RECONSIDERING THE METHODS OF COGNITIVE ENVIRONMENT CRITICISM IN BIBLICAL STUDIES

  • Dimitrije Stanojevic
Keywords: Cognitive Environment Criticism, Old Testament, Ancient Near East, Comparative Studies, Enuma Elish, Babylonian Theodicy, Mari Prophecies

Abstract

This paper considers the methods of Cognitive Environment Criticism as a
tool for executing the comparative studies between the texts of the Old Testament and the Ancient
Near East. This balanced approach between “parallelomania” and “paralelophobia” is
deepened by the employment of the metaphor of the baptism in the river of the Ancient Near East.
This metaphor serves to point to the change that occurs in the Old Testament texts as the product
of communication or awareness of the Ancient Near Eastern texts. Change that unfolds after the
immersion in the culture and textual tradition of the neighboring countries results in Israel’s
polemical theology of immense value.

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Published
2023-12-31