The teeth of poisonous dragons : the dialogue between divine judgement and divine benevolence in the Book of Wisdom
The purpose of this thesis is to examine the dialogue that exists between the themes of divine judgement and divine benevolence as they are presented in the Book of Wisdom. I hope to demonstrate that these themes provide continuity, coherence, and an integrated reading of the text. The methodology by which I explore these themes is an examination of the literary genres employed by the author, as well as the techniques, structures, vocabulary, and verbal repetitions. I also make comparisons with other contemporary literature where this is significant. The background to this examination is set out in the Introduction in which I have discussed the issues of the unity of the text, its genre, and possible provenance and dating. I have, further, attempted to present the literary and philosophical world from which the text emerged. The Book of Wisdom falls naturally into four sub-divisions, with a fifth section providing the theodicy which underpins the action and reflection of the other four. In fact, because of the complexity of the structure of the book, three of these units form part of one larger unit. For purposes of clarity, I have retained five-fold division for the analysis, each of the five divisions forming
McGlynn, Mary E. C.
BL Religion
The teeth of poisonous dragons : the dialogue between divine judgement and divine benevolence in the Book of Wisdom. The purpose of this thesis is to examine the dialogue that exists between the themes of divine judgement and divine benevolence as they are presented in the Book of Wisdom. I hope to demonstrate that these themes provide continuity, coherence, and an integrated reading of the text. The methodology by which I explore these themes is an examination of the literary genres employed by the author, as well as the techniques, structures, vocabulary, and verbal repetitions. I also make comparisons with other contemporary literature where this is significant. The background to this examination is set out in the Introduction in which I have discussed the issues of the unity of the text, its genre, and possible provenance and dating. I have, further, attempted to present the literary and philosophical world from which the text emerged. The Book of Wisdom falls naturally into four sub-divisions, with a fifth section providing the theodicy which underpins the action and reflection of the other four. In fact, because of the complexity of the structure of the book, three of these units form part of one larger unit. For purposes of clarity, I have retained five-fold division for the analysis, each of the five divisions forming
teeth dragon dialogue divine judgement divine benevolence book wisdom purpose_examine dialogue exists theme divine judgement divine benevolence present book wisdom hope theme provide continuity coherence integrate reading_text explore_theme examination_literary genre employ author well technique structure vocabulary verbal repetition also_make comparison contemporary literature significant background examination set introduction_discuss issue unity text genre possible provenance dating attempt present literary_philosophical world text emerge book wisdom fall naturally sub divisions fifth section provide theodicy underpins action reflection fact complexity structure book unit form part_one large unit purpose clarity retain fold division analysis division form