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...
Main Author: | |
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Format: | Electronic Article |
Language: | English |
Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
Journals Online & Print: | |
Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
Published: |
Oxford University Press
2022
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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
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IxTheo Classification: | HB Old Testament NBC Doctrine of God |
Online Access: |
Presumably Free Access Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
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? |
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ISSN: | 1477-4607 |
Contains: | Enthalten in: The journal of theological studies
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Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1093/jts/flac078 |