Keith Bodner and Benjamin J.M. Johnson, "Characters and Characterization in the Book of Judges" (Bloomsbury, 2024)
Mar 17, 2024
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Benjamin Johnson, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, and Keith Bodner discuss the intriguing characters in the Book of Judges such as Ehud and Samson. They explore the complexities of character movements and portrayals in biblical narratives, focusing on Abimelech as a cautionary figure against kingship. The conversation also touches on future projects to examine characters in Chronicles and other biblical texts.
Characters in the Book of Judges play a crucial role in shaping biblical narratives and offer insights into human connections.
Exploring characters like Abimelech in Judges provides a deeper understanding of leadership dynamics and cautionary tales.
Deep dives
Benjamin Johnson's Interest in Characters in the Old Testament
Benjamin Johnson, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, shares that his childhood exposure to biblical tales, particularly the intriguing story of Ehud, sparked his fascination with Old Testament narratives. Johnson delves into the significance of characters in biblical storytelling, emphasizing how characters shape our understanding of narratives. He highlights the intrinsic human connection to characters in Old Testament stories, underscoring their pivotal role in interpreting biblical texts.
Significance of Characterization in Judges and The Book of Samuel
The podcast explores the importance of characters and characterization in the Book of Judges, specifically focusing on Benjamin Johnson's exploration of characters in Judges. Johnson's contribution on Abimelech, a unique figure not classified as a judge, sheds light on the intricate dynamics within the biblical narrative. He unveils Abimelech's character complexities, portraying a cautionary tale on disloyalty and the pitfalls of aspiring to kingship. The episode also delves into the broader message of Judges, challenging simplistic views on kingship and delving into the nuanced portrayal of human leadership.
Future Works on Character Studies and Interpretation in Old Testament Narratives
Benjamin Johnson shares insights on his ongoing and upcoming projects within the realm of biblical studies. He discusses potential future works on characters and characterization, contemplating projects focusing on characters in Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, and Chronicles. Johnson reflects on the communicative power of character studies across diverse audiences, from academics to Sunday school settings. Additionally, he hints at the prospect of delving deeper into the interpretive significance of characters in biblical narratives through forthcoming publications, aiming to explore the complexities and ambiguities inherent in biblical characters.
Characters and characterization are a key ingredient for interpreting the Bible, and perhaps no other book in the Bible is so full of challenging and outlandish characters as the book of Judges. From Ehud, the left-handed assassin to the zany adventures of Samson, the characters in Judges are memorable indeed.
Benjamin Johnson is Associate Professor of Biblical Studies and Director of The Honors College at LeTourneau University.
L. Michael Morales is Professor of Biblical Studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and the author of The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus(Peeters, 2012), Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?: A Biblical Theology of Leviticus(IVP Academic, 2015), and Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption (IVP Academic, 2020). He can be reached at mmorales@gpts.edu