Author

Robert Clancy

Date of Award

9-1-1990

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Sacred Theology (STM)

Department

Exegetical Theology

First Advisor

Paul Schrieber

Scripture References in this Resource

Deuteronomy 12:23-25; Exodus 20:24; Ezekiel 33:25; Genesis 31:46; Hebrews 10:4; Hebrews 9:22; Judges 21:25; Leviticus 1:1; Leviticus 10:10-11; Leviticus 16:16; 18; Leviticus 16:30; Leviticus 16:33; Leviticus 17:10-12; Leviticus 17:11-20; Leviticus 19:26; Psalm 51:5; Zechariah 9:7

Abstract

It should be noted from the start that "objectivity” as it is commonly understood is not a goal of this thesis. The primary reason is that such objectivity is considered Tobe impossible. That is, if by "objectivity" one means that one reads and studies a text without presuppositions and without a hermeneutic, then one is striving after wind. No reader is a tabula rasa. All scholars read texts from within a given school of thought. Historical critics have certain presuppositions regarding texts, for instance, starting with the assumption that cultic material is late (post-exilic). Redaction critics assume the existence of an editing tradition; form critics assume that knowing the form of a text enables the reader to pinpoint the Sitz im Lebenin which it was written. In this thesis, the operating philosophy is not objectivity, but honesty. That is, this reader comes at the text with certain hermeneutical predispositions; it has been his purpose to remain constantly aware of and consistent in the use of these predispositions.

This, of course, opens this thesis up to the charge of subjectivity. Note that the stated purpose of the thesis was to present "one reader's attempt" to understand the text. It does not claim to have the final word. But neither is it merely subjective. The readings given in this work are supported by textual evidence, and by a strong tradition of reading. It is hoped that the views expressed herein will make some small contribution to the on-going task of studying the sacrifices of the Old Testament.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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