Published: 2022-10-15

The Sign of Jonah: Topicality of the Book of the Controversial Prophet

Stanisław Jankowski
Seminare. Learned Investigations
Section: Theology
https://doi.org/10.21852/sem.2019.2.01

Abstract

The Book of Jonah raises the question whether the Gentiles are entitled to the hope of salvation enjoyed by the Jews. The protagonist of the history illustrating this problem, is prophet Jonah, who denied them this right and was, therefore, convinced that Ninevites would reject his appeal to conversion. However, the city was converted and Jonah blamed God for the fact that history did not go his way. That story, actually a novella with satirical overtones, stigmatizes the narrow-mindedness of thinking characterizing the author’s contemporaries who adhered to the rigorous separatism of Judeans and pagans. The problem was undoubtedly relevant in the days of Christ, since it was recalled by Him in the polemic with the Pharisees. The early Church interpreted this book in the light of Resurrection. In the present article, it is argued that the Book of Jonah as a call to personal conversion not only from sins, but also from the narrowness of thinking as regards different believers, because salvation can only be ensured “the sign of Jonah”, i.e. the Paschal Mystery.

Keywords:

Prophets ST, Jonah, Jesus, Pharisees, history of Israel, Nineveh, literary critic, faith, conversion, salvation, resurrection, animals

Download files

Citation rules

Jankowski , S. (2022). The Sign of Jonah: Topicality of the Book of the Controversial Prophet . Seminare. Learned Investigations, 40(2), 11–23. https://doi.org/10.21852/sem.2019.2.01

Cited by / Share


This website uses cookies for proper operation, in order to use the portal fully you must accept cookies.