OBST520_Discussion Board 2
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Philosophy
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Apr 3, 2024
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Explain the essence of Tanner's argument that parallels in the structure of the Song of Songs are critical to interpreting the book. What is the message of the book according to Tanner?
Explain Tanner's view concerning the message of exclusivity in love within the context of Solomon's polygamy? In Tanner's view, who is the hero of the Song of Songs?
Explain your approach to the Song of Songs. Does Tanner's article support your view or challenge it?
In his article, “The Message of the Song of Songs,” J. Paul Tanner sets out to provide an interpretation of Songs from the literal-didactic view and expanding on the thoughts of Robert Laurin. The literal-didactic, Tanner expresses, “takes the book in an essentially literal way… while at the same time recognizing that there is a moral lesson to be gained that goes beyond the experience of physical consummation between the man and the woman.”
1
In his interpretation, Tanner argues that parallels that exist in the structure of Songs in important to grasp. Tanner points to the “dream theory’ as one interpretive theory to consider. However, he adds, “To suggest that a great extent of the book is actually a dream is going too far.”
2
The parallels between what appear to be dream sequences in 3:1-5 and 5:2-8 bookend the
sequence of the wedding day found in 3:6-5:1. Tanner notes several parallels in this section, such as each begins using language hinting about a possible dream and the brides failed search for her lover.
3
These parallels leave Tanner to proclaim, “Such parallels cannot be easily dismissed as mere coincidence.”
4
Therefore, properly interpreting the dreams reveals the message of the book, which is provided by the bride who teaches Solomon about how to love as God intended, committed, and mutually exclusive, an illustration of the relationship 1
J. Paul Tanner, “The Message of the Song of Songs,” Bibliotheca Sacra 154: 613 (1997): 142. https://biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/bsac/song_tanner.pdf
.
2
Ibid., 146.
3
Ibid.
4
Ibid., 147.
to come between Christ and his bride, the church. Tanner states, “she becomes the heroine of the book, and she (rather than Solomon) renders the moral homily in the book’s conclusion.”
5
From the beginning, the young Shulamite girl has been prepared to live a morally pure life. Her brothers show concern for, Tanner explains, “the future of their young sister and the temptations that would undoubtedly come her way as she went through adolescence.”
6
The brothers, who desire their sister be as a “wall” and not succumb to sexual advances, are relieved to hear her proclaim, “I am a wall” (8:10). Therefore, in keeping herself pure for the day of marriage, she had longed to find someone who would love her exclusively, one who also honored the blessing of marital intimacy. However, she reveals her insecurity with her love for Solomon due to the hundreds of wives and concubines that vied for his attention. This insecurity is revealed through the dream sequences surrounding her wedding day. Tanner states, “In the first dream section (3:1–5) the bride eventually found the one she loves, but in the second one (5:2–8) she did not.”
7
The apparent tension created by the differences in morality between the chaste of the bride and the polygamy of Solomon is evident. However, Solomon could not see the forest for the trees. Tanner explains, “Solomon was mutually infatuated with her, but he was blinded from seeing the possibility of an exclusive relationship. Hence he exclaimed in 2:2, “Like a lily among the thorns, so is my darling among the maidens” (lit.,“daughters”).”
8
In light of the desires of the bride, Songs becomes more than a story of a wedding and consummation of such. While Songs is a love 5
Tanner, “The Message,” 160.
6
Ibid., 143.
7
Ibid., 147.
8
Tanner, “The Message,” 159-160.
story filled with sexual intimacy, Tanner explains, “but now in the conclusion her expectations go far beyond this.”
9
Therefore, in the context of this interpretation, the Shulamite bride becomes the hero who, Tanner proclaims, “ has delivered the great moral lesson of the book.
10
For me, I had always read Songs at the surface level for what it appeared to be. A love story that revealed the feelings of the husband, Solomon, to his new bride. A love for her that
he lifted above all others. However, after reading Tanner’s article with a new set of lenses, the perspective of the story changes when viewed from the bride’s eyes. Like many of the stories in Scripture, each character has their point of view as to what is taking place in the context of the story. Tanner’s view from the bride brings a different aspect that reflects a life lived as God intended with the desire to have a love in which God desires. They go deep into the desires of the Shulamite girl; true love transcends the physical desires that are satisfied to the one who is satisfying. Their relationship, Tanner states, “There is a level of love far beyond sexual satisfaction, a love that is exclusive and possessive, having no room for intruders.”
11
And this is the love God desires with His children. 9
Ibid., 159.
10
Ibid.
11
Ibid., 161.
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