Katharine J. Dell, "The Lord by Wisdom Founded the Earth" (Baylor UP, 2023)
Sep 13, 2024
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Katharine J. Dell, a professor at the University of Cambridge, dives into the profound themes of creation and covenant in the Hebrew Bible. She explores the intricate relationships within wisdom literature, highlighting key texts like Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. Dell discusses how the covenant with Noah showcases a vision of restoration and harmony within creation. Additionally, she advocates for fresh perspectives in biblical studies, encouraging a deeper understanding of intertextuality in these ancient texts.
The Wisdom literature in the Hebrew Bible reframes creation and covenant as interconnected themes, enriching our understanding of God's relationship with all life.
Katharine J. Dell highlights the role of 'woman wisdom' as an intermediary in guiding human moral actions in response to divine wisdom.
Deep dives
Understanding Creation through Wisdom Literature
Wisdom literature in the Hebrew Bible provides a fresh perspective on the themes of creation and covenant. This literature moves beyond the traditional narratives found in Genesis, focusing instead on texts from Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. These texts present a view of God as both Creator and a figure who invites humans to embrace wisdom as a means to understanding their existence. The portrayal of 'woman wisdom' in Proverbs serves as an intermediary between God and humans, embodying the complexity of this relationship and emphasizing the moral implications of adhering to wisdom.
The Intersection of Creation and Covenant
The exploration of creation and covenant reveals them to be interrelated themes within the Hebrew Bible. Specifically, the covenant with Noah, marked by the rainbow, emphasizes God's promise to the entirety of creation rather than just humanity. This perspective shifts the understanding of covenant from being solely about Israel's journey to recognizing its broader implications for all life. By linking these concepts, the narrative expands to include the physical world in God's promises, suggesting a deeper and more inclusive covenantal relationship.
Job's Unique Contribution to Creation Theology
The book of Job contributes significantly to the discussion of creation, highlighting a sophisticated depiction of the natural world. In Job, God's response to suffering focuses on His role as Creator, revealing the intricacies of His creation rather than addressing the specifics of human suffering. God's speeches celebrate the wonders of creation, illustrating an understanding that transcends human comprehension and control over nature. This portrayal aligns with wisdom literature's broader theme of inviting humans to acknowledge their place within a divinely ordered universe, rich in complexity.
The foundation of the earth, its division from the heavens and the waters, God's provision of all of nature as well as human and animal life, God's relationship to the world, and the ethics and morality of our human response; these key themes, related to both creation and covenant, emerge from the Wisdom literature of the Hebrew Bible. In her recent book, The Lord by Wisdom Founded the Earth(Baylor UP, 2023), Katharine J. Dell illumines the theological themes of creation and covenant by interpreting them through the lens of wisdom.
Tune in as Dell offers a fresh reading from texts in Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes!
Katherine J. Dell is professor of Old Testament Literature and Theology in the Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge and a Fellow of St. Catherine’s College, Cambridge.