Gottesbewußtsein

Christian Noack's study is based on the form-critical observation that Philo's three exegetical commentaries each have a different sociocultural context. The 'Exposition of the Law' is interpreted as a document of a political missionary theology, aimed at Jewish and non-Jewish public opinion. The 'Quaestiones' are read as a document which acts as a mediator among different schools of wisdom. The 'Allegorical Commentary' can be seen as a document of an esoteric school tradition. Three exegetical analyses show that each commentary has a special soteriological profile. The 'Exposition' is an invitation to a monotheistic consciousness of God. The images of mystical experiences have a synergistic touch. The 'Quaestiones' lead to a mystical experience, which can be described as 'monadic consciousness.' The 'Allegorical Commentary' helps to induce a non-ecstatic mystical consciousness of God, which includes the entire reality as the reality of God.