Anne Knafl

This volume examines divine anthropomorphism in the Hebrew Bible, a study characterized by disagreement and contradiction. Discussions of anthropomorphism in the Hebrew Bible are typically found in three areas of inquiry: ancient Israelite religion, as reflected by the compositions of the Pentateuch; comparisons with ancient Near Eastern religions; and comparison with ancient translation and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible. Contradictory arguments exist, both within each area of study and between them, about the intent of biblical writers, with respect to a theology of anthropomorphism. In this work, Knafl asserts that biblical studies has reached this impasse, largely due to its approach to the study of the phenomenon. The prevailing method has been to study divine anthropomorphism within an assumed framework of polemic and by associating it with a theological system. By contrast, Knafl analyzes divine anthropomorphism as a literary-contextual phenomenon and seeks to build a typology, from which secondary arguments regarding theology or history of religion may be built. This typology will provide scholars of biblical studies, history of religion, and (systematic) theology with a means of evaluating divine anthropomorphisms and their relation to human-divine interactions, as a biblical phenomenon.

Presentation slides for talk.
Anne K. Knafl is the Bibliographer for Religion, Philosophy, and Jewish Studies at the University of Chicago Library. In this role, she manages the Library's collections in Religion, Philosophy and Jewish Studies, and provides research support to faculty, students, and staff in these areas. Anne will discuss her attempts over the past year to use exhibit spaces in the Library to respond to national trends and events, such as the rise of the number and prominence of hate groups in the U.S. in 2017.

Presentation slides for talk. Anne K. Knafl is the Bibliographer for Religion, Philosophy, and Jewish Studies at the University of Chicago Library. In this role, she manages the Library's collections in Religion, Philosophy and Jewish Studies, and provides research support to faculty, students, and staff in these areas. Anne will discuss her attempts over the past year to use exhibit spaces in the Library to respond to national trends and events, such as the rise of the number and prominence of hate groups in the U.S. in 2017.

The Old University of Chicago was incorporated in 1856. The first classes were held on September 9, 1858. In their annual catalogue for 1859-60, the University reports their Library has 2,000 volumes. (1) Over the next twenty-seven years, the University grew its collection to approximately 7,000 volumes. When the original University closed in 1886, trustee John A. Reichelt purchased the entire collection with the intention of gifting it back to the University once reincorporated. In the interim, the books were held by the Baptist Union Theological Seminary. These 7,000 volumes formed the basis of the library of the University when it was reestablished in Hyde Park in 1890. They represent a physical connection between the Old University of Chicago in Bronzeville and the "New" University of Chicago that exists today.

Biblical scholars typically consider genre as part of their analysis of a biblical text. The literary genre of Deuteronomy is most commonly compared to either a treaty covenant or to a law code. Deuteronomy contains clear parallels to the treaty structure preserved in Hittite and neo-Assyrian traditions. At the same time, the central place of the Deuteronomic Code (12:1–26:19) suggests that Deuteronomy is a law code. Deuteronomy shares characteristics in common with other genres, such as exhortation, and traditions, such as wisdom. The defining characteristic of Deuteronomy is appropriation and reinterpretation of earlier compositions and forms.