While John’s Gospel trails the Synoptics in explicit Old Testament quotations or allusions, his n... more While John’s Gospel trails the Synoptics in explicit Old Testament quotations or allusions, his narrative style focuses on ‘evoking images and figures’ from the Hebrew Scriptures, designing each occurrence for maximum impact. This is especially apparent in John 4 where Jesus’ meeting with the Samaritan woman invites comparison with the betrothal stories in Genesis 24, 29 and Exodus 2. Multiple motifs and themes are available for exploration, but two in particular help us perceive the way John adapts the narrative archetype of betrothal to highlight Jesus’ transcendence of barriers within his gospel: one explicit by repeated mention (water) and the other conspicuous through absence (the betrothal meal).
Nowhere is the accurate translation of Scripture more pertinent than Genesis 3:1-19, concerned as... more Nowhere is the accurate translation of Scripture more pertinent than Genesis 3:1-19, concerned as it is with the misrepresentation of God’s speech and the resulting consequences for humanity. The passage is laden with implications, not least for our theological and aetiological understanding of the tensions and imbalances in male/female relations. Consequently, English translations face the challenge of maintaining accuracy and meaning while avoiding allowing existing traditions or convictions to colour translation. This paper examines the ESV, NIV and NLT translations, commenting on similarities and, in particular, differences with nontrivial potential to inform the understanding of readers in particular directions. The focus is on passages of speech, particularly as they pertain to the woman, and concludes with a proposal for the translation of God’s words to her in Gen 3:16.
In his work, De Trinitate, Richard of St Victor endeavours to corroborate faith in the Triunity o... more In his work, De Trinitate, Richard of St Victor endeavours to corroborate faith in the Triunity of God from an epistemology of faith, experience and ‘necessary’ reason (1.I, IV). He believes this is particularly important because authoritative dogmas which require belief–such as Trinitarian confession–often appear to be ‘against human reason’ (1.V). Book 3, in which Richard argues for a multiplicity of persons, has long been the focus of commentators. Because his stated methodology is ‘not according to scriptural texts, but with a rational demonstration’, Richard has been accused by some of rationalism, tritheism, and anthropomorphism, while also being lauded by social trinitarians as providing a sound basis for a ‘distinct psychology’ of divine persons through his discussion of mutual love. This paper provides a critical overview of Richard’s argument in Book 3 of De Trinitate to ascertain if some of these readings, negative and positive, are warranted.
Uploads
Papers by Kenny Innes