New Books in Biblical Studies

Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer, "In Search of Jonathan: Jonathan Between the Bible and Modern Fiction" (Oxford UP, 2023)

Nov 17, 2024

Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer, a professor of Old Testament exegesis from Sweden, explores the complex character of Jonathan in both biblical texts and modern fiction. She discusses Jonathan's courage, loyalty, and moral dilemmas, particularly his relationship with Saul and David. Tiemeyer highlights how contemporary interpretations enrich our understanding of Jonathan's sacrifice and leadership. Additionally, she reflects on balancing scholarly rigor with accessibility, aiming to reach a wider audience while maintaining depth in her analysis.

01:04:49

Episode guests

Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer analyzes Jonathan's complex character in both biblical texts and modern fiction, revealing his emotional bravery and loyalty amidst conflicting allegiances.

The podcast emphasizes how contemporary literary retellings of Jonathan challenge traditional interpretations, highlighting themes of love, loss, and relational dynamics in his narrative.

Deep dives

Lena Sophia Teymeyer's Journey to Scholarship

Lena Sophia Teymeyer grew up in Sweden with a strong interest in the Bible, particularly the Hebrew Bible, despite not coming from a Christian background. Her formative experiences included spending a gap year as an au pair in Jerusalem, where she learned modern Hebrew and deepened her appreciation for biblical texts. This led her to pursue formal education in biblical studies, culminating in a DPhil at the University of Oxford. Teymeyer's diverse academic career includes positions at notable institutions across the globe, enriching her scholarly perspective on biblical narratives.

Intro

2min

A Scholar's Journey: From Sweden to Biblical Studies

2min

Exploring Jonathan: Courage and Complexity

20min

Balancing Scholarship and Accessibility in Biblical Literature

3min

The Duality of Jonathan: Loyalty and Sacrifice

19min

Navigating Identity: Greta Weill's Literary Journey

4min

Exploring David, Jonathan, and Michal: A Literary Journey

11min

In both modern fiction and the biblical texts of 1 Samuel 13-2 Samuel 1, the character of Jonathan serves as a key literary and theological figure. Throughout In Search of Jonathan: Jonathan Between the Bible and Modern Fiction (Oxford UP, 2023), Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer interprets Jonathan's portrayal in traditional biblical literature and modern fiction. Each chapter provides first an analysis of Jonathan's characterization in 1-2 Samuel, followed by an examination of the depictions of Jonathan in modern fiction. Together, biblical and modern literature demonstrate how fictional retellings deepen and challenge the ways that scholars interpret Jonathan's character.

Throughout the volume, Tiemeyer offers an interpretation of Jonathan as a plausible and psychologically consistent character while grappling with questions posed by his actions in the text. Tiemeyer asks, what kind of man is Jonathan who shows initiative and daring leadership ability, but who is also willing to lay down his crown before the usurper David's feet in humble submission? What kind of son is Jonathan who rebels against his father and takes David's part in the conflict between him and Saul, yet remains loyal to Saul until the bitter end on Mount Gilboa?

To answer these questions, Tiemeyer considers depictions of Jonathan in modern fiction. Modern approaches, as Tiemeyer discusses, illuminate dormant yet integral aspects of the biblical texts. These modern retellings highlight, transform, and subvert the biblical portrayal of Jonathan. Posing these questions to the reader and other biblical scholars, Tiemeyer challenges the ways that scholars perceive Jonathan and his portrayals across biblical and modern literature.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biblical-studies