God in the second book of Maccabees: The connection between words and deeds

This article focuses on God’s image and role in 2 Maccabees. My analysis will build on narratology, especially characterisation, and on the differentiation proposed by Barbara Schmitz in connection with the book of Judith: the distinction between God’s role as a character depicted in the narrative (...

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Main Author: Jan W. Van Henten
Format: Article
Language:Afrikaans
Published: AOSIS 2023-09-01
Series:In die Skriflig
Subjects:
Online Access:https://indieskriflig.org.za/index.php/skriflig/article/view/2949
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author Jan W. Van Henten
author_facet Jan W. Van Henten
author_sort Jan W. Van Henten
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description This article focuses on God’s image and role in 2 Maccabees. My analysis will build on narratology, especially characterisation, and on the differentiation proposed by Barbara Schmitz in connection with the book of Judith: the distinction between God’s role as a character depicted in the narrative (God’s acts and statements) and references to God in statements about God by other characters in the narrative. How does this differentiation work out for 2 Maccabees? Does the book describe any miracles performed by God, and if so, do these take place within or outside the normal processes of nature, as God, for example, did according to Joshua 10, 11–14, which reports that God made the sun stand still at Gibeon? Contribution: Firstly, this article presents the results of a narratological analysis of 2 Maccabees. Secondly, since the statements about God and God’s actual role are prominent in the book, this analysis is important for establishing the meaning of the book for the narratees, the intended readers. Thirdly, this reading is relevant for theological studies dealing with the image and role of God in the contexts of early Judaism and early Christianity.
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spelling doaj.art-ddb64744bf54442893cee8a8c0d01b932023-10-02T12:35:25ZafrAOSISIn die Skriflig1018-64412305-08532023-09-01571e1e610.4102/ids.v57i1.29492590God in the second book of Maccabees: The connection between words and deedsJan W. Van Henten0Department of History, Faculty of Humanities, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and Department of Old and New Testament, Stellenbosch University, StellenboschThis article focuses on God’s image and role in 2 Maccabees. My analysis will build on narratology, especially characterisation, and on the differentiation proposed by Barbara Schmitz in connection with the book of Judith: the distinction between God’s role as a character depicted in the narrative (God’s acts and statements) and references to God in statements about God by other characters in the narrative. How does this differentiation work out for 2 Maccabees? Does the book describe any miracles performed by God, and if so, do these take place within or outside the normal processes of nature, as God, for example, did according to Joshua 10, 11–14, which reports that God made the sun stand still at Gibeon? Contribution: Firstly, this article presents the results of a narratological analysis of 2 Maccabees. Secondly, since the statements about God and God’s actual role are prominent in the book, this analysis is important for establishing the meaning of the book for the narratees, the intended readers. Thirdly, this reading is relevant for theological studies dealing with the image and role of God in the contexts of early Judaism and early Christianity.https://indieskriflig.org.za/index.php/skriflig/article/view/29492 maccabeesgodmiraclesnarratologypowerwords and deeds.
spellingShingle Jan W. Van Henten
God in the second book of Maccabees: The connection between words and deeds
In die Skriflig
2 maccabees
god
miracles
narratology
power
words and deeds.
title God in the second book of Maccabees: The connection between words and deeds
title_full God in the second book of Maccabees: The connection between words and deeds
title_fullStr God in the second book of Maccabees: The connection between words and deeds
title_full_unstemmed God in the second book of Maccabees: The connection between words and deeds
title_short God in the second book of Maccabees: The connection between words and deeds
title_sort god in the second book of maccabees the connection between words and deeds
topic 2 maccabees
god
miracles
narratology
power
words and deeds.
url https://indieskriflig.org.za/index.php/skriflig/article/view/2949
work_keys_str_mv AT janwvanhenten godinthesecondbookofmaccabeestheconnectionbetweenwordsanddeeds