The simple pleasures of big learned books!

As promised here are some Haiku verses I wrote to celebrate the beautiful, critical commentaries publishes as the Hermeneia series. They are also a tribute to Sean Winter who shares my enthusiasm for the aesthetics of book production, who like me gloats without conscience in the visual and tactile pleasure of handling and reading a beautiful book in which the knowledge it contains and the form that contains it are equally important. And near the end a three line tribute to a three volume masterpiece, Luz on Matthew.

Hermeneia  Haiku

Hermeneia, is

An ancient Greek speaking word

For hermeneutics.

.

Hermeneutics, the

Modern term for biblical

Interpretation.

.

Sumptuous volumes,

Book-buying extravagance

So hard to resist.

.

A thing of beauty,

Aesthetics and scholarship

A joy forever.

.

Luz’ magnum opus,

Winter’s desideratum

Matthean triptych.

.

Haiku PS

.

Lesser mortals ask

‘What is wirkungsgeschichte?’

Is it important?

Comments

[Sean]

Wirkungsgeschichte?
The sacred text's reception
Endless re-readings.

[Jim Gordon]

Sean, that's brilliant!
As a creative approach to asessment, how about asking students to summarise a NT book in a 5x7x5 Haiku?

Gospel of John

The Word became flesh.
Uncomprehending darkness
eclipsed by the light.

Philemon
Neither slave nor free!
Since bound together in Christ,
Free Onessimus.

[Margaret]

You guys are really increasing my vocabulary and my knowledge! I've now read about wirkungsgeschichte and I think the answer is yes, it is important! Love the assessment idea.......gets my vote at the next teaching and learning committee.

[Catriona]

If you'll grant me a PhD for one 5x7x5 I'm happy to spend the next 5 years part time perfecting it!!! A word count of 17 syllables - hmm - are foot notes extra or included?! ;-)

Read about the past
It will inform the present
Bring tomorrow's hope

(Now you know why I don't write poetry!)

[Catriona]

here is my attempt for James...

Oft misunderstood
Harmony of faith and deeds
Practical wisdom

[Jim Gordon]

Thanks Catriona - I love these Haiku summaries. Anyone else out there want to do one - if we could get them all done it would make a really good NT Introduction that students would appreciate for its brevity!