Approaches to the Figure of 'Divine' Wisdom in the Book of Proverbs

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Modem Feminist approaches [c. 1000 words]

Discussing the contemporary sociological perspective of modern feminism to ‘divine’ wisdom should involve a brief overview of the theology’s focus. McGrath suggests that ‘Feminism is a global movement, arguing for gender equality and a right understanding of the relationship between women and men to be affirmed by contemporary theology and practice’ (McGrath, 2011: p.88). Thus, when discussing wisdom in the scriptures the feminists are observing how gender is represented and the effect of this representation upon helping or hindering a ‘right relationship’ between the genders.

To recap, Proverbs illustrate Wisdom as both teacher and as a personified woman, whereas in John, Wisdom is incarnate in the Being Jesus. Matthew is similar to John in that Jesus is presented more like, as Dunn explains, ‘the embodiment of divine Wisdom’ (Dunn, 1980) This is due to Matthew seemingly deliberately editing Q source in order to incorporate wisdom Christology. Similar wisdom Christology editing of Q source also seems to have taken place in Luke as Jesus talks of himself as the ‘go-between’ for God and the world (Luke 10:22)

However, both these books illustrate wisdom as being subjected to the needs of the creator, the wisdom teachers and the gospel writers to the point where wisdom no longer has a prominent or individual place. Fiorenza realised that although the initial reflections on Jesus were all sophialogy, they progressed to being overwhelmed by patriarchy:

When one moves from Jewish Wisdom literature to early Christian writing the figure of Divine Wisdom seems to disappear. Yet a symptomatic reading, which attends to traces and tensions inscribed in the text, can show that a submerged...

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...New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company.

Koptak, P.E. (2008) 'Personification', in Longman, T. and Enns, P. (ed.) Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings, Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic.

Lamarche, P. (1997) 'The Prologue of John', in Ashton, J. (ed.) The Interpretation of John, 2nd edition, Edinburgh: T & T Clark Ltd.

Lucas, E. (2003) Exploring the Old Testament Volume 3: The Psalms and Wisdom Literature, London: SPCK.

Martin, J.D. (1995) Proverbs, Sheffield: SAP.

McGrath, A.E. (2011) Christian Theology: An Introduction, 5th edition, Chichester: Wiley- Blackwell.

Morris, L. (1995) The Gospel According to John NICNT, Michigan: Eerdmans.

Murphy, R.E. (1990) The Tree of Life: An Exploration of Biblical Wisdom Literature, New York, London: Doubleday.

Wright, N. (1992) The New Testament and the People of God, Minnepolis: Fortress Press.

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