Summary Carsten Polanz describes the thinking, speaking and writing of Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwī, a Musli... more Summary Carsten Polanz describes the thinking, speaking and writing of Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwī, a Muslim legal scholar, author and TV preacher. By doing so, he offers insights into a person who has been shaping many people in the Arabic-Islamic world and, at the same time, provoking them through his theses. The author does not limit himself to the analysis of the main publication, but relates it to other publications, legal opinions and sermons of this influential contemporary. Through his critical reflection on al-Qaraḍāwī Polanz also points out how important it is to have clear definitions of central notions such as ‘freedom’ and ‘tolerance’ for use in the media and social and political discussion. These notions are used, among other places, in the Muslim critique of al-Qaraḍāwī. Résumé Carsten Polanz présente ici la pensée, les discours et les écrits de Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwī, un spécialiste musulman du droit, auteur de divers ouvrages et prédicateur a la télévision. Il apporte ainsi un écl...
Baden's advocacy of a so-called neo-documentarian approach to the Pentateuch is well known, and i... more Baden's advocacy of a so-called neo-documentarian approach to the Pentateuch is well known, and it will be no surprise to most readers to learn that in this volume he discovers that almost every instance of the patriarchal promise can be attributed to one or other of the classical Pentateuchal sources, J, E and P (the only exception is Gen 22:15-18). This argument sets him at odds with Rolf Rendtorff's devastating methodological critique of twentieth century Pentateuchal criticism. Rendtorff, it will be recalled, argued for a consistent form-critical approach that saw the patriarchal promise as a secondary means to unite blocks of tradition. A central part of Baden's clearly written book, therefore, is a detailed description of Pentateuchal scholarship on the promises, and a critique of earlier discussions of the promises, most especially, Rendtorff and the direction in which much continental scholarship has moved since his study published in 1977. Baden's critiques are often incisive, though the difficulties in analysing the subtle differences between the patriarchal promises, the bloated claims for Deuteronomism, or the basis for excising supposed secondary passages are problems that have been raised before and are much debated. Problems arise, however, in Baden's overly simple portrayal of his interlocutors. There is no "nondocumentary school" except in the perspective of neo-documentarians who wish to construct the debate as a binary contest. The constructive element of Baden's book is found in the last two chapters. In the first of these Baden discusses the theology of the patriarchal promises in each of the Pentateuchal sources. The value of this discussion does depend on whether or not the reader believes in the Pentateuchal sources, whose existence Baden does not demonstrate here. Nor are any of the questions that have troubled the documentary theory raised. In favour of his analysis Baden does claim the resolution of the narrative contradictions that the reader of the canonical Pentateuch encounters. The final chapter returns to the canonical text, which is where Baden began his book. Commendably Baden tries to Book List Vetus Testamentum 66 (2016) 155-180 show how the patriarchal promise functions in the canonical Pentateuch, and how his analysis into different sources might help that reading. The emphasis on beginning and ending with a canonical reading is a surprising new note in Baden's work and seems to be at odds with some of his earlier pronouncements on the Pentateuch's incoherence. It is, however, a welcome sign that Baden has nuanced his theories in the light of other analyses.
Servant Leadership, Social Entrepreneurship and the Will to Serve
Robert K. Greenleaf mentions Exod 18:13–27 several times in his reflection on servant leaders. He... more Robert K. Greenleaf mentions Exod 18:13–27 several times in his reflection on servant leaders. He suggests that this passage supports a top-down delegation from leadership. The paper revisits this suggestion about Exod 18:13–27 but reads these verses closely in its literary context and in light of the distinction between authority and power. The storyline of Exodus indicates that Moses’ authority is fairly new and has been contested frequently. His emerging authority must relate to authority already established, for example, the authority of the elders. This reading suggests that Moses does not delegate power when appointing judges. Rather, they participate in his emerging authority and this view has implications when reflecting on this passage and what it says about leadership. Perhaps, such a reading of Exodus 18 and its implications are closer to Greenleaf’s ideas than he thought.
Summary Bristow offers an important contribution to really crucial issues. He deals with many sig... more Summary Bristow offers an important contribution to really crucial issues. He deals with many significant aspects, stimulates further thinking and invites one’s own positioning. The author impressively demonstrates the value of theological reflection growing from the interaction with others and developing its meaning in such setting. His book excels through helpful observations and important perspectives, which offer many beneficial stimuli. This represents the successful start of a series and more volumes will hopefully follow soon. Résumé Bristow apporte ici une contribution importante sur des questions cruciales. Il aborde de nombreux aspects pertinents, stimule la réflexion et invite le lecteur à se positionner. Il montre de façon impressionnante l’intérêt d’une réflexion théologique qui progresse dans l’interaction avec d’autres et qui élabore sa signification dans un tel contexte. Cet ouvrage est excellent en vertu de ses observations utiles et de ses perspectives importantes,...
Summary Carsten Polanz describes the thinking, speaking and writing of Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwī, a Musli... more Summary Carsten Polanz describes the thinking, speaking and writing of Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwī, a Muslim legal scholar, author and TV preacher. By doing so, he offers insights into a person who has been shaping many people in the Arabic-Islamic world and, at the same time, provoking them through his theses. The author does not limit himself to the analysis of the main publication, but relates it to other publications, legal opinions and sermons of this influential contemporary. Through his critical reflection on al-Qaraḍāwī Polanz also points out how important it is to have clear definitions of central notions such as ‘freedom’ and ‘tolerance’ for use in the media and social and political discussion. These notions are used, among other places, in the Muslim critique of al-Qaraḍāwī. Résumé Carsten Polanz présente ici la pensée, les discours et les écrits de Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwī, un spécialiste musulman du droit, auteur de divers ouvrages et prédicateur a la télévision. Il apporte ainsi un écl...
Baden's advocacy of a so-called neo-documentarian approach to the Pentateuch is well known, and i... more Baden's advocacy of a so-called neo-documentarian approach to the Pentateuch is well known, and it will be no surprise to most readers to learn that in this volume he discovers that almost every instance of the patriarchal promise can be attributed to one or other of the classical Pentateuchal sources, J, E and P (the only exception is Gen 22:15-18). This argument sets him at odds with Rolf Rendtorff's devastating methodological critique of twentieth century Pentateuchal criticism. Rendtorff, it will be recalled, argued for a consistent form-critical approach that saw the patriarchal promise as a secondary means to unite blocks of tradition. A central part of Baden's clearly written book, therefore, is a detailed description of Pentateuchal scholarship on the promises, and a critique of earlier discussions of the promises, most especially, Rendtorff and the direction in which much continental scholarship has moved since his study published in 1977. Baden's critiques are often incisive, though the difficulties in analysing the subtle differences between the patriarchal promises, the bloated claims for Deuteronomism, or the basis for excising supposed secondary passages are problems that have been raised before and are much debated. Problems arise, however, in Baden's overly simple portrayal of his interlocutors. There is no "nondocumentary school" except in the perspective of neo-documentarians who wish to construct the debate as a binary contest. The constructive element of Baden's book is found in the last two chapters. In the first of these Baden discusses the theology of the patriarchal promises in each of the Pentateuchal sources. The value of this discussion does depend on whether or not the reader believes in the Pentateuchal sources, whose existence Baden does not demonstrate here. Nor are any of the questions that have troubled the documentary theory raised. In favour of his analysis Baden does claim the resolution of the narrative contradictions that the reader of the canonical Pentateuch encounters. The final chapter returns to the canonical text, which is where Baden began his book. Commendably Baden tries to Book List Vetus Testamentum 66 (2016) 155-180 show how the patriarchal promise functions in the canonical Pentateuch, and how his analysis into different sources might help that reading. The emphasis on beginning and ending with a canonical reading is a surprising new note in Baden's work and seems to be at odds with some of his earlier pronouncements on the Pentateuch's incoherence. It is, however, a welcome sign that Baden has nuanced his theories in the light of other analyses.
Servant Leadership, Social Entrepreneurship and the Will to Serve
Robert K. Greenleaf mentions Exod 18:13–27 several times in his reflection on servant leaders. He... more Robert K. Greenleaf mentions Exod 18:13–27 several times in his reflection on servant leaders. He suggests that this passage supports a top-down delegation from leadership. The paper revisits this suggestion about Exod 18:13–27 but reads these verses closely in its literary context and in light of the distinction between authority and power. The storyline of Exodus indicates that Moses’ authority is fairly new and has been contested frequently. His emerging authority must relate to authority already established, for example, the authority of the elders. This reading suggests that Moses does not delegate power when appointing judges. Rather, they participate in his emerging authority and this view has implications when reflecting on this passage and what it says about leadership. Perhaps, such a reading of Exodus 18 and its implications are closer to Greenleaf’s ideas than he thought.
Summary Bristow offers an important contribution to really crucial issues. He deals with many sig... more Summary Bristow offers an important contribution to really crucial issues. He deals with many significant aspects, stimulates further thinking and invites one’s own positioning. The author impressively demonstrates the value of theological reflection growing from the interaction with others and developing its meaning in such setting. His book excels through helpful observations and important perspectives, which offer many beneficial stimuli. This represents the successful start of a series and more volumes will hopefully follow soon. Résumé Bristow apporte ici une contribution importante sur des questions cruciales. Il aborde de nombreux aspects pertinents, stimule la réflexion et invite le lecteur à se positionner. Il montre de façon impressionnante l’intérêt d’une réflexion théologique qui progresse dans l’interaction avec d’autres et qui élabore sa signification dans un tel contexte. Cet ouvrage est excellent en vertu de ses observations utiles et de ses perspectives importantes,...
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