Deryck Sheriffs

This article examines the hermeneutical starting points, frames of reference and assumptions that are involved in investigating ‘personhood’ in the Old Testament. It samples texts from creation, the Jacob narrative, royal history, proverbial wisdom, and psalms with the emergence of our species, family dynamics, power politics and biblical spirituality in mind. The Old Testament offers us a colourful and holistic perspective on being human and relating to God without it being a handbook on biology, neuroscience or cognitive development.

An exploration of spirituality and being human expressed through responding to God, as presented in the Old Testament and applied to contemporary life.
Motifs include life journey, walking with God, meditation and reflection, confronting God in anger and desperation, guilt and restoration, the world of work and the marking of times and seasons. Featuring Job and Jeremiah, psalmists and sages mulling over the experience of life and emotions, seeking wisdom and the presence of God.

The best starting point for an examination of the theme and theology of the Exodus in the Old Testament is the Psalter, for here is recorded the living faith of Israel over a long period. The compilation of the Psalter from its earliest poems to its latest additions and final editing spans several centuries. It is a collection of collections, revised and edited more than once. Most scholars today agree that its material ranges in date from pre-exilic to late post-exilic, there being a swing away from an extravagant preference for a Maccabean dating of many Psalms. The Exodus theme to be found in the Psalter thus falls within a broad historical sweep. In the Psalter, individual and communal expressions of faith both have their place. Personal Psalms lay bare the human heart with the gamut of its emotions from despair to deep joy and praise. Psalms which were used corporately draw together the worshiping community in a way which reveals the unity of Israel, the nation, to be founded upon their relationship to Yahweh. Into the fabric of individual and national life, the thread of the Exodus faith was woven. Our task is to follow this thread, and discover the pattern which it weaves against its background. In the analysis which follows, each of the five Books of the Psalter will be examined in turn, the important passages being dealt with first, then the oblique references to the Exodus, and, lastly, those which may be described as conjectural. There are some nine Psalms which deal directly with the Exodus and the wilderness wanderings ... Chap. 1, p. 1.

This updated and revised paper explores Nebuchadnezzar's theology of the High God's involvement in his individual creation, conception, birth and his destiny, election, vocation and success. It cites his own inscriptions in his authentic words of dedication and his prayers. Nebuchadnezzar's core beliefs hold up a mirror where contemporary beliefs may see themselves reflected. One reflection is Putin's invasion of Ukraine and its supportive doctrine has been identified as 'the "Russian World" heresy' by signatories to a Declaration issued 13 March 2022.

The best starting point for an examination of the theme and theology of the Exodus in the Old Testament is the Psalter, for here is recorded the living faith of Israel over a long period. The compilation of the Psalter from its earliest poems to its latest additions and final editing spans several centuries. It is a collection of collections, revised and edited more than once. Most scholars today agree that its material ranges in date from pre-exilic to late post-exilic, there being a swing away from an extravagant preference for a Maccabean dating of many Psalms. The Exodus theme to be found in the Psalter thus falls within a broad historical sweep. In the Psalter, individual and communal expressions of faith both have their place. Personal Psalms lay bare the human heart with the gamut of its emotions from despair to deep joy and praise. Psalms which were used corporately draw together the worshiping community in a way which reveals the unity of Israel, the nation, to be founded u...

This article examines the hermeneutical starting points, frames of reference and assumptions that are involved in investigating ‘personhood’ in the Old Testament. It samples texts from creation, the Jacob narrative, royal history, proverbial wisdom, and psalms with the emergence of our species, family dynamics, power politics and biblical spirituality in mind. The Old Testament offers us a colourful and holistic perspective on being human and relating to God without it being a handbook on biology, neuroscience or cognitive development.

A reader-friendly exploration of biblical interpretation and application of the message of the first canonical scroll collection, embracing creation and human origins, liberation, justice and covenant community, land issues, an earthed spirituality and future hope.
With questions for each chapter for reflection and discussion

The prophets of Israel whose oracles formed a bulky part of sacred scripture for Jew and then Christian spoke to Israel and the surrounding nations about their futures. Whether these futures were destruction, forced submissions or voluntary acknowledgment of Israel's God hanged in the balance. Interpreters have adopted different reading strategies. These strategies are evaluated within their Ancient Near Eastern context.

This paper presents a selection of evidence for the importance of a sense of continuity to individuals and their families by drawing on a variety of sources, including story, wisdom reflection, grave marker, inscribed memorial stone with portrait, ghost ritual, adoption document and will. The new covenant demonstrates God's response to this deep-seated human need for continuity.