Reframing scripture: a fresh look at Baruch’s creative citation of scripture

Adams, S. (2011) Reframing scripture: a fresh look at Baruch’s creative citation of scripture. In: SBL International Meeting, London, UK, 3-7 July 2011, (Unpublished)

Abstract

It has been well documented that Baruch makes extensive use of Scripture, especially the books of Deuteronomy, Job, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and Psalms of Solomon. However, this appropriation of Scripture has often been seen as a dependence on previous narratives and lacking any form of creativity (so, Moore 1997). Furthermore, some have taken this as a claim that Baruch offers little unique theological or exegetical contribution. This paper seeks to challenge this position by claiming that, in its final form, Baruch displays an innovative and original reframing of scripture to meet theological needs of the community. Accordingly, Baruch makes use of scripture to frame the exile from Jerusalem to the Diaspora. But even more than this, Baruch uses scripture to provide a theological understanding of the people's place within God’s cosmos and ultimately concludes on a positive note, confident in final redemption. Not only is the specific selection of passages unique, but how they are juxtaposed assists the reading in determining the desired interpretation. This is particularly evident in Baruch’s “Prayer of confession” (2:6—3:8) where the intertexture is thickest (Tov 1975). Here Baruch usurps passages from Daniel and Jeremiah and recasts them a new literary setting, reforming them in a way that is both closely linked with the original setting and at the same time distinct.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Unpublished
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Adams, Professor Sean
• Authors: Adams, S.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Critical Studies > Theology and Religious Studies