Introduction This paper will evaluate the claim that Proverbs endorses a mechanistic view of divine justice. Firstly, this paper will provide a brief overview of the doctrine of the “Acts-Consequence” nexus as outlined in Koch’s thesis of divine retribution. Secondly, this paper will evaluate the evidence substantiating this claim through scholarly evidence. Finally, this paper will draw a clear conclusion as to the outcome of the evaluation process.
The Acts-Consequence Nexus
Koch, in 1955, formulated the thesis known as the Acts-Consequence Nexus, a mechanistic view of divine justice. This theory argues that the righteous and the evil, receive in themselves and through their own actions, the consequences they deserve. Consequently, the …show more content…
Fox claims that the scribes of Proverbs believed in a God who was directly involved in the retribution of any given act. Furthermore, Fox states that scribes held to a belief that God created a just world and any resulting consequence of an action must be viewed as divine retribution. Moreover, evidence for this claim is presented both in Proverbs 26:27 and similarly in Psalms 7:11-14, “he who digs a pit will fall into it.” Therefore, on the surface this proverb substantiates the immediacy of retribution as a result of human action. The argument here is that the scribes were naïve and that notions of mechanistic retribution are attributed to their blind faith in a moral …show more content…
Hatton attacks the Greek translation, stating that during the translation process the Greek scholars aimed to reduce apparent contractions to create a more pious, harmonious text. Moreover, Joosten contributes further evidence to this claim in his description of the characteristics of the Septuagint. Joosten states that the Greek scholars took into consideration Ideological, exegetical and contextual reasoning along with a knowledge of Biblical Hebrew in the creation of the Septuagint. The argument presented here refutes that of those supporting mechanistic retribution; the correct interpretation of this proverb according to the Hebrew text, still states that violent men gain riches (11:16). Consequently, if Proverbs endorses wealth as a reward for wisdom and righteous living but then alludes to the reality of the contrary the contradiction still stands (Proverbs 3:3-4, 16;
The Acts-Consequence Nexus
Koch, in 1955, formulated the thesis known as the Acts-Consequence Nexus, a mechanistic view of divine justice. This theory argues that the righteous and the evil, receive in themselves and through their own actions, the consequences they deserve. Consequently, the …show more content…
Fox claims that the scribes of Proverbs believed in a God who was directly involved in the retribution of any given act. Furthermore, Fox states that scribes held to a belief that God created a just world and any resulting consequence of an action must be viewed as divine retribution. Moreover, evidence for this claim is presented both in Proverbs 26:27 and similarly in Psalms 7:11-14, “he who digs a pit will fall into it.” Therefore, on the surface this proverb substantiates the immediacy of retribution as a result of human action. The argument here is that the scribes were naïve and that notions of mechanistic retribution are attributed to their blind faith in a moral …show more content…
Hatton attacks the Greek translation, stating that during the translation process the Greek scholars aimed to reduce apparent contractions to create a more pious, harmonious text. Moreover, Joosten contributes further evidence to this claim in his description of the characteristics of the Septuagint. Joosten states that the Greek scholars took into consideration Ideological, exegetical and contextual reasoning along with a knowledge of Biblical Hebrew in the creation of the Septuagint. The argument presented here refutes that of those supporting mechanistic retribution; the correct interpretation of this proverb according to the Hebrew text, still states that violent men gain riches (11:16). Consequently, if Proverbs endorses wealth as a reward for wisdom and righteous living but then alludes to the reality of the contrary the contradiction still stands (Proverbs 3:3-4, 16;