ENG458H1 Lecture : ENG458 130116.docx
Document Summary
Belonging, grounding, sense of time vs skipping over to look for stories. Disjointed, strange text explaining bits of information. Self-identity and issue of name, divine encounter -> dietary laws. Didactic stories, spiritual vs clear meaning mashup. Historical way of reading bible, background and using greek/hebrew words doesn"t. Symbolic/figurative reading also doesn"t work because of all physical details. Passage frustrating both common methods of reading. Midrashic reading (hebrew tradition) -> original passage, apparently random connection to other texts, commentators (rabbis) argue with each other on interpretation, ongoing discussion -> stops when lose energy, come back to initial verse. Text as starting point for ongoing discussion/argument. Being open to other disciplines and traditions. Abraham shifting isaac"s blame to himself not god. Fragmentary and disjointed stories but still important and powerful. Incomplete viewpoints, narratives, subjective perspectives imperfect but only way to talk. Kierkgaard satirical standpoint for theologians of day; can"t know bible fully even if learned/know hebrew different perspectives and approaches explain bits.
