even God’s loving attention. While readers reflect on Job’s response, they also reflect on their own: are they willing to fear God for nothing in return?
ISSN:1477-4607
Contains:Enthalten in: The journal of theological studies
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1093/jts/flac078