My original outline started with a section on ancient Israelite/near-east thoughts and rules on sex. This I've gotten at least a draft of written.* What I thought was to follow is commentary on modern thought on sex, but I've come to realize I need to better narrow this section's focus: we in the modern/post-modern era have said a lot of things about sex. That said, I think there are a number of contrasts to make with ancient thought that can help draw a sharper line between modern and ancient views. I think this section is going to be re-purposed to cover those. I have, I think, a whole page (oooo....) started along with an outline. I think this section has been a bit intimidating for me, and I've been avoiding it.
Additionally, I have been working on translating/reading Song of Songs. I have a chapter left to go at this point, though I have some notes of things to look up. (Mostly place names and cultural references I am unfamiliar with.) Additionally, I finally picked up a copy of Gesenius so I will need to dig through it for comments on the grammar of Song of Songs. (And I really should have had a copy before now, seeing how Avi, my advanced Hebrew prof, would reference it all the time in class.)
I think the translation/reading of the text is going to be an appendix in the thesis, along with my notes on translation. And then my exploration of Song of Songs might be limited to 2-3 sections, rather than try to produce a complete commentary on the entire text. (Or at least I may make some statements about the text as a whole but focus on the linguistic aspects of 2-3 sections, likely the more sensual places.)
After that, I think some sort of response to Hosea, Ezekiel and other prophets and their use of sex might be in order. And then some sort of "where do we go from here" section, drawing conclusions and trajectories of thought.
*Which, if anyone wants to read and give comments on, just ask.
I think the translation/reading of the text is going to be an appendix in the thesis, along with my notes on translation. And then my exploration of Song of Songs might be limited to 2-3 sections, rather than try to produce a complete commentary on the entire text. (Or at least I may make some statements about the text as a whole but focus on the linguistic aspects of 2-3 sections, likely the more sensual places.)
After that, I think some sort of response to Hosea, Ezekiel and other prophets and their use of sex might be in order. And then some sort of "where do we go from here" section, drawing conclusions and trajectories of thought.
*Which, if anyone wants to read and give comments on, just ask.
