Speaker: Judith König, Lehrstuhl für Exegese und Hermeneutik des Neuen Testaments (Chair of New Testament Exegesis and Hermeneutics), Universität Regensburg (University of Regensburg) - Academia.edu

Abstract: »The portrayal of the ‘one like a son of man’ in Rev 1 and 2 is strikingly corporeal. The text is almost hyper-focused on his appearance, detailing his feet, chest, head, hair, eyes, legs, voice, hand, mouth and face (in order of their appearance in Rev 1:13–16). Such a level of embodiment is expected within the framework of the vision of Rev 1 and considering the intertextual ties with Dan 7. However, it is striking that the openings of the letters to the seven communities in Rev 2–3 also refer to the ‘one like a son of man’ in a rather corporeal way. The paper investigates this observation through three interconnected questions: 1) What is the function of the corporeality of ‘one like a son of man’ for the letters to the seven communities, especially for the letter to the believers in Thyatira? The question will be answered with an analysis of the macro-structure and pragmatics of Rev 2–3. Specialattention will be paid to the role gender plays in describing the ‘one like a son of man’s corporeality. 2) How might the answers to question 1 contribute to the ongoing scholarly debate concerning Jezebel’s violent punishment in Rev 2:22–23? Rev 2,22–23 is re-evaluated with the answers of question 1 in mind. Having a clearer picture of the role the ‘one like a son of man’s corporeality plays for the letters to the communities will provide a fresh perspective on the arguments surrounding the possible rape threat in Rev 2:22–23. 3) What implications do the answers to questions 1 and 2 have for contouring a body theology that acknowledges the darker aspects of the corporeality of Christ figures while remaining sensitive to those affected by sexual violence and abuse? The concluding section of the paper will ask what consequences a contextual exegesis needs to draw from the answers to questions 1 and 2 when thinking about god’s body and the bodies of believers, especially keeping those readers in mind for whom implied threats of rape carry a risk of retraumatization.« (Source: Online Program)

Wikipedia: Ancient history: Ancient Near East / Ancient Israel and Judah | Bible: Book of Revelation / Revelation 1, Revelation 2, Revelation 3 | Sex and the law: Sexual violence