Eben Scheffler - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Eben Scheffler

Acta Theologica, 2016

The fact of the existence of Jesus of Nazareth is recognised in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. ... more The fact of the existence of Jesus of Nazareth is recognised in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Nevertheless these religions are all in one way or another involved in violent conflicts that still ravages the present-day world. Despite making the proposed task more difficult, in this contribution attention will be paid to the historical Jesus' stance on violence (as contained in the Gospel tradition), our expressed hermeneutical intent being to address contemporary violence, in interpersonal relationships as well as on a global "political" scale (e.g. war). After some remarks on the possibilities and limitations of historical Jesus research, Jesus' own stance or teaching on violence (e.g. blessed are the peacemakers, loving the enemy and turning the other cheek), as well as his possible involvement in, or opposition to violence in the Palestinian and Roman context of his day will be scrutinised. A "hermeneutical" reflection on the possibility of the appropriation of Jesus' (non-violent) stance in today's world concludes the paper. We don't want to study the historical Jesus, because then we must do the same.-James Murphy O'Conner There is no way to peace, peace is the way.-Mahatma Ghandi You must have breakfast by yourself, lunch with a friend and supper with your enemy.-Nelson Mandela (as president van Suid-Afrika) 1 Opgedra aan Piet Strauss, met respek.

BRILL eBooks, May 1, 1991

Page 297. EH SCHEFFLER READING LUKE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF LIBERATION THEOLOGY 1. Introduction T... more Page 297. EH SCHEFFLER READING LUKE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF LIBERATION THEOLOGY 1. Introduction To read the New Testament from the perspective of liberation theology has be-come increasingly important in recent years for a twofold reason. ... Luke seems to ...

Neotestamentica, Feb 1, 1988

This paper contains a theoretical reflection on psychological exegesis in which its relationship ... more This paper contains a theoretical reflection on psychological exegesis in which its relationship with other approaches of exegesis (especially sociological exegesis and historical criticism) is investigated. It is emphasised that psychological exegesis cannot be limited to one single approach. Attention is paid to a selection of models (psychoanalysis, analytical psychology, behaviourism and cognitive psychology) an attempt is also made to read Luke 12:35-48 in terms of these models.

Neotestamentica, May 1, 1990

The preaching of John the Baptist is considerably changed by the inclusion of the Sondergut-tradi... more The preaching of John the Baptist is considerably changed by the inclusion of the Sondergut-tradition (3:10-14) by Luke. The judgement of John's preaching is toned down and Luke's socio-economical interest is communicated. People should share, not exploit one another and accept social outcasts. This ethic integrates with the merciful attitude which Luke communicates in the rest of the Gospel towards all kinds of suffering.

Acta Theologica, Nov 30, 2018

Amidst many perspectives on violence in the Twelve Minor Prophets, there also exist various views... more Amidst many perspectives on violence in the Twelve Minor Prophets, there also exist various views on peace. The article focusses on the major peace traditions in the Dodekapropheton and explores the differences in perspectives by the various authors. Of note is the relation between peace and (corroborated) violence, and the context(s) under which conditions for peace are possible. The article also reflects on the psychological issue (referring to Freud's concepts of eros and thanatos) of how human prophets advocate both peace and violence, involving the concept of God in the process. 1 Opgedra aan Fanie Snyman, die vredevolle, met dank vir die voorreg van (Christelike) vriendskap.

Acta patristica et byzantina, 2006

Abstract The accounts of the arrest of Jesus in the synoptic and John's Gospels (Mk 14: 43–52... more Abstract The accounts of the arrest of Jesus in the synoptic and John's Gospels (Mk 14: 43–52, Mt 26: 47–56, Lk 22: 47–53, Jn 18: 1–12) are discussed with the focus on Jesus' attitude of non-violence. It is concluded that every Gospel portrays Jesus' attitude in its own unique way. Luke's Gospel and that of John seem to emphasise Jesus' non-violent stance the most, thereby revealing a ‘mysterious resemblance’ which cannot merely be explained in terms of literary dependence. However, the attitude correlates with motifs elsewhere in the two Gospels, for instance Jesus' attitude towards the Samaritans. The paper concludes with a brief hermeneutical reflection on the relevance of Jesus' attitude for the contemporary (post)modern world.

Neotestamentica, Dec 1, 1995

Since history is interpretation, it is argued that psychological insights can facilitate the hist... more Since history is interpretation, it is argued that psychological insights can facilitate the historical understanding of Jesus. However, emphasis should not so much be laid on a psychoanalytical interpretation of Jesus' personality, but it should rather be probed whether the 'effect' which Jesus had on his followers could be explained psychologically. In this regard attention is paid to psychotherapy and the processes of modelling and internalisation.

Neotestamentica, Mar 1, 1999

... Titre du document / Document title. Ernest Renan's Jesus : an appraisal = Le Jésus d&#x2... more ... Titre du document / Document title. Ernest Renan's Jesus : an appraisal = Le Jésus d'Ernest Renan: une évaluation. Auteur(s) / Author(s). SCHEFFLER E. (1) ; Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s). ... Historiographie. ; Exégèse. ; Renan (E.). ; Schweitzer (A.). ; ...

Two broadly defined historical problems related to the Emmaus narrative are investigated in this ... more Two broadly defined historical problems related to the Emmaus narrative are investigated in this article. After a brief reflection on presuppositions regarding historical investigation it is concluded that, although in all probability Luke did not compose the narrative {de novo}, the narrative is in many respects not based on historical fact. Its reworking by Luke is considered as well as its probable communication in the latter's historical context.

Theological Studies/Teologiese Studies, Feb 20, 2014

Taking the lead from Wisdom of Solomon 7:20, which clearly indicates that ancient authors did eng... more Taking the lead from Wisdom of Solomon 7:20, which clearly indicates that ancient authors did engage in the specialised 'scientific' (although contemporary) study of mental processes (διαλογισμοὺς ἀνθρώπων), it is argued that the author of Luke's Gospel paid special attention to the alleviation of human psychological suffering. Employing an approach recently being labelled as 'positive psychology', attention will be paid to general affliction (e.g. Lk 4:18; 6:21, 25), old age (Lk 1:5−80; 2:25−38), grief (e.g. Lk 7:11−17) and the emphasis on mental processes in Luke's portrayal of Jesus' exorcisms (e.g. Lk 4:35; 6:18−19; 9:38), as well as the psychological dimension involved in other types of suffering (e.g. poverty, sickness, enmity and social ostracism). The 'mental process', 'feelings' or 'empathy' that motivate the alleviation of suffering (in the behaviour of Jesus and his followers) will also come into focus in the discussion of the Lucan use of the terms οἰκτίρμων (Lk 6:36), ἔλεος and σπλαγχνίζομαι (e.g. Lk 10:33, 37). 1.In my doctoral dissertation, Suffering in Luke's Gospel, I distinguished and discussed 'psychological suffering' as one of six dimensions of suffering that Luke emphasised (Scheffler 1993:90−96). Positive psychology, as a specific psychological approach, only appeared on the scene later (

Verbum Et Ecclesia, Oct 6, 2004

Jung, the Pentateuch and ethics This article reflects on the contribution that can be made to the... more Jung, the Pentateuch and ethics This article reflects on the contribution that can be made to the interpretation of the Bible by employing the analytical psychology of Carl Jung. After some relevant biographical considerations on Jung, his view of religion and the Bible is briefly considered, followed by a look into Genesis 1-3 in terms of his distinction of archetypes. It is suggested in the conclusion that Jungian psychological Biblical criticism can lead to a changed, but fresh view on the 'authority' or influence of the Bible in the lives of (post)modern human beings and their (ethical) behaviour.

Verbum Et Ecclesia, Dec 13, 2019

In 2008, the author wrote an article on sex and eros (Scheffler 2008) without having read or even... more In 2008, the author wrote an article on sex and eros (Scheffler 2008) without having read or even being aware of Le Roux's article. 2.His friendship also reminds me of an adage expressed by Jürgen Moltmann at a meeting during his visit to South Africa in 1978: 'Besides the obligation for Christian brotherhood there exists fortunately also the privilege of Christian friendship'. In this article, Jurie Hendrik le Roux's contribution to the theological endeavour is explored. His wide interdisciplinary interest that bears fruit in various fields of his work proved (at least in his case) that the adage 'Jack of all trades and master of none' is invalid. His research in sociology, Church history and philosophy will be discussed in so far as it contributed to his main interest, Old Testament Studies. In what follows, I will therefore make some remarks on Le Roux's work on sociology, Church history, ancient Israelite historiography, research history and also on exegetical methodology, Pentateuchal studies, philosophy and hermeneutics. My method will be to indicate the links between these disciplines as facets of one huge theological endeavour. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article gives an overview of the theological contribution of the Old Testament scholar Jurie le Roux. Over many years, his work in the field of Old Testament Studies stretched into many other fields-as indicated in the article-such as sociology, Church history and philosophy.

Theological Studies/Teologiese Studies, Dec 15, 2021

…hulle my drie drifte: die aardse, die vrou en die Groot-Groot-Gees oor die kraal tussen kieperso... more …hulle my drie drifte: die aardse, die vrou en die Groot-Groot-Gees oor die kraal tussen kiepersol en klip. (D J Opperman, Uit: Heilige Beeste 1947) Introduction: What can archaeology do for Song of Songs? When the biblical archaeological movement started in the 19th century (Scheepers 2000:1-10) it was mainly a treasure hunt, as the important and grotesque objects in important museums in the Western world testify, for example the Rosetta stone, Hammurabi Code and Ishtar gate in the British Museum, Louvre in Paris and Pergamon museum in Berlin, respectively (discussed in Scheffler 2000a). When archaeology developed more and more to become a science employing sound methods, the aim was to investigate the historicity of the biblical events, for instance founding the walls of Jericho (Scheffler 2013:1-8) or the Solomonic gates or horse stables in Megiddo, Hazor and Gezer (Scheffler 2000a:15-18, 59-61). Under Israeli domination the endeavour was to prove the early occupation of Canaan which would 'justify' the present Israeli state after the Second World War (e.g. the excavations at Beersheba, cf. Scheffler 2000b:306-337). Today biblical or Palestinian archaeology (to my mind one could live with the term 'Biblical Archaeology' if the archaeology of the lands of the Bible is meant) has come of age; and most earlier vested interests have made room for a science which can be defined very broadly to include any information that can highlight the history, geography, material culture and background of any culture of the ancient past that relates to the Bible and specific texts of the Bible (cf. Fritz 1987:7-14), even the Song of Songs (henceforth SOS). The question of archaeology corroborating 'historical information' is excluded from the outset by the poetic genre 1 of SOS. There is no historical event or major architectonic marker described in the Songs that can be discovered in order to prove that it occurred or existed. The SOS probably 1.Even if Fischer (2010:13-18, 211-229) is correct regarding SOS as being 'zwischen Poesie und Erzählung', the text remains poetry and the narrative is not a historical narrative. Contribution: Although archaeology cannot inform everything in the text, the continuous archaeological endeavour has the hermeneutical function to transpose the reader into the ancient life (love) world (pun intended), preventing him or her of anachronistic projection of the present-day readers own world into the text, but also appreciating the (possible) common human condition which the present-day reader shares with the world of the text.

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 1993

On the methodology of a holistic history of ancient Israel In this article certain issues relatin... more On the methodology of a holistic history of ancient Israel In this article certain issues relating to the concept ‘holistic historiography’ are clarified. Thereafter follows a reflection on methodology that would be appropriate for holistic historiography, involving the critical use of biblical and extra-biblical sources, Syro-Palestinian archaeology, historical geography, sociology, psychology and secondary literature.

Verbum Et Ecclesia, Feb 3, 2008

Deuteronomy 15:1-18 and the eradication of poverty in (South) Africa Poverty is a problem of both... more Deuteronomy 15:1-18 and the eradication of poverty in (South) Africa Poverty is a problem of both the present day and the ancient world. Endeavouring to draw inspiration from the ancient text of Deuteronomy 15:1-18 to benefit the eradication of poverty today, attention is given in this article to the contexts of the ancient text as well as the context of today. In view of the available resources in the world, it is concluded that through a re-appropriation of the basic values undergirding the biblical text and applying the measures prescribed by present day "clinical economics", it is probable that extreme poverty can be eradicated in the foreseeable future or at least be largely reduced. 194 DEUTERONOMIUM 15:1-18 1 Vir 'n kort oorsig oor die navorsingsgeskiedenis van die ontstaan van Deuteronomium waarvan hier ruimskoots gebruik gemaak word, vgl Childs (1979:202-210) en Nicholson (1967).

Old Testament essays, 1994

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 2021

Neotestamentica, 2016

The present-day world is marked by religious conflict (especially amongst the monotheistic “Abrah... more The present-day world is marked by religious conflict (especially amongst the monotheistic “Abrahamic” religions) to such an extent that it is often asserted (especially by neo-atheists like Dawkins and Harris) that the world would be a better place without religion. It is argued in this contribution that focus on the historical Jesus and his “religion” (especially his teaching on peacemaking and religious inclusivity), constitutes the key to the elimination of religious conflict. In this regard the work of Jewish (e.g., Buber, Lapide, Vermes, Moore) and Christian (e.g., Theissen, Borg, Crossan, Charlesworth et al.) historical Jesus scholars will be interfaced with the image of the (historical) Jesus that one encounters in the Qur’ān (cf. Parrinder, Mourad). A hermeneutical reflection that endeavours to appropriate Jesus’s call to peacemaking in the present-day world concludes the article.