C.G. Jung och Leo Perdue om Jobs bok : En jämförande receptionsstudie

Sammanfattning: This study in Old Testament exegesis is focused on two interpretations of three central passages in the book of Job, by C.G. Jung in Answer to Job (1952) and Leo Perdue in Wisdom in Revolt – Metaphorical Theology in the Book of Job (1991). The study examines the questions addressed to the book of Job by Jung and Perdue respectively, and the expectations that are imbedded in their readings. The concepts of "horizon of expectation" and "gaps" from Reception theory are central to the interpretation.  More particularly, the study examines the interpretations by Jung and Perdue of two passages in the book of Job where there is a verbal confrontation between Job and God, and the very last sequence of the book, the epilogue. These scenes also represent what W. Iser calls "gaps" (Leerstellen) in the narration, ambiguous passages, designed to activate the reader’s participation in the interpretation of a text. In the study, the horizon of expectations of Jung and Perdue respectively, is outlined and compared. The results show that, while the theologian Perdue is interested in the psychological aspects of Job’s process in relation to God, Jung, the psychologist, paradoxically is focused on the theological question of God’s character and being.  The study’s point of outlook is that in each interpretation of a text, the reader’s horizon of expectation is embedded. When it comes to Bible commentary, layers of historical contexts and theological tradition shape the interpretative work. Nevertheless, each reader also confronts the text anew while reading, within the frames of his own experiences and expectations.