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The Theology of promise - A Multicultural Interpretation of the Patriarchal History

Han, Dong-Gu 1

1평택대학교

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ABSTRACT

By many specialists so far, the perspective of salvific-history has been applied to the reading of the patriarchal history in the book of Genesis. On the other hand, the present study aims to go beyond the perspective and read the principles of multicultural life in the patriarchal history. The Israelites were living together with the gentiles, who were stronger than them and whom the Israelites were subject to. While the former, the perspective of salvific-history, has mainly concerned what YHWH did on behalf of Israel for her protection, the latter pays attention to what YHWH did for the salvation of both Israel and the gentiles and what Israel did on behalf of the gentiles. The Israelites contrived to survive in the midst of the neighboring gentiles; however, conversely, they also sought the ‘middle’ way in order to live side by side with other nations, even helping their way through. We find three principles of multicultural life in the patriarchal history, especially in Genesis 18: 1-19. First, YHWH, in the likeness of a wandering stranger, appeared before Abraham, another wandering stranger. Though YHWH God’s the (absolute) Other is to be differentiated from the humane Other, he appeared as the Other before those who were yearning for him. Second, God, the Other, gives hope to those who are like wandering strangers. He himself visited the aged couple, who was infertile and hopeless, but left them hopeful. God did not ignore the wandering strangers in despair but opened a hopeful way for them not to be extinct. Third, God’s promise of hope creates a new identity. The promise of a son that God gave to Abraham and Sarah was a seed and a key what played a significant role in the multicultural context of life. The Israelites do not live alone; they live together with other nations and, notably, mediate God’s blessing to them and for them. Investigating ‘the principles of multicultural life’ will open a way for the 21st century Korean churches and society to walk forward, for 'Israel and the gentiles' and 'Korea and other nations' to walk together, and for Korea to walk on as a vital servant of the world. The principles of life in the Bible may develop to be the principles of Korean life and further of global life, ultimately realizing the world of God.

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