19-06-'08 | W.K. vd Molen

PhD student

W.K. van der Molen

Date and time

19 June 2008, 2.45 p.m.

PhD thesis

Een ban om te mijden. Bouwstenen voor een bijbels-theologische verkenning [A ban to avoid. Building blocks for a biblical-theological exploration]

Supervisor

Prof. E.Noort

Research into the ban in Old Testament texts

In her PhD thesis Wieteke van der Molen describes how the concept of the ban develops throughout the Old Testament texts. It shows that the text of Joshua 7, which was previously regarded as ‘deviant’ or problematic, has great influence on the image of the ban in the rest of the Old Testament.

The first part of Van der Molen’s thesis discusses the role of the ban in the final form of the chapter Joshua 7. Although the concept of ‘corporate personality/responsibility’ has had great influence on the exegesis of Joshua 7, it must be dismissed as a solution to the chapter’s problems. In addition, the alleged contagious properties of the ban do not provide a solution either.

A brief overview of research into the Old Testament ban to date is followed by a discussion in part 2 of all Old Testament ban texts. Van der Molen maps the growth of the concept of ban in Old Testament texts on the basis of their canonical order, demonstrating that the ban not only plays a crucial role in Joshua 7 but that this chapter itself greatly affects the growth of the concept of ban and its meaning, as well as the way it functions in Old Testament texts. Within the Book of Joshua, chapter 7 determines the emphasis on the role of the ban in the conquest. Although after the Book of Joshua the image of the ban is shattered, the impression made in Joshua 7 leaves traces in virtually all references.

Wieteke van der Molen (Nieuwe Niedorp, 1975) studied theology and religious studies at the University of Groningen and conducted her PhD research at the department of Biblical Studies of the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies with a grant from the Doopsgezind Seminarium. She currently works as a minister for the United Mennonite congregation of Barsingerhorn, Zijpe Noord-Zijpe Zuid, Wieringermeer and Medemblik. /ES