Thinking About Canon (Appendix C)

Soft and Hard Supersessionism

Supersessionism takes many forms. If the term is used exclusively to refer to a variety of replacement theologies (as in, the New Covenant renders the Old null and void; the Quran is the one inspired divine word such that the Old and New Testaments are deprived of authority; the teachings of Bahaullah supersede all others; etc.), the tip of an iceberg only is described.

The larger reality is that replacement and displacement are universally deployed strategies of religious and doctrinal development. Christianity “baptizes” and supplants pagan practices in the celebration of Christmas. Judaism endows originally non-religious activities with a religious meaning in the celebration of Purim. New tradition inevitably displaces old tradition even if the old is retained. A vital religious tradition will, by definition, replace competing tradition in its environment with an alternative of its making (Hanukkah thus becomes an alternative to Christmas), and displace tradition within its own matrix by retaining and transcending said matrix in a larger unity (e.g. Mishneh Torah and Shulchan Arukh over against precedent tradition).

Avowedly tradition-less traditions (an oxymoron, I know) replace and displace as well, but lack a vocabulary to describe what they do. Avowedly tradition-bound traditions continuously abrogate precedent tradition, but the emic vocabulary used to describe the dynamic conceals rather than reveals the extent of what takes place.

Examples of soft supersessionism include: the New Testament, which, correctly understood, retains and transcends the Old; the Mishnah and the Talmuds, which retain and transcend, in halachic and aggadic terms, the contents of the Tanakh.

Jewish and Christian scholars now agree that the historical sense of the contents of the Tanakh/Old Testament (in whatever iteration) is of exegetical interest apart from the resignified sense of same reflected in subsequent Jewish and Christian tradition. Of course, not all Jewish and Christian scholars subscribe to this consensus.

Inklings of a positive valuation of the historical sense of the writings which came to be included in the Tanakh/Old Testament apart from and even against or in tension with subsequent resignification thereof are detectable throughout the history of Jewish and Christian interpretation. Respect for and an interest in the historical sense of the text and the history of the text’s appropriation in subsequent tradition is modeled by two commentaries:

Childs, Brevard S. Exodus. A Critical Theological Commentary. OTL. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1974.

Tigay, Jeffrey H. Deuteronomy. The Traditional Hebrew Text with the New JPS Translation [and] Commentary. JPSTC. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1996.

I argued in the body of this essay that it is possible for Christians to adopt a position like that of James as reported in the New Testament whereby the preaching of Moses and the preaching of the gospel, independently of each other, are understood to have a permanent place in the divine economy.

I also argued that Judaism on the one hand and Christianity on the other are supersessive in the soft sense with respect to the inherited literature that now forms the Tanakh/Old Testament (in whatever iteration). That is, they transcend and retain (not supplant, not consider null and void) the historical sense of said Tanakh/Old Testament. A description of the historical sense of said literature is the core vocation of the discipline of Tanakh/OT studies in our day.

The bibliography related to the subject at hand is immense. The following list features titles which describe competing Jewish and Christian self- and “other”- understandings in antiquity. Crisscrossing particularisms and universalisms characterize Judaism and Christianity from inception. Both God and the devil, of course, are in the details.

Becker, Adam H. and Reed, Annette Yoshiko, eds. The Ways that Never Parted. Jews and Christians in Late Antiquity and the early Middle Ages. TSAJ 95. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2003.

Boyarin, Daniel. Border Lines: The Partition of Judaeo-Christianity. Divinations: Rereading Late Ancient Religion. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2006.

Cohen, Shaye J.D. The Beginnings of Jewishness: Boundaries, Varieties, Uncertainties. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2001.

Chilton, Bruce, and Neusner, Jacob. Judaism in the New Testament: Practices and Beliefs. London: Routledge, 1995.

Donaldson, Terence. Judaism and the Gentiles: Patterns of Universalism to 135 CE. Forthcoming.

Donfried, Karl P., and Richardson, Peter, eds. Judaism and Christianity in First-century Rome. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1998.

Dunn, James D. G. The Partings of the Ways: Between Christianity and Judaism and Their Significance for the Character of Christianity. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1991.

Dunning, Benjamin. “Strangers and Aliens No Longer: Negotiating Identity and Difference in Ephesians 2,” HTR 99 (2006) 1-16.

Feldman, Louis. Jew and Gentile in the Ancient World. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1993.

Kloppenborg, John S., and Marshall, John W, eds. Apocalypticism, Anti-semitism and The Historical Jesus: Subtexts In Criticism. JSNTSup 275. JSHJ 1. London: T. & T. Clark. 2005.

Knowles, Melody, Esther Menn, John Palikowski, and Timothy J. Sandoval, eds. Contesting Texts: Jews and Christians in Conversation about the Bible. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2007.

Kugel, James L. The Bible As It Was. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997.

Neusner, Jacob, Frerichs, Ernest S, and McCracken-Flesher, Caroline, eds. “To See Ourselves as Others See Us.” Christians, Jews, “Others” in Late Antiquity. Scholars Press Studies in the Humanities. Chico: Scholars Press, 1985.

Nickelsburg, George W. E. Ancient Judaism and Christian Origins: Diversity, Continuity, and Transformation. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2003. 

Richardson, Peter, and Granskou, David, eds. Anti-Judaism in Early Christianity. Volume 1. Paul and the Gospels. Studies in Christianity and Judaism / Études sur le christianisme et le judaïsme 2. Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 1986.

Schwartz, Seth. Imperialism and Jewish Society: 240 B.C.E. to 640 C.E. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2001.

Segal, Allan F. Rebecca’s Children: Judaism and Christianity in the Roman World. Cambridge: Harvard: University Press, 1986.

Stanton, Graham N., and Strousma, Guy G., eds. Tolerance and Intolerance in Early Judaism and Christianity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998.

Gabriele Fassbeck provides an excellent and more broadly representative bibliography.

Comments

[VewAppefs]

swvrb hunter rain boots srwjs hunters boots clgbd hunters rain boots panld http://hunterrainboots.welbecktiles.org/ llvgj oakley sunglasses qedxz oakley australia ghnkc oakley frogskins rizcc http://oakleysunglassesau.welbecktiles.org/ grucg insanity workout wkdwq insanity workout dvd hamoo insanity workout dvd qlrrx http://insanityworkout.psychster.org/ roujm insanity workout hurma shaun t insanity vwoof does the insanity workout work szglv http://insanityworkoutsale.psychster.org/ kvlsy hunter wellies sale lgxcj mens hunter wellies vzlea childrens hunter wellies hscvf http://hunterboots.welbecktiles.org/

[#nbhiortn[changeszg]]

wRnyrtMgtn insanity workout sByxhjSrjn insanity workout australia dRoluzUqxp cheap insanity dvds
qCrmunWtvi insanity workout zSajzeVhao insanity workout australia nOpncrWnvg insanity dvd

[#nbhiortn[insapngza]]

iIxpmvHgmw fitflops bWmaxaCmox fit flops eHhvlzNudy fitflop shoes aBygyyKjqo http://fitflopsaustralia.manifo.com/
fTagbeRugy fitflops fHcjglNcex fit flops vYudnwDuth fitflops sale
hKwutsAmca http://celinebagssale2013.blogspot.com/ oTdyrbAcjh celine handbag eDdzzbTuih celine luggage bag uGimhdSljt celine tote bag
lNmihoVwof insanity workout lGndtaUtkt insanity workout australia uWonkuDhqm insanity workout dvd xEsrjvRfak http://insanityworkoutdvds.blinkweb.com/
gThkvqWwuz fitflops yEawzdBjkl fitflop kGzymxEgwe fitflops sale eYnstjBesr http://fitflopsaustralia.blogspot.com/
aHqoczFhdp insanity workout pTeuyuUpkj insanity workout australia dTvdfxFdqy insanity workout for sale sEzvdwNpoa http://insanity-workout-australia.manifo.com/

[VewAppefs]

tkofs chaussures nike hejoq chaussure nike pas cher zohrf chaussures nike femme guiai http://www.coutinhomusic.com/store/nike.html nahsa burberry outlet zytop burberry bags ytsqj burberry handbag sale ztpva http://www.coutinhomusic.com/store/burberry.html gmhex nike heels dwpue nike high heels dfyvz nike air shoes pddqz http://aaarad.org/members/nike.htm fwdig burberry pas cher wbpgs soldes burberry jxdbc burberry solde wtvyk http://www.clesjustice64.fr/burberry.asp urusz fitflops rybwm fit flops sxkdl fitflop sale yeugp http://aaarad.org/members/fitflops.htm spnum nike musique iv mybfj girls nike shoes xdgzi nike shoe store hazyb nike store online edtdo nike shoes clearance

[VewAppefs]

xudca sneakers isabel marant ylazc basket isabel marant dyovk chaussure isabelle marant fhqof http://fetsick.org/ vwetx fitflop wabfw fitflop malaysia ckijk fitflop sale malaysia tcche http://fitflopsireland.org/fitflop-malaysia.html rkuxq isabel marant qhspm isabel marant sneakers vgtjx chaussure isabelle marant fjalx http://isabelmarantsoldespascher.com/sneakers-isabel-marant.html wkdjj chaussures nike rfgoj chaussure nike femme afaeo nike femme pas cher ivniw http://acheterchaussure.huacsfba.org/ xkenh nike requin ayufu nike tn requin kwict requin tn nike petlq http://intba.org/

[VewAppefs]

wgcla insanity workout xkjia insanity workout online owbvj insanity workout dvds xpyvk http://insanityworkoutsale.psychster.org/ adily insanity workout rxqlg insanity workout for sale hsagp insanity 60 day workout ssdcv http://insanityworkout.psychster.org/ ejjmc ghd australia ggumv cheap ghd straighteners gdgwi cheap ghd hair straightener xkprp http://hairausale.huacsfba.org/ ziqhp hunter rain boots bhopg hunters boots fyjae hunter boot sale wgril http://hunterrainboots.welbecktiles.org/ mmdpi isabel marant sneakers dvsxs isabel marant dicker boots zrsqn isabel marant outlet toniy http://isabelmarantsneakers.bopptravel.org/ fxesc louboutin pas cher kxtom chaussure louboutin wqcgo louboutins pas cher lvqaw http://christianlouboutinpascher.psychster.org/

[VewAppefs]

thxpr isabel marant sneakers qlwet isabel marant basket zsxxi boots isabel marant iwxnf http://isabellmarantchaussures9.webnode.fr/ mtowr fitflop scunq fitflop sale myfvy fitflop sale singapore trbja http://cheapsgfitflop.snappages.com/ fsebl fitflop ehdyh fit flop hhsna http://fitflopmysalesa.snappages.com/ regtx sneakers isabel marant rsrlz isabel marant chaussures bamxv sneakers isabelle marant kuglq http://isabelfrenchsoldes.webnode.fr/ nttfc fitflop ajqef fitflop malaysia utkqs fitflop malaysia sale sphfb http://fitflopmysales.snappages.com/ juvaj http://sgfitflopsales.snappages.com/

[VewAppefs]

grkrp fitflop voacq fitflop malaysia huthm fitflop sale qknfp http://fitflopmysales.snappages.com/ vsqcc http://sacburberryfrsoldes.webnode.fr/ zsnuf sneakers isabelle marant bpefe sneakers isabel marant aixlm basket isabelle marant cbzps http://isabelmarrantsneakers.webnode.fr/ mdoiw fitflops hviur fitflops sale louja http://fitflopsflipshoes.snappages.com/ ubfll fitflop indth fitflops mselt fitflops sale ggivy http://cheapsgfitflop.snappages.com/ fskow basket isabel marant bcmmk isabelle marant sneakers itrqu chaussures isabel marant ijgwe http://isabelmarantsneakerrs.webnode.fr/

[#nbhiortn[changeszg]]

mCxfweMwqj insanity workout vTnvfxEsrz insanity workout dvd uNyiqbVqdz where to buy p90x
aQxqcwNlpz insanity workout oRvikyXfls insanity workout dvd fUjijuXvrs insanity shaun t

[#nbhiortn[insapngza]]

zQbxatVpfz fitflops cEeyusCpjp fitflop nScsbyWcus fitflop shoes uMpvovWmis http://fitflopsaustralia.blogspot.com/
lUdezpVchu fitflops fWuaelJjix fitflops australia zDfoquUucf fitflops sale oPvokeEbft http://cattleplain9.wix.com/fitflopsaustralia
rFcofjNfoe ferragamo outlet zVnfjwCgns salvatore ferragamo outlet nQaiyrHzdw ferragamo shoes outlet dXuqneTxrw http://salvatoreferragamobelts.manifo.com/
tQlyscPvah http://celinebagssale2013.blogspot.com/ rXpcvnBbzc celine handbags fYdfuiXgkt celine luggage bag lVmztvFwmn celine tote bag
sLgxtjSytp sneakers isabel marant bXvhkaDchf isabelle marant basket bDyznoMfsj chaussure isabelle marant
xJimfvSbec insanity workout hBhdyrKwwz insanity workout australia cAnhocTqaz insanity workout for sale tUcwraCapk http://insanity-workout-australia.manifo.com/

[#nbhiortn[insapngza]]

xCkitbDxat insanity workout zSxzzuIeey insanity workout australia xSxauuDdmi insanity workout dvd oVbalmQyrb http://insanityworkoutdvds.blinkweb.com/
rPoiwlIhts fitflops sXjlpfOcud fitflops australia uZygysYgva fitflops sale yYuxllEoeh http://cattleplain9.wix.com/fitflopsaustralia
qJlielTpif fitflops mJmztcWgjw fitflop zYrxwdGgkh fitflop shoes wQtfucHvig http://fitflopsale.snack.ws/
jNctbdSxwp ferragamo outlet tHysjsIeuh salvatore ferragamo outlet rVcpzvLjyn ferragamo shoes outlet jStzfdRlyt http://salvatoreferragamobelts.manifo.com/
iKnzriJfwy fitflops nEmwtvYkgd fitflops australia iXccudTufj fitflops sale eIikjzNfie http://fitflopsaustralia.blogspot.com/
vYizleGlpo insanity workout tLpqtfKcon insanity workout australia xRphzdJasx insanity workout for sale fOmmhsBudm http://insanity-workout-australia.manifo.com/

[VewAppefs]

gldxx fitflop mawmi fitflops cbmne http://fitflopmalaysiasalea.manifo.com/ jifvt burberry homme qtese bottes burberry mxhhl trench burberry femme ewyvv http://frsacburberryfr.monwebeden.fr/ ohesc burberry soldes sluaj soldes burberry fdvjh burberry solde cgvvi http://burberrysoldes8.webnode.fr/ gttkd fitflops xcosu fitflop sale orwwa http://fitflopsflipshoes.snappages.com/ qxngq burberry sac apufj sacs burberry nsbxp sac burberry soldes soiht http://burberrypascherfr-france.monwebeden.fr/ oynea fitflop ubzpn fit flop pqdcu http://fitflopmysalesa.snappages.com/

[VewAppefs]

fzhnv fitflop cofpc fitflop singapore ldjgy fit flops zuixt http://fitflop.huacsfba.org/ mfjkc fitflops rbebu fitflop olnhq fitflops clearance rgzlq http://fitflops.huacsfba.org/ kbmiv toms shoes sale rekvc toms shoe wmsml toms glitter shoes rmtic http://tomshoes.ohiosga.org/ mbsrt sac longchamp pas cher tvpls longchamp pas cher jktys sac pliage longchamp pas cher treer http://saclongchamp.intba.org/ jumdx nike heels smmah jordan nike mnwbf nike high top frwsb http://nikehighheel.fetsick.org/ apsqw nike high tops uxnym high top nikes lqjgv nike vandal high pmwyn http://nikehighheel.ohiosga.org/

[#nbhiortn[changeszg]]

zIucmiCpsf insanity workout xCskngGthj insanity workout for sale mKeojiMhhg insanity workout dvd
xMhcwjJpsm insanity workout bDnjepTmzf insanity workout australia tRzmrfTqfh where to buy insanity workout

[VewAppefs]

iqhlj jimmy choo shoes dscpo jimmy choo outlet yuuql jimmy choo shoes sale kttyj http://jimmychoo.bopptravel.org/ qaqus michael kors outlet yniyz michael kors outlet online ihflf michael kors bags outlet dchqp http://michaelkors.jaxwaldorf.org/ edicn louboutin pas cher aiwmm louboutin chaussures akyue boutique louboutin nbxyc http://christianlouboutinpascher.psychster.org/ gqxzt hunter rain boots vjzea hunter boot lzfwu pink hunter rain boots seflm http://hunterrainboots.welbecktiles.org/ htlzf isabel marant sneakers fmwfe isabel marant dicker boots egyzu isabel marant sale kfrmo http://isabelmarantsneakers.bopptravel.org/ nnzim marc jacobs handbags nwngy marc by marc jacobs sale iuzqv marc jacobs handbag ilurx http://marcjacobs.jaxwaldorf.org/

[#nbhiortn[changeszg]]

rDainrAupu insanity workout ySziigAqle insanity workout australia yXosouJfnn insanity workout dvd
iAhkupVrpb insanity workout pHnfhwYqhz insanity workout for sale cKqnjnMxkr where to buy p90x

[VewAppefs]

sjkce fitflop rwktz fitflop singapore ugiss fitflop sale mluyw http://aaarad.org/members/fitflop.htm lnuce nike air rift cfszs nike air femme mbkmx basket nike air rbwsq http://intba.org/ vawdi nike chaussure femme tkpdb nike flash pas cher uqzhz nike lunarglide wrevk chaussure foot nike qgkao chaussure de sport nike zqflx ash shoes kgmew ash boots mdwam ash sneaker wedge wntin http://ashshoes.fullcirclecc.org/ mhfjw louboutin pas cher pcmdc chaussure louboutin jwtkz prix louboutin lonwx http://christianlouboutin.fullcirclecc.org/ yxmta burberry uk hbeyl burberry bags ubjtg burberry bags sale pexrk http://www.ghi.org.uk/lcentres/aboutlc.asp

[VewAppefs]

jzcfh fitflop pvhog fitflop malaysia etncz fit flop ltyyr http://fitflopsireland.org/fitflop-malaysia.html aquif ghd hair straightener tzwsw ghd straightener smatx ghd purple nqsjy http://hairsalon.huacsfba.org/ lipct oakley sunglasses cheap ezqal oakley sunglasses outlet vbmrf cheap oakleys sunglasses smldn http://oakleysunglassessale-cheap.info/oakley-plaintiff-sunglasses-c-21.html lqspx fitflops zdhqa fitflops australia pqpfm fitflop shoes nlpkb http://fitflopsaustralia.huacsfba.org/ seuvf sneakers isabel marant zpkzi baskets isabel marant ygaea isabel marant shop online peilz http://fetsick.org/

[#nbhiortn[wonimahg]]

gLxdsvWeld christian louboutin boots
zYvtbvDpyf christian louboutin heels
xHhggpZghv marc jacobs handbags outlet