Date

3-22-2024

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Chair

R.A. Fuhr

Keywords

Amos, Hymns, Compositional Strategy

Disciplines

Christianity | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Abstract

Scholarship on the book of Amos has oft leaned in favor of a multilayered composition of the prophetic book, citing either post-exilic motifs or unusual thematic transitions as evidence. While most of the book of Amos is typically ascribed to the prophet himself, the attribution of certain portions to the work of later redactors brings into question the integrity of the message Amos seeks to convey, especially regarding a united theological message. Proponents of redaction claim that the portions in question would not have been part of the original composition due to their contents displaying post-exilic themes. Such a reconstruction brings into question the theology of Amos, positing that an original theology of an original ‘incomplete’ composition was then modified by the redactions that completed Amos, resulting in a ‘completed theology,’ which (for some scholars) results in the existence of multiple theologies in Amos. The ramifications of such a scenario involve inconsistencies of theology from a canonical perspective, which open the entire Scripture and (of the utmost importance) the God, of whom Scripture reveals, to questions regarding historical, literary, and theological integrity. If the claims of those who suggest that an editorial process for the composition of Amos are true, then the interpretation of the theology of Scripture becomes a question of pre- or post-redaction. For example, the resulting theology that was true about God pre-redaction is not necessarily true about God after the redaction. Because of the influence of DtrH, this scenario applies to much of Scripture and creates an issue regarding the reliability of Scripture in communicating a consistent and coherent revelation about God. Of particular interest are the three hymns or doxologies in Amos, found in Amos 4:13, 5:8-9, and 9:5-6. These portions of Amos have been presumed to be part of the later redactions. Reasons for this assertion include the supposed intrusive nature of these hymnic elements and their awkward placement into the structure and thematic flow of Amos to the claim that the hymns contain later theology from their supposed cultic source in Judah. The absence of these hymns in a hypothetical ‘original composition’ would result in a different message to a different audience than that of the redactor’s audience receiving a message including an interpolation of hymns. There seem to be, however, clear textual clues within Amos, along with supporting evidence from a contextual standpoint biblically and culturally, that suggest these fragments to be an intentional and integral part of a compositional strategy attributed to the prophet himself. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the authenticity and functionality of the hymnic elements within the book of Amos to its original composition and overarching, unified theological message. As opposed to a multi-layered redaction process, which would result in fluctuating focuses for Amos, this study argues that the function of the hymnic fragments in Amos suggests a unified composition and a united theology as directed by the prophet’s compositional strategy. For this dissertation it will be important to analyze the following areas: First, this dissertation will examine the three hymnic fragments in Amos and their functionality within the composition, determining if there is continuity in function within the book of Amos and an apparent compositional strategy. The goal of this portion will be to argue for the originality and authenticity of the hymnic elements within Amos’s original composition. This study will suggest that each hymnic element functions as part of its arrangement and placement within the text, adding to the overall unity of Amos’s message. Second, this study will review instances of the use of hymnic language in three different areas: Old Testament narratives and comparative extrabiblical literature, the Prophets’ use of the Psalter, and the New Testament’s application of hymns. The study of these areas aims to establish the use of hymnic language as a regular and acceptable practice within the context of the Ancient Near East literary culture and the composition of Scripture to further indicate the authentic nature of the hymnic fragments to the original composition of Amos. After these areas have been reviewed, a section on the compositional strategy will consider the literary and theological implications of Amos’s use of the hymns. This section will attempt to engage the literary and theological contexts of the hymns in Amos to discover an apparent compositional strategy from the prophet. Finally, this dissertation will end with an overview and synthesis of the research conducted, reflecting on the conclusions reached as a result of this study, the implications for the function of hymnic elements in Amos and other parts of Scripture, and other reflections that may arise.

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