The diverse and disparate theological voices encountered in the Hebrew Bible (HB) often present a challenge to biblical scholars. In particular if it is agreed that these theological voices should be allowed to operate simultaneously and in their own right, instead of trying to incorporate them within an all-encompassing framework. Creation and death as theological themes present some of the clearest instances of such theological disparity, not only between but also within diverse theological traditions. This also applies to the HB wisdom tradition (hereafter “wisdom tradition”). By means of a selection of texts associated with the wisdom tradition, this study will investigate the theological relation of creation and death in the context of each text and the broader tradition of which it forms a part.4 Further, an attempt is made to see how these texts interrelate, and how the diverse theological voices encountered therein may be held together in a meaningful theological discourse. In tracing the trajectory of how the theological construct of God as creator in the wisdom tradition offers a framework for making theological sense of the phenomenon of death, a plea is put forth for a constructive engagement with this theological diversity.
Recognizing and maintaining this theological diversity constitutes a creative tension, and an engagement herewith on the part of theologians could open up new avenues for theological reflection in diverse present day contexts.
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