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Reading Song of Songs As Wisdom Literature: an Interpretive Approach

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Reading Song of Songs As Wisdom Literature: an Interpretive Approach Reading Song of Songs as wisdom literature: An interpretive approach integrating sexuality and spirituality Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements in respect of the Master’s degree Magister Theologiae in the Department of Old Testament in the Faculty of Theology at the University of the Free State. June 2014 Supervisor: Prof. S.D. Snyman Student: Marlene Oosthuizen Declaration I, Marlene Oosthuizen, declare • that the dissertation that I herewith submit for the Master’s degree at the University of the Free State , is my independent work and that I have not previously submitted it for a qualification at another institution of higher education, • that I am aware that the copyright is vested in the University of the Free State, • that all royalties as regards intellectual property that was developed during the course of and/or in connection with the study at the University of the Free State, will accrue to the University. In the event of a written agreement between the University and the student, the written agreement must be submitted in lieu of the declaration by the student, and • that I am aware that the research may only be published with the dean’s approval. Dedication To my fellow pilgrims travelling with me on the complicated road of life: Thank you for guiding me, inspiring me, and encouraging me to live life with passion. To my Beloved and my lover: Thank you for helping me to become fully human. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER ONE ......................................................................................................................................... 3 INTRODUCTION 1.1 PROBLEM STATEMENT ............................................................................................................................. 5 1.2 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................................... 5 1.2.1 Hypothesis ................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.2.2 Main themes ................................................................................................................................................ 6 1.2.2.1 Song of Songs ...................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2.2.2 Wisdom ............................................................................................................................................... 7 a) Wisdom literature ................................................................................................................................... 7 b) Wisdom ................................................................................................................................................... 8 1.2.2.3 Sexuality .............................................................................................................................................. 8 a) Sex ........................................................................................................................................................... 8 b) Sexuality .................................................................................................................................................. 9 c) Eros .......................................................................................................................................................... 9 d) Sexuality in the Ancient Near East .......................................................................................................... 9 1.2.2.4 Spirituality ......................................................................................................................................... 10 1.2.2.5 Integrating sexuality and spirituality ................................................................................................ 10 1.3 METHODOLOGY AND LITERATURE REVIEW .............................................................................................12 1.4 VALUE OF THE RESEARCH ........................................................................................................................14 1.5 OUTLINE OF THIS RESEARCH ....................................................................................................................15 CHAPTER TWO ..................................................................................................................................... 16 LOVING GOD OR MAKING LOVE? 2.1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................16 2.2 THE DUALISTIC SACRED/SECULAR ROOTS OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION ................................................17 2.3 SPIRITUAL INTERPRETATIONS ..................................................................................................................19 2.3.1 The basis for spiritual interpretations ....................................................................................................... 19 2.3.2 Jewish spiritual interpretations ................................................................................................................. 20 2.3.3 Christian spiritual interpretations ............................................................................................................. 24 i 2.4 SEXUAL INTERPRETATIONS ......................................................................................................................28 2.4.1 New possibilities ........................................................................................................................................ 30 a) Drama ........................................................................................................................................................ 30 b) Wedding Songs .......................................................................................................................................... 31 c) Dream theory ............................................................................................................................................ 31 d) Mythological-Cultic theory ........................................................................................................................ 32 2.4.2 Human love poems .................................................................................................................................... 35 a) Song for marriage and chastity .................................................................................................................. 36 b) A love song with many gods ...................................................................................................................... 36 c) Carnal and sexual allegory ......................................................................................................................... 37 d) Feminist and gay liberation readings ......................................................................................................... 38 e) Innerbiblical reading .................................................................................................................................. 39 2.5 CONCLUSION ...........................................................................................................................................40 CHAPTER THREE ................................................................................................................................. 42 THE WAY OF WISDOM 3.1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................42 3.2 TOWARDS BUILDING A MODEL FOR DEFINING WISDOM .........................................................................42 3.2.1. The perspectives of James Crenshaw .................................................................................................... 42 3.2.1.1 Four markers identifying wisdom literature ..................................................................................... 42 a) A literary corpus .................................................................................................................................... 42 b) Similar Texts in Egypt and Mesopotamia .............................................................................................. 43 c) Attitude ................................................................................................................................................. 44 d) Thematic coherence .............................................................................................................................. 44 3.2.1.2 The premise of ancient wisdom ........................................................................................................ 45 a) Propriety/order ..................................................................................................................................... 45 b) The fear of the Lord ............................................................................................................................... 46 c) Authority ..............................................................................................................................................
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