Teologiska Högskolan Stockholm

Change, Crisis and Development in Biblical Theology

Biblical texts have often been produced as a result of profound theological crises. These in turn have had a background in historical events or processes that have forced a change to more appropriate theological constructions. This course aims to analyse the mechanisms of change that take place in such processes, to illustrate how a particular theology can be a product of a particular situation, and how in such situations the texts often change in both scope and interpretation. The course covers a number of examples where these mechanisms of change have been particularly transformative in text and theology, such as the exile and the absence of the temple, Hellenistic influence, the Roman occupation, Jesus’ crucifixion, the so-called delay of the parousia, and the growing gap between early Judaism and the early Christian movement. The course also aims to highlight the responsibility of the interpreter to take account of these changes.

Course Outcomes/Learning Outcomes - as part of a Master’s Degree

On completing the course the student should:

• be able to demonstrate profound knowledge of the historical crises that led to fundamental changes in the theology of biblical texts and their interpretations;
• show an ability creatively and independently to formulate and discuss issues;
• be able to speak and write clearly about and to account for the relationship between social crises and the theological development of biblical texts, and to discuss the results of such development, both nationally and internationally;
• have an understanding of research into the social change mechanisms underlying the formation and re-interpretation of religious texts – and biblical texts in particular, and demonstrate an ability to assess research with both theological and ethical implications.