Thesis (DTh (Old and New Testament))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / In this study the very relevant theological-ethical question of social identity and intergroup
conflict is looked at. This is done by reading the Book of Nahum multidimensionally as an
“Oracles Concerning the Nations” text, and as part of the Book of the Twelve. The
multidimensional methodology includes a combination of synchronic and diachronic reading
strategies, the implementation of social identity theory and self-categorization theory, the
focus on ideological-critical aspects and theological-ethical questioning. In the process of
research the underlying dynamic of social identity construction of ancient Israel is uncovered
and theological-ethically appropriated.
In the first two chapters the problem of the global rise of extreme nationalism, racism and
zenophobia is noted. The very diverse post-apartheid society of South Africa, as well as the
post-nazi and post-unification German society is mentioned. The Book of Nahum, an Oracle
“Concerning the Nations” text, is chosen as avenue for studying the dynamic underlying the
construction of social identity in ancient Israel. It is suggested that while a one-dimensional
reading strategy may lead to an exclusivist intepretation of Nahum that fosters a theological
ethic of intolerance and hate, a multidimensional reading strategy leads to a theological ethic
of liberation, responsibility and peace.
Chapters 3 and 4 give a research overview of the study of ancient Israel’s identity as well as
how the Book of Nahum is to be understood with regards to its dating, unity, stucture and
historical situation. The research overview shows how incorporating social identity theory and
self-categorization theory provides a better and more integrated perspective on social identity
than what has been done up to now. The social psychology theories are summarized into five
working premises. The background study of Nahum comes to the conclusion that Nahum
should be read synchronically in its diachronical development from the pre-exilic Assyrian
crisis with its polarized political inter-group conflicts to the exilic/post-exilic situation with its
unique search for a new beginning, identity and hope.
Chapters 5 and 6 contain the exegetical explication of the Book of Nahum. Nahum 1:9-
14;2:2-3:19 is interpreted as a pre-exilic construction of social identity. Nahum 1:2-8;2:1 is
read as an exilic/post-exilic text. The inter-group dynamic between the Yahweh-Alone
movement and the pro-Assyria party (pre-exilic) as well as the Deutero-Isaiah group with its theological opponents (exilic/post-exilic) are interpreted in terms of the five social identity
premises. Although social identity construction in Nahum does follow the main premises of
discrimination and prototypical ingroup favouring a surprising ambiguous undercurrent of
self-criticism as apposed to ethnocentrism is discovered in both historical situations. Apart
from the social identity, a strong movement towards liberation from oppression is present in
the Book of Nahum.
This underlying ambiguous dynamic of social identity construction and the liberatory rhetoric
of Nahum is appropriated theolgical-ethically in Chapter 7. A theological-ethical model,
which combines the role of identity in ethics, the concept of “natural law”, the responsibility
ethics of Levinas and a focus on liberation, is suggested as a useful instrument for interpreting
the theological-ethically uncomfortable Oracles Concerning the Nations texts. Chapter 8
summarizes the study and points out the research’s contribution towards Old Testament
methodology (exegetical and ethical), Nahum studies as well as providing a possible
theological-ethical solution to intergroup conflicts (religious, cultural, political etc.) from an
Old Testament perspective.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/1406 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Bosman, Jan Petrus |
| Contributors | Bosman, H. L., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old and New Testament. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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