Dependency from God, Gods, and the Divine
Initial hypothesis
Against the background of the conceptual framework of the cluster, the working group is interested in two phenomena: 1) human dependency from god, gods, and the divine and 2) divine dependencies, i.e. dependency between divine beings or from human beings and the resulting limitations of divine agencies. These forms of dependency are understood as a special case in the framework of "strong asymmetrical dependencies" as they involve non-human actors. The analysis of dependencies from the divine and of divine dependencies contributes substantially to the deeper understanding of structures of dependency between human actors and in societies of the antique world.
Goals and working mode of the working group
The short and medium term goal of the working group is to create a "thinking and discussion space" for the members. Within this framework, the group aims at enriching the research projects of members and at providing a substantial theoretical contribution to the research question of the cluster at the same time. To this end, we alternate between discussing overarching theoretical readings and engaging with special topics and the projects of the members. As a long term goal we aim at a collaborate publication of our findings.
Overarching research questions
Which characteristics, modes and dynamics define the various manifestations of dependency from the divine and divine dependency? How do both perspectives interact? Which differences determine their emergence in varying regional, temporal, cultural, and religious contexts? These questions are addressed with special attention to the Ancient Near East and the Roman Empire.
Special research questions
The projects and research interests of the current group members address
1) a comparative perspective:
- How do concepts of human dependency from the divine sphere differ in the literary genres (narratives, poems, oracles, etc.) of the "basic texts/holy scriptures" of the monotheistic religions?
- Are there special conceptual characteristics and consequences of dependency from god to be found in the monotheistic religions alone? Are there common characteristics and consequences? Are there substantial differences between the concepts of dependency from god in the monotheistic religions?
- What paradoxes arise in anthropological perspective when human freedom is linked to a concept of total "self-enslavement/submission to god" that equates "true faithfulness to god"? Are there specific lines of argument detectable in the monotheistic religions alone? Which ambiguities arise with regard to the respective images of god?
2) the dynamics and the functioning of dependency in human-divine relationships:
- Are there gradations necessary for fruitfully using the spectrum of "strong/weak" with regard to asymmetrical dependencies when involving non-human actors? Are there reciprocal relationships and reciprocal dependencies recognizable against the simultaneous asymmetrical dependency?
- How does human agency interact and limit the dependency from the divine (e.g. naming of gods)? Are there cases in which a (partial) restriction of divine agency in the relational structure between god/gods/divine and human beings is assumed, and if so, how are they embedded in the respective overall concept of divine-human dependency?
3) the pragmatics and social functions of the recourse to dependency from the divine:
- Which stabilizing and restricting social functions of dependencies from the divine are recognizable? What are the consequences of the dependency construction for the sanctioning of apostasy? To what extent does it influence and favor the idea of "total membership"?
- How is the recourse to dependency from the divine and divine dependencies used for purpose-rational and religious motives or argumentation patterns in certain fields of action (e.g. economy)? Which are the interrelation of semantics and pragmatics in this context? With which intentions is dependency addressed, used, and abused in religious language?
- How does the recourse to dependency from the divine and divine dependencies contribute to strategies of balancing of power and legitimation of domination? How can/should we differentiate our research on dependency structures from the analysis of discourses around authority, attribution of competence, legitimation and leadership?
Where
Until further notice, the working group meets via Zoom. It is our goal to switch to on-site meetings as soon as the pandemic situation permits.
Who
All BCDSS-Members and Uni-Bonn researchers whose research is interested in divine dependencies or dependencies from the divine and who wish to develop, to deepen, and to share theoretical and interdisciplinary insights into asymmetrical dependencies when including non-human actors.
When
3 meetings per semester (2h-slots).
Past meetings
- May 23, 2022, 14–16, via Zoom.
Topic: "Divine Dependency in Ancient Judaism and Emerging Christianity – Reflections and Case Studies." Discussion of a working paper by Prof. Dr. Hermut Löhr. - July/August, TBA, via Zoom
Topic: Discussion of the BCDSS Concept Paper 2/22 "On Dependence, Dependency, and a Dependency Turn. An Essay with Systematic Intent" published by C. Antweiler, who will also join the meeting.
Current Members
Ulrich Berges, Christian Blumenthal, Stephan Conermann, Jan Dietrich, Thomas Dorfner, Sabine Feist, Julia Hillner, Hermut Löhr, Wolfram Kinzig, Kirsten M. Schäfers, Julia Winnebeck
Coordination
Ulrich Berges and Kirsten M. Schäfers
