Research Foci
  • Jewish Apocalypticism (esp. 4 Ezra; 2 Baruch)
  • Scripturality, the reception of Scripture and canonicity in Ancient Judaism and early Christianity
  • Ancient Jewish writings in Syriac and Ethiopic tradition
  • Digital Humanities (Text Annotation, Semantic Web)
Doctoral AbstractThesis

The Law in the Fourth Book of Ezra

Supervisor
Professor Dr. Lutz Doering
Doctoral Subject
Evangelische Theologie
Doctoral Degree
Dr. theol.
Awarded by
Department 01 – Protestant Theology
The dissertation investigates the concept of Law in 4 Ezra in a transcultural perspective. According to this Jewish apocalypse, judgement will be held on all humans according to their obedience or disobedience to "the law". This raises the central question of the study: What is meant by "the law"?
An answer is sought through exegetical analysis of 4 Ezra in its different versions. The backgrounds of the concepts of Law in this book are further elucidated from their context by comparison to other, Jewish and non-Jewish sources. This comparative analysis focuses on universalist concepts of law which are expressed in sapiential texts from Ancient Near East and in Graeco-Roman philosophy, as in the idea of a natural law grounded in reason.
The study contributes to viewing Jewish apocalypticism within its transcultural entanglements and disentanglements and to determining the relationship between universalism and particularism in Ancient Jewish thought.
Positions
Student assistant at the seminar for New Testament, Prof. Dr. Reinhard Feldmeier
Student assistant at the Collaborative Research Centre 1136 "Education and Religion in Cultures of the Mediterranean and Its Environment from Ancient to Medieval Times and to the Classical Islam" in the project "Gods and Heroes in the Classroom. Myth, Religion and Education in Graeco-Roman Egypt" (Dr. Chiara Meccariello)
Student assistant at the Seminar for Old Testament, Prof. Dr. Reinhard Müller
Student assistant at the Collaborative Research Centre 1136 in the project "Scriptural Exegesis as Educational Process in Paul's Letters" (Prof. Dr. Florian Wilk)
Student assistant at the Seminar for New Testament, Prof. Dr. Hermut Löhr
Teaching
Project
Publications
Scientific Talks
  • Neitmann, Florian; : “The Spirit of the Sofer and the Gathering of the Lost Tribes: Scriptural Mysteries in the Pesher on Psalms (4Q171) and 4 Ezra”. 25th Congress of the International Organization for the Study of the Old Testament (IOSOT) / 12th Congress of the International Organization for Qumran Studies (IOQS), Humboldt Universität Berlin, .
  • Neitmann, Florian; : “Response to the Paper by Prof. Dr. Menahem Kister, ‘The Dark Side of the Torah in Jewish Texts and Its Amplification in Pauline Epistles’ ”. SNTS General Meeting, Universität Regensburg, .
  • Neitmann, Florian : “Vigilance as a Mark of Manliness? Insights from 1 Corinthians 16:13 and Septuagint Proverbs”. SBL International Meeting and EABS Annual Meeting, Uppsala, .
  • Neitmann, Florian : “Natural Law in 4 Ezra? Revision of a Thesis”. , Universität Münster, .
  • Neitmann, Florian : “More or Less Biblical Readings: Early Jewish Texts in a Syriac Lectionary Manuscript from India”. , MF School of Theology, Religion and Society, Oslo, .
  • Neitmann, Florian : “The Reception of Texts of Jewish Origin in Christianity: A Case of Cultural Appropriation?, Universität Münster, .
  • Neitmann, Florian : “Lost and Found in Translation: The Images of the Righteous in 4 Ezra 7:122, 125 as a Case Study on Competing Methodologies and Transcultural Traditions”. , Monte Verità, Ascona, .
  • Neitmann, Florian : “The Discourse on Human Responsibility in 2 Baruch in a Transcultural Context”. , Evangelisches Stift, Tübingen, .
  • Neitmann, Florian : “4 Ezra 7:122, 125 as a Test Case for Different Methodologies”. Aarhus - Oslo - Münster New Testament Meeting, University of Oslo, .
  • Neitmann, Florian : “Astronomical Spheres as Wise Witnesses. Transcultural Perspectives on 2 Baruch”. Forschungskolloquium Neues Testament, LMU München, .
  • Neitmann, Florian : „Von Gerechten, Asketen und ganz anderen Sitten. Zugänge zum 4. Esrabuch über verschiedene Ebenen der Rezeption“. Forschungskolloquium Neues Testament und Antikes Judentum, Universität Münster, Ev.-theol. Fakultät/Institutum Judaicum Delitzschianum, .
  • Neitmann, Florian : “The Labors of the Righteous. Agonistic Terminology in the Fourth Book of Ezra in its Hellenistic Context”. , Universität Münster, .
  • Neitmann, Florian : “The Torah between Combat Sports and Cosmic Spheres. On the Reception of Deuteronomy 30:15, 19 in 4 Ezra and 2 Baruch”. , University of Zurich, .
  • Neitmann, Florian : “No Bridge over Troubled Waters. On the Absence of the Word ‘Bridge’ and the Motive of the Crossing of Natural Obstacles in Ancient Jewish Literature”. , Universität Münster, .
  • Neitmann, Florian : “Struggling for Perfection. The Suffering and Striving of the Righteous in 4 Ezra, in Ancient Judaism, and beyond”. Aarhus – Oslo – Münster New Testament Meeting, Sandbjerg Slot, .
  • Neitmann, Florian : “Jewish Law as the Way to Life after the Downfall: The Case of 4 Ezra and 2 Baruch”. , WWU Münster, .
  • Neitmann, Florian : “Transcultural Perspectives on Law in the Fourth Book of Ezra”. , Online, .
  • Neitmann, Florian : „"Canonisation and Authority in Ancient Judaism"“. , WWU Münster, Exzellenzcluster "Religion und Politik", .
  • Neitmann, Florian : “"The Concept of Law in 4 Ezra"”. Aarhus-Münster-Oslo New Testament PhD Seminar, Aarhus University, Denmark, School of Culture and Society, Department of Theology, .
  • Neitmann, Florian : “"Law and Judgement in the Fourth Book of Ezra in a Transcultural Perspective"”. , WWU Münster, Münster School of Ancient Cultures, .
  • Neitmann, Florian : „"Das Gesetz im 4. Esrabuch" (Law in the Fourth Book of Ezra)“. Forschungskolloquium Neues Testament und antikes Judentum, WWU Münster, Evangelisch-theologische Fakultät, Institutum Judaicum Delitzschianum, .