Royston Morgan

Email: rrsmorgan@gmail.com

PhD Thesis title:

Thelogical Implications in the Compositional Unity of Obadiah: This PhD research will test the position that the compositional unity of Obadiah has serious theological implications. It will start with the presumption that the book is making a theological statement about the sovereignty of God and it is therefore critical how we view the book – whether as a whole or a collection of independent units. What A. Berlin says of Zephaniah may be applicable to Obadiah when he says, “Viewing it as a whole yields an interpretation much more interesting and compelling than viewing it as a collection of separate parts” (quoted in Paul Raabe, Obadiah: A New Translation and Commentary, page 18).

Scholars in arguing for or against compositional unity have not considered the theological implications, whether or not whatever side of the unity divide is postulated, it will impact on the main thrust of the book. They have never considered this as an issue. But I am arguing that this issue is a sine qua non because the book is making a theological statement about God. Therefore, the position taken on the compositional homogeneity of Obadiah will either weaken or strengthen this thrust.

Name of supervisor: Professor David Chalcraft