Prof Dr Benedikt Hensel, University of Oldenburg

This focus implies close internal networking within theology as an overall discipline. After all, the goal of research into the Old Testament, despite all the careful philological, historical, biblical-archaeological and religious-historical work, is ultimately also a theological one: the biblical texts are to be made accessible for the present, not least as an essential point of reference for Christian-Jewish and interreligious dialogue in general. The aim of biblical hermeneutics, as it is applied in teaching and research in Oldenburg, is to determine how these findings can be communicated to different contemporary publics in a scientifically and methodologically controlled and intellectually comprehensible manner.

Events and lectures (in selection):

"On the way to a biblical hermeneutics: Criteria of an Old Testament hermeneutics in the mirror of new New Testament drafts and systematic-theological considerations." Keynote lecture at the scoping workshop "Historical Context and Current Relevance: Future Perspectives of New Testament Scholarship" (University of Göttingen; Dr Clarissa Breu), 17-19 January 2024.

"Krieg und Frieden im TeNaK: von früh-jüdischen Wirklichkeitserfahrungen und theologischen Gegenentwürfen" Lecture as part of the annual programme "Krieg und Frieden in den monotheistischen Religionen" of the Leo-Trepp-Lehrhaus and Intercultural Jewish Studies, Oldenburg, 15 May 2023.

"Tolerance and diversity. Religious history(ies) as a model". Academy event with Professor Dr Benedikt Hensel, Evangelische Stadtakademie Frankfurt/Main, 27 April 2023.

"Respekt, Toleranz und Menschenrechte - Religionsgeschichte(n) als Modell", lecture series (initiation and management), University of Oldenburg (November and December 2023)

"'You shall not oppress a stranger...' (Ex 23:9) Basic features of an Old Testament refugee ethic." Lecture at the academy conference "Der Weg zum Leben. The Ethics of the Old Testament" at the Evangelical Academy Hofgeismar (Chair: Prof. Dr Rainer Kessler, Marburg), 03-05.02.2023.

Study day "Biblical theology in the context of flight and migration: Isaiah's servant as an image of God" (together with Dr Marco Visser, PThU, Univ. Groningen, NL) (at the University of Oldenburg)

Scientific publications in this field of research:

1. Hensel, B./Wetz, C. (eds.), Migration and Theology. Historical reflections, basic theological elements and hermeneutical perspectives from Old and New Testament scholarship (Arbeiten zur Bibel und ihrer Geschichte), Evangelische Verlagsanstalt: Leipzig 2023 (501 pages).
2. Hensel, B., "Selbstprädikation JHWHs und Herausführungsformel in der Dekalogeröffnung Ex 20,2-6/Dtn 5,6-10: Zur Theologie eines Gottesbildes und seiner religions- und rechtsgeschichtlichen Entwicklung," in: Hensel, B./Wetz, C. (eds.), Migration und Theologie. Historical reflections, basic theological elements and hermeneutical perspectives from Old and New Testament scholarship (Arbeiten zur Bibel und ihrer Geschichte), Evangelische Verlagsanstalt: Leipzig 2023, 329-372.
3. Hensel, B./Wetz, C., "Migration and Theology. Fundamental orientations, historical classifications and theological guidelines," in: Hensel, B./Wetz, C. (eds.), Migration und Theologie. Historical reflections, basic theological elements and hermeneutical perspectives from Old and New Testament scholarship (Arbeiten zur Bibel und ihrer Geschichte), Evangelische Verlagsanstalt: Leipzig 2023, 1-20.
4. Hensel, B., "Basic elements of an Old Testament theology of migration: a contribution to the current debate on migration-sensitive theology from the perspective of Old Testament scholarship." In: Evangelische Theologie 82/1 (2022), 19-31.
5. Hensel, B. "'Wine of the Promised Land': The Wedding Feast at Cana (JnEv 2:1-12) in the Context of Old Testament Images of Renewal and Liberation," in: Junge Kirche 1 (2021), 14-17.
6. Hensel, B., "Opening New Horizons in the Old? Biblical-theological and hermeneutical observations on Mt 1-2," in: Biblische Zeitschrift 64/1 (2020), 1-20.
7. Hensel, B., Die Bedeutung Samarias für die formative period der alttestamentlichen Theologie- und Literaturgeschichte. In: Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament/SJOT 32/1 (2018), 20-48.
8. Hensel, B., Das JHWH-Heiligtum am Garizim: ein archäologischer Befund und seine literar- und theolo-giegeschichtliche Einordnung. In: Vetus Testamentum 68/1 (2018), 73-93.
9. Hensel, B. "The one NAME and the names: Zur Bedeutung des Gottesnamen JHWH in der Bibel," in: H.-G. Schöttler (ed.), Tora predigen (Bibel und Liturgie 1/2013), Österreichisches Katholisches Bibelwerk, 66-73.
10. Hensel, B., Public church - a church leadership perspective. In: Heinemann, L./Höfle, K., Scherle, P. (eds.), Gott in der Öffentlichkeit. Die mediale Gestalt der Kirche und ihrer Praxis (Herborner Beiträge 6), Berlin 2013, 7-27 (together with Sigurd Rink).
11. Hensel, B., "Die Verhältnisbestimmung von Altem und Neuem Testament als Fundament einer christlichen Theologie - Arnold A. van Rulers Ansatz und die neuere kanonisch-intertextuelle Debatte," in: Communio Viatorum 51 (2009), 141-172.