Theology

Even though the Gospel of John is among the texts that have most shaped Western culture, its medieval reception has received little scholarly attention so far. The contributors to this volume address this research lacuna by discussing the medieval reception of the Gospel and its author across genres and media.

In this epigraphical commentary, the author examines the apostle Paul's first Epistle to the Thessalonians in the light of ancient inscriptions. He proposes new interpretations to better appreciate the significance of the letter in its socio-historical and epigraphic context.

Many parts of the Pentateuch emerged in response to the rise of postexilic diaspora communities, reflecting the socio-historical discourse on the question of Israel's identity. Kishiya Hidaka examines the development of diaspora themes between the Pentateuch and the prophetic traditions.

Rapid developments in technology and society often erode normative boundaries of socially evolved structures that are commonly taken for granted. The contributors to this volume examine the interrelations between processes of norm formation and conceptions of the conditio humana against the backdrop of cultural and technological innovation.