Jewish Liturgical Traditions and Paul’s Use of the Old Testament

31 January 2024

Jewish Liturgical Traditions and Paul’s Use of the Old Testament

This is one of three inspiring courses offered in ETF’s Summer Colloquium, scheduled August 19–24, 2024. This international study week includes lectures, various workshops and times for meeting and reflection.

Registration is open until 1 June 2024.

The current debate on ‘Paul within Judaism’ rightly focuses on the Jewish context of the apostle, which is pivotal for understanding his message. At the same time, recent research emphasizes once again that Paul, as a follower of Jesus Christ, makes choices that alienate him from many of his Jewish contemporaries. Both aspects will be addressed in this course.

In New Testament studies, there is a wide consensus that awareness of rabbinic hermeneutical rules and principles is necessary to appreciate the apostle’s use of Scripture. This will be briefly illustrated. However, little attention has been given to the liturgical tradition as an element of Paul’s Jewish context in this regard. This aspect will be the main focus of this course. What is known about synagogal liturgy during the first century? And to what extent do liturgical reading schedules, in which texts are read and heard together, influence the way Scripture was interpreted?

Students will prepare for the course by orienting themselves in the Jewish liturgical tradition of the first century and by familiarizing themselves with some current discussions from the ‘Paul within Judaism’ debate. During the colloquium, this knowledge will be used elaborating an in-depth exegesis of several significant passages from Paul’s letters. The liturgical intertextual connections will shed new light on these passages. Simultaneously, this will sharpen the uniqueness of the apostle’s message.

DR. MICHAEL MULDER is associate professor of Judaica and New Testament at the Theological University of Apeldoorn

ETF’s Summer Colloquium in August 2024 features three inspiring courses which intersect theology, church and society. The two other courses are:

●      “Awake in God’s World, Practical Ecclesiology for Missio Dei in the 21st Century” by Prof. Dr. Jack Barentsen (ETF Leuven) and Oeds Blok MA (Baptist Seminary, Amsterdam) – this course will be offered in Dutch

●      “Pursuing Truth, Unity, and Edification, A Long History of Creeds and Confessions” by Prof. Dr. Aza Goudriaan (Protestant Theological University, Amsterdam & ETF Leuven)

This international study week includes lectures, various workshops and times for meeting and reflection. Our Summer Colloquium is compulsory for ETF Open University students open to interested people with academic qualifications and can serve as additional in-service training for pastors, teachers, and other ministry professionals.

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