Erik Ewalds och Bibeln: En receptionshistorisk studie i ljuset av Gadamers hermeneutik
(2026) BIVM52 20252Centre for Theology and Religious Studies
Biblical Studies
- Abstract
- This thesis is based on the Swedish pastoral writings of Finland-Swedish priest and theologian Erik Ewalds (1918-1997). It employs Hans-Georg Gadamer’s hermeneutics together with an adapted reception-historical method to understand how Ewalds draws out meaningful and practically relevant insights from the bible. In Gadamer’s terms, this combination facilitates a fusion of horizons between Ewalds’ interpretation and the historical-literary context of the biblical texts, allowing their meaning to be made relevant. The thesis investigates John 1:14 and Rom 3:20 with a focus on the incarnation in the gospel of John, and the Pauline thoughts on sin, works of the law and divine righteousness. That way it addresses the problem of how biblical... (More)
- This thesis is based on the Swedish pastoral writings of Finland-Swedish priest and theologian Erik Ewalds (1918-1997). It employs Hans-Georg Gadamer’s hermeneutics together with an adapted reception-historical method to understand how Ewalds draws out meaningful and practically relevant insights from the bible. In Gadamer’s terms, this combination facilitates a fusion of horizons between Ewalds’ interpretation and the historical-literary context of the biblical texts, allowing their meaning to be made relevant. The thesis investigates John 1:14 and Rom 3:20 with a focus on the incarnation in the gospel of John, and the Pauline thoughts on sin, works of the law and divine righteousness. That way it addresses the problem of how biblical texts can be interpreted in ways that are both theologically sound and applicable. The study is performed through examining how Ewalds reflects upon and practically applies the texts in his context of pastoral care and human psychological growth. Ewalds does this by combining theological reflection with psychology and by resonating with general human experience, particularly in relation to anxiety, identity, guilt, shame, and self-awareness. Then the study attempts a close exegesis of the same biblical passages, by situating them in their historical, literary, and theological context, as well as analysing the words in the Greek text. John 1:14 is examined to show how the incarnation emphasizes God’s relational presence with humanity: God makes Himself accessible through Jesus Christ, and identifies with the human situation, sin, illness and depravation. Romans 3:20 is highlighted for its emphasis on the insufficiency of works of the law for achieving righteousness, illustrating the universality of human need for divine grace. Ewalds’ interpretation demonstrates how these texts together address both the condition of human sinfulness and the possibility of transformation by the love and grace of God through the help of compassion, listening, and understanding. The results show that Ewalds’ interpretations show acceptable contextual awareness. His pre-understanding is shaped by a Lutheran perspective and his interpretations are determined by their applicability in pastoral work. Through a fusion of horizons the thesis highlights some of the deeper principles at work in the biblical texts. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9219170
- author
- Åkerlund Petri, Nathan LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- BIVM52 20252
- year
- 2026
- type
- H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
- subject
- keywords
- Ewalds, själavård, bibeltolkning, Gadamer, receptionshistoria, psykologi, samvete, överjag, johannesevangeliet, romarbrevet
- language
- Swedish
- id
- 9219170
- date added to LUP
- 2026-01-19 12:57:47
- date last changed
- 2026-01-19 12:57:47
@misc{9219170,
abstract = {{This thesis is based on the Swedish pastoral writings of Finland-Swedish priest and theologian Erik Ewalds (1918-1997). It employs Hans-Georg Gadamer’s hermeneutics together with an adapted reception-historical method to understand how Ewalds draws out meaningful and practically relevant insights from the bible. In Gadamer’s terms, this combination facilitates a fusion of horizons between Ewalds’ interpretation and the historical-literary context of the biblical texts, allowing their meaning to be made relevant. The thesis investigates John 1:14 and Rom 3:20 with a focus on the incarnation in the gospel of John, and the Pauline thoughts on sin, works of the law and divine righteousness. That way it addresses the problem of how biblical texts can be interpreted in ways that are both theologically sound and applicable. The study is performed through examining how Ewalds reflects upon and practically applies the texts in his context of pastoral care and human psychological growth. Ewalds does this by combining theological reflection with psychology and by resonating with general human experience, particularly in relation to anxiety, identity, guilt, shame, and self-awareness. Then the study attempts a close exegesis of the same biblical passages, by situating them in their historical, literary, and theological context, as well as analysing the words in the Greek text. John 1:14 is examined to show how the incarnation emphasizes God’s relational presence with humanity: God makes Himself accessible through Jesus Christ, and identifies with the human situation, sin, illness and depravation. Romans 3:20 is highlighted for its emphasis on the insufficiency of works of the law for achieving righteousness, illustrating the universality of human need for divine grace. Ewalds’ interpretation demonstrates how these texts together address both the condition of human sinfulness and the possibility of transformation by the love and grace of God through the help of compassion, listening, and understanding. The results show that Ewalds’ interpretations show acceptable contextual awareness. His pre-understanding is shaped by a Lutheran perspective and his interpretations are determined by their applicability in pastoral work. Through a fusion of horizons the thesis highlights some of the deeper principles at work in the biblical texts.}},
author = {{Åkerlund Petri, Nathan}},
language = {{swe}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Erik Ewalds och Bibeln: En receptionshistorisk studie i ljuset av Gadamers hermeneutik}},
year = {{2026}},
}