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Philosophy in the Bible

Philosophical Engagement with the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament: Some Methodological Reflections

Abstract A raft of recent “philosophical” interpretations have emerged within biblical studies. They have in common the expectation that ideas…

Collective Responsibility

Say You, Say Ye: Individual and Collective Identity and Responsibility in Torah

Torah’s use of pronouns resists today’s strident commitment to self-autonomy. It does not merely present a collective identity in its place.

Beating a Dead Category: A Response to Mark Sneed

I’m grateful to my friend and Society of Biblical Literature Wisdom in Cognate and Israelite Traditions program unit co-chair, Mark…

Moses receiving the decalogue

Arranging the Decalogue: Punctuation Matters for Interpreting the Ten Commandments

Michael LeFebvre notes several literary features for a fresh look at the decalogue’s structure and how punctuation aids its interpretation.

‘Wisdom Literature’ Is Not Dead Yet: A Response to Will Kynes

I have already reviewed Will Kynes’s book, An Obituary for “Wisdom Literature,” in many ways magisterial, elsewhere. I am here…

"The Wisdom of Solomon" by James Tissot (1836-1902 French), Jewish Museum, New York City

The End of ‘Wisdom Literature’

This essay was adapted from a talk for Union Presbyterian Seminary’s Wisdom Webinar on April 27, 2021. At the Annual…

Jesus bowing in the Garden of Gethsemane

Worship: Bowing Down in the Service of God

Abstract Philosophers commonly assume that worship is a universal attitude. Two major approaches see worship as a sui generis attitude or as…

Ancient Israel

The Hebrew Republic? Divine Authority and Self-Governance

This article makes a case that the ancient Israelite tribes and peoples formed a legitimately self-governing society.

Mt. Sinai

Constitution, Class, and the Book of Deuteronomy

Abstract The book of Deuteronomy has a dual agenda in its blueprint for the polity. First it rejects the exclusionary…