(DOWNLOAD) "Dismantling the Deconstruction of Job." by Journal of Biblical Literature ~ eBook PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: Dismantling the Deconstruction of Job.
- Author : Journal of Biblical Literature
- Release Date : January 22, 2008
- Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines,Books,Professional & Technical,Education,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 181 KB
Description
In a recent article, Andre LaCocque argues that the "divine discourse in Job 38-41 does as much to reveal flaws in the created universe as to celebrate the wisdom of the Creator." (1) In a previous article on the same subject, LaCocque considered that the restoration of Job's fortune in the epilogue adds perhaps little to the book. It merely returns to popular lore and builds a nice inclusio with the prologue. (2) In the recent article, LaCocque is less dismissive and refers to the epilogue in the body of the article. The epilogue is now deemed "post-tragic," valuable because it is regarding God as much as Job. Both articles are built around the notion that chs. 38-41 are a rejection of divine omnipotence and a break with the sapiential frame. LaCocque's reading strategy is straightforward: it contests divine omnipotence and Job's innocence. God must be less than omnipotent in order to be innocent of Job's sufferings. The theophany is an admission of weakness that clears YHWH of any taint of injustice. Consequently, Job must be guilty in order to repent when YHWH faces him. The entire plot is resolved by Job's repentant answer to YHWH. At that point, Job realizes how wrong he was in blaming a God whom he thought omnipotent and understands that the moment God became creator he divested himself of his omnipotence. Divine weakness then serves several purposes. A weak YHWH is not liable for Job's suffering. Divine weakness allows evil to persist and invites Job to step in, engage evil, and participate in perfecting creation. LaCocque redeems Job's restoration by shifting the focus away from Job and reading 42:7-17 as God's triumph, which reaffirms experiential reality by four times mentioning his servant Job.
 "Dismantling the Deconstruction of Job." by Journal of Biblical Literature ~ eBook PDF Kindle ePub Free){kind=link}