Marquette University e-Publications@Marquette Dissertations, Theses, and Professional Dissertations (1934 -) Projects Qoheleth: An Anti-apocalyptic Genre for a Message of Joy Jerome Douglas Marquette University Follow this and additional works at: https://epublications.marquette.edu/dissertations_mu Part of the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Douglas, Jerome, "Qoheleth: An Anti-apocalyptic Genre for a Message of Joy" (2011). Dissertations (1934 -). 104. https://epublications.marquette.edu/dissertations_mu/104 QOHELETH: AN ANTI-APOCALYPTIC GENRE FOR A MESSAGE OF JOY by Jerome N. Douglas, B.A., M.Div., M.A. A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School, Marquette University, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Milwaukee, Wisconsin May, 2011 ABSTRACT QOHELETH: AN ANTI-APOCALYPTIC GENRE FOR A MESSAGE OF JOY Jerome N. Douglas, B.A., M.Div., M.A. Marquette University, 2011 How is the interpreter to approach Ecclesiastes? What is the message of the author? What is the genre of the book? Many scholars have posited varying interpretations concerning the message of Ecclesiastes and have observed the number of statements that appear to be conflicting or, at least, in tension with one another. Discussions about the argument and genre label(s) of/ or in Ecclesiastes have not fully considered the author’s polemics against the apocalyptic beliefs of his day, 200 B.C.E. This dissertation will propose that the author of Ecclesiastes utilizes a hybrid genre in his work. He, in part, employs an “anti-apocalyptic genre” in Ecclesiastes, and the presence of this genre serves to further the author’s message of joy. Recognizing the presence of an anti-apocalyptic genre within the tapestry of Ecclesiastes will assist the interpreter in understanding the author’s message. This dissertation asserts three fundamental features of genre. Genre is flexible, anchored to authorial will, and centered on setting and function. There are Second Temple period texts that demonstrate how apocalyptic and sapiential meld/ clash. This dissertation examines passages (7:1-10, 3:10-15, 3:16-22, 9:1-10) in Ecclesiastes that demonstrate the clash between the author and the contemporary apocalyptic thought; these passages demonstrate the anti-apocalyptic genre in Ecclesiastes. This dissertation also shows how the author’s use of the anti-apocalyptic genre impacts the book’s message of joy. To this end, this work shows the author’s five- pronged rhetorical strategy: rhetorical questions, ethos, destabilization, the anti- apocalyptic genre usage, and re-stabilization. i ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Jerome N. Douglas, B.A., M.Div., M.A. I am indebted to a host of people and friends for their encouragement, advice, and support during my doctoral program and the culminating task of this dissertation. Time and space would not allow me to thank all of those who, through their words and kind deeds, brought refreshing winds in what can often be like a long, albeit rewarding and fulfilling, trek on a hot, humid day. There are a few that I would like to highlight for their contribution to me on this transformative journey. The seeds for this dissertation germinated during my doctoral studies at Marquette University. I am grateful to the faculty under whom I have studied and have been greatly enriched in my scholarly endeavors. I would like to mention a few whose impact directly influenced this work. While in the seminar on Hermeneutic Theory with Dr. Bradford Hinze my understanding and explorations on the topic of genre, which is central to this project, expanded significantly. In fact, my seminar paper on the genre of Ecclesiastes served as a launching pad for my later dissertation work. The idea of recognizing an anti-apocalyptic genre in Ecclesiastes began to form during the academic year when I engaged in an independent study of Wisdom literature under the direction of Dr. Deirdre Dempsey as well as the seminar on Jewish Apocalyptic literature with Dr. Andrei Orlov. An independent study on Inter-testamental literature, as well under the direction of Dr. Orlov, also enabled me to further my knowledge in this area of study as well as fine tune the direction I would later pursue for this dissertation. I am grateful to these faculty members for their diligent investment of time and consultation. I would also like to thank my committee members Drs. Mickey Mattox, Sharon Pace, and John Schmitt who agreed to serve on this committee and make themselves available for assistance on this project. I am especially grateful to my dissertation directors, Drs. Orlov and Dempsey; they have been gracious and generous with their time. Their insightful comments and contribution have brought much improvement to this work. I am immensely grateful to my mother, Ives Douglas, whose endless and loving encouragement has consistently invigorated me on this educational journey. Her selfless love and support have been immeasurable during these years, as well as my whole life. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................... i CHAPTER 1: THE QUESTION .........................................................................................1 The State of the Question: Message.........................................................................3 Twentieth Century Interpretation ................................................................3 Historical Critical Interpretation ...................................................3 Modern Literary Interpretation ....................................................12 The Message of Ecclesiastes: A Summary ...............................................18 The State of the Question: Genre in Ecclesiastes ..................................................23 Conclusion ............................................................................................................29 CHAPTER 2: GENRE: A DEFINITION ..........................................................................31 David Fishelov .....................................................................................................31 Literary Genres as Biological Species ......................................................33 Literary Genres as Families ......................................................................35 Developing Definition .................................................................37 Carolyn Miller .......................................................................................................38 Developing Definition ..............................................................................41 John Swales ...........................................................................................................41 Developing Definition ..............................................................................45 Adena Rosmarin ....................................................................................................46 Developing Definition ..............................................................................48 Henry Nasuti .........................................................................................................48 Eric D. Hirsch .......................................................................................................52 iii My Definition of Genre ........................................................................................55 CHAPTER 3: WISDOM AND APOCALYPTIC GENRE AND THOUGHT MELD/ CLASH IN SECOND TEMPLE JUDAISM .......................................................58 What is Wisdom? ..................................................................................................58 What is Apocalyptic? ............................................................................................65 The Traditionalist Approach ......................................................................67 The Literary-Form Approach ....................................................................69 The Essentialists Approach .......................................................................70 The Eclectic Approach: Comprehensive Diversity ...................................71 The Nickelsburg Caution .....................................................................................74 1 Enoch ................................................................................................................75 2 Baruch ................................................................................................................81 4 Ezra ....................................................................................................................85 The Epistle of James .............................................................................................88 Romans ................................................................................................................94 Apocalyptic Influence ..............................................................................95 Wisdom Influence ....................................................................................97 The Book of Job .................................................................................................100 Section One: Medium by which the revelation is communicated .........101 Section Two: Otherworldly Mediator Communicates Revelation .........102 Section Three: The human recipient ......................................................102 Section Four: Protology