THE HERMENEUTIC OF THE SACRED AND THE TASK OF BIBLICAL STUDIES IN A SECULARISED WORLD

  • Ferdinand Deist University of South Africa
Keywords: Biblical studies, Sacred, Religious symbols, Hermeneutic of the Sacred, Eliade

Abstract

The relevance of Biblical Studies is dependent upon the degree to which it can give meaning to the student’s life. Positivist education has, by narrowing people’s view of life to the tangible, stripped it of spiritual value of meaning. Therefore, while focussing on biblical documents, Biblical Studies has to restore to people an awareness of the sacred, and enable them to interpret religious symbols signifying meaning in the universe. It is proposed that Eliade’s “hermeneutic of the sacred’ may provide a framework which Biblical Studies may be taught in a relevant manner.

Author Biography

Ferdinand Deist, University of South Africa
Department of Old Testament
Published
2020-09-04
Section
Articles