A Consideration on the Directions of Old Testament Studies in the Times of the New Normal

본 소고는 인공지능으로 대표되는 제4차 산업혁명과 코로나 바이러스(COVID-19)의 확산에 의해 촉진된 뉴 노멀 시대에 구약학이 추구해야 할 방향을 네 가지, 즉 시대정신으로서의 ‘ESG’와 생태신학적 성찰의 강화, 윤리적, 사회철학적 성찰의 강화, 공공신학적 성찰의 강화, ‘응용성서학’적 성찰의 강화를 제시한다.

Along with the development of the 4th Industrial Revolution represented by artificial intelligence, the outbreak of the coronavirus(COVID-19) is causing breakthrough changes in existing living norms and rules, and real life of modern society. Efforts to explain these changes and adapt to changing life situations are being developed in each field. In line with this trend, this paper discusses the directions that Old Testament studies should pursue. For this task, we first summarize the history of interpretation of the Ols Testament led mainly by Western scholars from the late 19th century, and then look at the deficiencies. On the basis of this reflection, I examine the some directions that Old Testament studies should pursue and strengthen in the times of the new normal. Firstly, ‘ESG’(Environment, Society, Governance) as a spirit of the times and ecological studies should be strengthened. Secondly, ethical and social philosophical issues should be strengthened. Thirdly, public theological consideration should be strengthened. Fourthly, ‘applied biblical studies’ should be developed. In conclusion, methodology refers to exploration along the path. It may be anachronistic or methodological retardation for a 21st-century scholar to follow the path of the 19th century. What we should learn from the history of interpretation is the importance of human agenda in our times. However, the history of biblical interpretation in the West lacks the anguish of the times. Even if there is, it does not fully reflect the issues of the era. Macroscopically, the time is now entering a phase of revolutionary change. As a field of humanities, biblical studies is at a point where it is necessary to renew the reorientation that responds to these changes of the times. Even microscopically, the real Christian church is shrinking day by day due to population decline and image loss. The institutional foundation of theology is also shaking. In this times of great transformation, biblical scholars who are agonizing over methodological reflection, that is, the direction of interpretation, and the dimension of interpretation. The four directions presented above are summarized by collecting what I feel are most urgent today. Each has an inner connection with each other, but it is by no means a system that everyone can relate to. It's just a suggestion.