"Christian and Jewish Interpretations of Genesis 1.26-27: Dialogue and " by Rebecca Moore
 

Date of Award

8-1992

Degree Type

Master's Essay - Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Theology

Abstract

Scholars are divided over the nature and extent to which polemical concerns influenced the biblical exegesis of medieval Christians and Jews. Many find evidence of polemical intent buried within the twelfth-century exegetical writings of both faiths. A number of other scholars reject the notion that exegesis primarily served a tendentious purpose. This study compares the interpretation of Genesis 1.26-27 by two rabbis from the School of Rashi, a group of Jewish exegetes who concentrated on the literal sense of scripture, with that of two canons of the Abbey of St. Victor who also focused on the literal-historical meaning of scripture. All of these exegetes lived in northern France, and there is some evidence they were in communication with each other, or at least with their respective traditions. While the commentaries of the individuals under examination differ, they cannot be said to be polemical simply by virtue of the fact that Jews and Christians disagree on biblical interpretation. Indeed, these representatives of the two faiths find much common ground, and thus it is more accurate to say that their exegetical writings indicate a dialogical rather than polemical purpose.

Comments

An Essay submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School, Marquette University, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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