Ecological hermeneutics and the interpretation of biblical texts yesterday, today and onwards: critical reflection and assessment

This article critically explores various approaches in which interpreters operate in recent attempts to apply ecological hermeneutics to biblical texts. It engages with the strengths and weaknesses of the works of the apologetic readers (reading of recovery), the Earth Bible Project (reading of resi...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Kavusa, Kivatsi Jonathan 1982- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: SA ePublications [2019]
In: Old Testament essays
Year: 2019, Volume: 32, Issue: 1, Pages: 229-255
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Ecumene / Exegesis / Hermeneutics / Bible
RelBib Classification:HA Bible
KDJ Ecumenism
VB Hermeneutics; Philosophy
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei)
Volltext (kostenfrei)
Description
Summary:This article critically explores various approaches in which interpreters operate in recent attempts to apply ecological hermeneutics to biblical texts. It engages with the strengths and weaknesses of the works of the apologetic readers (reading of recovery), the Earth Bible Project (reading of resistance 1), the anti-ecological reading (reading of resistance 2), the revisionist readers (mostly the Exeter Project), the Eco-Feminists and the Eco-theological voices of African scholars. Finally, the article draws critical evaluation, assessment and acknowledgment of the need of complementary insights from different reading stances. Finally, the article argues that, for a fruitful ecological reading of the Bible, one must admit that biblical texts were formulated in a world that knew nothing about modern ecological problems. Thus, the aim of a fruitful reading should direct the reader towards the critical power and relevant stimulus of biblical texts for our questions. In whichever reading, the interpreter is invited not to mix in one mould the biblical statements and his/her current realities. This means that our realities should never dictate the direction of biblical interpretation, but both worlds should remain in a constantly enriching dialogue.
ISSN:2312-3621
Contains:Enthalten in: Old Testament essays
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.17159/2312-3621/2019/v32n1a13
HDL: 10520/EJC-15db903599