Femton forskare, svenska och internationella, diskuterar olika ämnen utifrån Åke Vibergs begrepp "nödvändighetens teologi' (Theology by Necessity), dvs hur teologisk utveckling formas och påverkas av olika yttre omständigheter.

Despite decades of research and a commonly accepted taxonomy that suggests otherwise, apocalypticism is still far too often equated with end-of-the-world eschatology. The present paper suggests an approach to apocalyptic imagery based on Ernst Cassirer’s theory of myth and language, together with models from conceptual blending theory, especially as they relate to performativity. The paper explores the double aspects of mythic-apocalyptic imagery as both performative and depictive, through textual examples from the New Testament, highlighting the role of emotion and (social) experience. Finally, we will ask to what extent this approach can be aligned with the concept of embodied cognition.

In this essay I suggest that the attitudes to Jewish law and the conflicting interpretations reflected by the early Jesus tradition are best understood within a landscape of change, in which the character of torah as instruction, guidance, and description gradually morphed into a more prescriptive and judicial nomos. Although the tensions described in the sources usually concern Jesus and the Pharisees, a comparison with the legal interpretation in some of the texts from Qumran sheds light on the principled differences between the early Jesus movement’s understanding of the law’s character and function and that of its opponents. It is suggested that Jesus and his early followers saw no conflict between the Torah’s guidance and its pragmatic application, but objected to some interpretations associated with its transformation.

Summary

This chapter explores how biblical law is treated in the gospels, in Paul, and in other New Testament texts. It shows how recent scholarship has demonstrated that Jesus and Paul treat the law in more positive fashion than they are usually given credit for.

A scholarly examination of same-sex sexuality in the Bible in the context of the ancient world  

Scriptural prohibitions of same-sex sexual acts (so-called “clobber passages”) are often used as prooftexts to support the oppression of LGBT communities in the West today. However, such interpretation of these scant references ignores critical sociohistorical context from the ancient world.  

Analyzing a wealth of primary sources, Thomas Kazen brings biblical studies into conversation with the sexual norms and practices of the ancient world. Near Eastern, Greek, and Roman texts, including the Old and New Testaments, exhibit ancient concerns about hierarchy in sexual relationships. Examining references to sexuality through the lenses of power and subordination, honor and shame, and purity, Kazen sheds light on homophobic passages in the Bible. Special attention is given to the Levitical laws and the Pauline epistles. Ultimately, Kazen calls us to renegotiate the balance between our ancient heritage and our contemporary values.  

Carefully researched and accessibly presented, Dirt, Shame, Status lends readers insight into the diverse cultural influences on the Bible. Kazen’s work offers an informed and important perspective on a controversial topic of perennial interest. Scholars, students, and all curious readers of Scripture will find this volume to be an indispensable resource for understanding complex ancient texts and contexts. 

From what would John’s immersions purify? Considering texts from the Synoptics, Josephus, and 1QS on purification, sin, and forgiveness, various options are outlined and disentangled with the help of conceptual metaphor theory, especially conceptual blending, and the theory of ritual form. Although John’s immersion was a ritual innovation, broadening ritual purification to include the removal of offensive acts and a change of behaviour by a physical water ritual, a conceptual blending analysis speaks strongly against immersion as a substitute for sacrifice and questions any confusion in relation to the priestly purity system. The theory of ritual form suggests an infrequent and high-arousal Special Agent ritual. Features reminiscent of pre-Hasmonean practices (river and ‘wilderness’ rather than miqveh), gave John’s rite a sense of genuineness and divine agency, making it attractive and emotionally satisfying. The eschatological setting of general purification in view of a divine encounter further contributed to the ritual’s success.

Handling moral infringement is complicated and this was as true in antiquity as it is today. Should one retaliate, demand compensation, be merciful, ignore the infringement, or forgive? Thomas Kazen and Rikard Roitto compare how Greeks, Romans, Jews, and Christians in antiquity navigated different ideas, practices, and rituals for moral repair. How did they think about morality and did this affect ideas about moral repair? What practices of moral repair did they use, within and beyond the court? In what different ways did they involve the gods in interpersonal conflicts through ritual? Insights from contemporary research on human behaviour guide the comparative work, since, as the authors argue, human moral behaviour and cognition is the result of both innate and cultural factors.