Narratology
Today I was reading Speaking of Jesus, Essays on Biblical Language, Gospel Narrative and Historical Jesus. It was written by Dr. Willem S. Vorster who was an eminant scholar in South Africa. He was Director of the Research Institute for Theology and Religion at UNISA, Pretoria, until his death at age 51 in 1994.
He writes that it would be fitting if scholars to study the gospels, acts and the Revelation of John as narratives. Instead of emphasizing the growth and origin of the text, focus should be on looking at the actual text and study how the material is organized, because it was the actual document, and not the origins that have been left as a legacy.
Historically-minded people may be challenged to do so, but when the documents are viewed as narratives, then the texts can be seen in a whole new way. He said the form of the texts will provide scholars insight into the creative imagination of those who were committed to the story of Jesus.
Dr. Vorster also mentioned history as being like a narrative. It's not written exactly as it happened...I heard almost this identical thing at SBL in the Mapping and Memory section. History can be as different as the person telling it.
When I was reading Dr. Vorster's book, I imagined him at my shoulder smiling. I think he'd especially appreciate knowing about the literary form of the parable...
He writes that it would be fitting if scholars to study the gospels, acts and the Revelation of John as narratives. Instead of emphasizing the growth and origin of the text, focus should be on looking at the actual text and study how the material is organized, because it was the actual document, and not the origins that have been left as a legacy.
Historically-minded people may be challenged to do so, but when the documents are viewed as narratives, then the texts can be seen in a whole new way. He said the form of the texts will provide scholars insight into the creative imagination of those who were committed to the story of Jesus.
Dr. Vorster also mentioned history as being like a narrative. It's not written exactly as it happened...I heard almost this identical thing at SBL in the Mapping and Memory section. History can be as different as the person telling it.
When I was reading Dr. Vorster's book, I imagined him at my shoulder smiling. I think he'd especially appreciate knowing about the literary form of the parable...
posted by Anne and Mike at 5:29 PM
<< Home