Watching a biblical narrative : point of view in biblical exegesis / Gary Yamasaki.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Yamasaki, Gary.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bible--Criticism, Narrative.

Bible.

Perspective (Linguistics).

Physical Description:

vii, 230 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

New York : T&T Clark, [2007]

Summary:

This unique volume by New Testament scholar Gary Yamasaki is written for biblical exegetes as the first complete guide to the literary concept of the "point of view." He argues that the selection of one point of view over another can affect how the reader understands a text and that point-of-view analysis should be included in the standard process of biblical exegesis. In developing a methodology to both recognize and discern the significance of the shift in point of view throughout biblical narrative, Yamasaki employs the insights of nuanced secular literary criticism that have confused many biblical scholars regarding the understanding of perspective. This confusion arises because biblical scholars are concerned with how an understanding of point of view in the biblical narrative affects the interpretation whereas secular scholars emphasize both evaluating the effectiveness of point of view and the study of poetics, the systematic science of literature.

After considering the concept of point of view and whether it can be read back into ancient texts, he then traces its use in literary works and criticism in the age of the modern novel. Yamasaki then examines recent analyses of linguistic constructions that produce different points of view. Working next through both the New and Old Testament scholarship on the concept, he formulates his methodology of point-of-view analysis and applies it to an actual text of biblical narrative. This treatment is completed with an anticipation of related issues in biblical interpretation that might be served through the implementation of his methodology.

The workings of point of view in a text are often taken for granted in biblical scholarship and left unscrutinized. Yamasaki brings this overlooked concept to the forefront to submit it to the same analysis provided to the more popular and conventional hermeneutical issues. This innovative work offers fresh insight on the matter of perspective.

Contents:

Chapter 1 Point of View and Literary Criticism 11

Chapter 2 Point of View and Linguistics 44

Chapter 3 Point of View and Narrative Criticism: New Testament 68

Chapter 4 Point of View and Narrative Criticism: Old Testament 111

Chapter 5 A Methodology for Analyzing Point of View in Biblical Narratives 152

Chapter 6 Application of Methodology to Luke 19:1-10 188.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 212-216) and indexes.

ISBN:

9780567026958

0567026957

OCLC:

181424051