Narrative Criticism of the Religious Authorities as a Group Character in the Gospel of John: Some Problems

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-245
Author(s):  
Urban C. von Wahlde
Keyword(s):  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Gospel Of John ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Narrative Criticism ◽  
Fourth Gospel ◽  
Group Character ◽  
Single Group ◽  
Critical Studies ◽  
Proper Method ◽  
Great Homogeneity

Recent narrative critical studies of the religious authorities in the Fourth Gospel have proposed, first, that the term ‘Jews’ has only one meaning in the Gospel and, second, that ‘the Jews’ and ‘the Pharisees’ constitute a single group character. However, when viewed from a different perspective, the term ‘Jews’ can be said to have three different meanings in the Gospel. Moreover, when viewed from this perspective, the various usages exhibit a remarkable consistency, one not evident when all instances are thought to have the same meaning. If only those instances of ‘the Jews’ that refer to religious authorities are studied from the point of view of narrative analysis, their character exhibits a great homogeneity but at the same time contrasts consistently with the portrayal of the character of ‘the Pharisees’ (together with ‘the chief priests’ and ‘rulers’). This article describes eight ways in which the character of the religious authorities is portrayed differently (and in a contrasting manner) in the two sets of terms, thus indicating that not all instances of the term ‘Jews’ have the same meaning and that the terms for religious authorities do not constitute a single group character, thus raising substantial questions about the proper method for interpreting these texts within the Gospel.

A Theory of Character in the Fourth Gospel with Reference to Ancient and Modern Literature

2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 375-421
Author(s):  
Cornelis Bennema
Keyword(s):  
Literary Theory ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Narrative Criticism ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Fourth Gospel ◽  
Greek Literature ◽  
Inner Life ◽  
Ancient Greek ◽  
Comprehensive Theory ◽  
Modern Fiction

AbstractBoth literary theory and biblical narrative criticism lack an articulate, comprehensive theory of character. Many Gospel critics perceive character in the Hebrew Bible (where characters can develop) to be radically different from that in ancient Greek literature (where characters are supposedly consistent ethical types). Most people also sharply distinguish between modern fiction and its psychological, individualistic approach to character and ancient characterization where character lacks personality or individuality. In Part I, we examine concepts of character in ancient Hebrew and Greek literature as well as modern fiction, arguing that although there are differences in characterization, these are differences in emphases rather than kind. It is better to speak of degrees of characterization along a continuum. In Part II, we develop a comprehensive theory of character in the Fourth Gospel, consisting of three aspects. First, we study character in text and context, using information in the text and other sources. Second, we analyze and classify the Johannine characters along three dimensions (complexity, development, inner life), and plot the resulting character on a continuum of degree of characterization (from agent to type to personality to individuality). We observe that many Johannine characters are more complex and round than has been believed so far. Third, we analyze and evaluate the characters' responses to Jesus in relation to the Fourth Evangelist's evaluative point of view, purpose and dualistic worldview.

The Aramaic Origin of the Gospel of John

1923 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 305-344
Author(s):  
Charles C. Torrey
Keyword(s):  
New Testament ◽  
Gospel Of John ◽  
Gospel Of Mark ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Fourth Gospel ◽  
High Importance ◽  
The Past ◽  
The New Testament

In the numerous discussions of the Greek of New Testament documents with reference to the question of translation from Aramaic originals, the Fourth Gospel has generally been left out of account. The language of the Synoptists has been examined very diligently from this point of view, especially during the past two or three decades, and at least one competent Semitic scholar has published material of high importance. Wellhausen, in his “Evangelium Marci” (1903) and especially in his “Einleitung in die Drei Ersten Evangelien” (1905; 2d ed., 1911), argued, perhaps not quite conclusively, for an Aramaic original of our Gospel of Mark; and he and many others have discussed, in a somewhat desultory fashion, the question of possible written Semitic sources for portions of Matthew and Luke. To the majority of New Testament scholars it probably would seem superfluous, to many perhaps even ridiculous, to raise similar queries in regard to John, whether it be proposed to regard it as a formal translation, from beginning to end, or as “based on Semitic sources”—whatever this vague and unprofitable formula may mean. Since the time when the origin and authorship of the book first began to be discussed, its essentially Hellenistic character has rarely been questioned. It is generally taken for granted at the present day, even by those scholars who are most inclined to look for “translation Greek” in the New Testament. The reasons for this are obvious, and good as far as they go.

scholarly journals Pemahaman Tentang Sayap Dalam Kitab Rut

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-58
Author(s):  
Rannu Sanderan ◽  
Yohanes Krismantyo Susanta
Keyword(s):  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Literary Work ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Narrative Criticism ◽  
The Other ◽  
Biblical Narrative ◽  
Narrative Methods ◽  
Strong Belief ◽  
Other Hand

Abstract; This article discusses the meaning of wings according to the book of Ruth in an authentic purpose.  By using the narrative methods, in more deeply, this research is intend to examine the basic motive why Ruth uses the word of wings in order to ask Boaz to spread his wings on Ruth. On the other hand, Ruth did not belong to God’s covenant nation. The perspective of the theory of narrative criticism used in this research is to look at the biblical narrative by referring to the analysis of the book of Ruth and its parts of the book as a complete literary work. The aim of this method is focusing on the storyteller or narrator, plot and scene, as well as repetition and keywords, characters, atmosphere, and point of view. The narrative analysis in the results of this paper not based on the author but merely on the text. So that readers can find out the values ​​and theological views conveyed through the text. The result of research on the meaning of wings in this text is Yahweh's own wing (2:12) as a place for Ruth to take refuge. In fact, Ruth was already under God's wing, because she had previously had a strong belief in becoming the covenant people of Yahweh.  Hoped that this study can make a theological contribution in studying the God’s sovereignty towards all nations. Abstrak; Artikel ini membahas tentang makna sayap dalam dalam kitab Rut sesuai konteks yang otentik. Dengan metode naratif, riset ini hendak mengkaji secara lebih dalam motif dasariah, mengapa Rut memakai kata sayap dalam rangka meminta kesudian Boas agar mau mengembangkan sayapnya atas Rut. Padahal Rut tidak tergolong bangsa perjanjian Allah. Perspektif teori kritik naratif yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini hendak melihat narasi Alkitab dengan mengacu pada analisa terhadap kitab Rut dan bagian-bagian kitab sebagai sebuah karya sastera yang utuh. Metode ini hendak mengarahkan fokus pada pencerita atau narrator, alur/plot serta adegan, juga pengulangan dan kata kunci, tokoh, suasana, dan sudut pandang. Setelah dikerucutkan lebih tajam, maka analisa naratif dalam hasil tulisan ini bukan pada penggubahnya tetapi ada teks. Sehingga pembaca dapat mengetahui nilai-nilai dan pandangan teologi yang disampaikan melalui teks yang diselidiki. Hasil penelitian tentang makna sayap dalam teks ini adalah sayap Yahweh sendiri (2:12) sebagai tempat bagi Rut untuk berlindung. Sejatinya, Rut sudah berada di bawah sayap Tuhan, karenya ia sebelumnya telah memiliki keyakinan kuat akan masuk menjadi umat perjanjian Yahweh. Diharapkan agar studi kepustakaan ini memberi sumbangsih teologis dalam mengkaji kedaulatan Allah bagi seluruh bangsa.

scholarly journals Analisis Narrative Criticism Kisah Simson dan Ironi Kehidupannya di Dalam Kitab Hakim-Hakim

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-113
Author(s):  
Sonny Eli Zaluchu
Keyword(s):  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Analytical Tool ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Narrative Criticism ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Primary Material ◽  
The Past ◽  
Main Emphasis ◽  
Character Identification ◽  
Complete Story

The story of Samson as Israel's last judge becomes the primary material in the narrative criticism approach as an analytical tool. This story is chosen because it is a complete story and contains many conflicts and irony. The author-speech intent of the story will be examined in the interest of today's readers. The narrative analysis method that the author uses is the background story (background); location and time (setting of time and location); storyline (plot); events and their causes (causal links); character identification; conflicts that have occurred (conflicts); tragic things (irony); relationship with other texts (intertextuality); and main emphasis (point of view). The results show that the story of Samson does not stop at the readers who are the target of the story in the past. Samson's life as a nazir becomes a reflection and an example for today's readers about the importance of respecting, maintaining, and completing every task and call of God in ​​life where God places everyone. Kisah Simson sebagai hakim terakhir Israel menjadi materi primer di dalam pendekatan kritik naratif sebagai alat analisis. Kisah ini dipilih karena merupakan sebuah cerita (stories) yang lengkap dan utuh dan mengandung banyak konflik serta ironi. Maksud penulis-tutur dari kisah tersebut akan diteliti dalam kepentingan pembaca masa kini. Metode analisis naratif yang penulis gunakan adalah latar belakang kisah (background); lokasi dan waktu (setting of time and location); alur cerita (plot); peristiwa-peristiwa dan penyebabnya (causal links); identifikasi karakter melalui tokoh (character identification); konflik-konflik yang terjadi (conflicts); hal-hal tragis (irony); hubungannya dengan teks lain (intertextuality); dan penekanan utama (point of view). Hasil yang diperoleh dari analisis ini memperlihatkan cerita tentang Simson tidak berhenti hanya pada pembaca yang menjadi tujuan kisah di masa lalu. Kehidupan Simson sebagai nazir menjadi refleksi dan teladan bagi pembaca masa kini mengenai pentingnya menghormati, menjaga dan menuntaskan setiap tugas dan panggilan Tuhan di dalam bidang kehidupan dimana Tuhan menempatkan setiap orang.

scholarly journals »We have Found the Messiah« (John 1:41) - The Formation of Disciples in the Gospel of John

2021 ◽  
Vol XIX (2) ◽  
pp. 315-329
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Nalewaj
Keyword(s):  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Gospel Of John ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Fourth Gospel ◽  
Disciples Of Christ ◽  
John 1 ◽  
Family Ties ◽  
The Gift ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
Child Of God

The disciple is a seminal topic for every Evangelist. The Johannine image of the followers of the Rabbi from Nazareth diverges from the Synoptic vision. In the Fourth Gospel, the disciples follow and serve the Master – like in Mark, Matthew, and Luke – yet the Johannine Jesus does not ask them to break their family ties or leave anything behind. A narrative analysis of the Fourth Gospel lets Culpepper consider the disciples of Christ from the perspective of their literary functions and determine the criteria of their discipleship. The critic divides their formation process into three stages related to seeing, believing, and continuing in the word. In the eyes of the reader, the followers of Jesus – perceived individually or as a community – perform functions as role models or representatives. To be a disciple is to accept the gift of becoming a child of God (John 1:12), which presumes a broad, universal perspective. For this reason, the author of John uses the term »disciple« as many as seventy-eight times, »Twelve« – only four times, while the word »apostle« is never spoken.

John as Storyteller: Narrative Criticism and the Fourth Gospel

1994 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 733
Author(s):  
R. Alan Culpepper ◽  
Mark Stibbe
Keyword(s):  
Narrative Criticism ◽  
Fourth Gospel

„Gyertek, nézzétek meg!”

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-109
Author(s):  
Levente Balázs Martos
Keyword(s):  
Gospel Of John ◽  
The Other ◽  
Fourth Gospel ◽  
The Bible ◽  
The One ◽  
Fundamental Values

The concept of motivation is related to the encouraging effect on others on the one hand and the reasons for our own actions on the other. Motivation always reflects a specific set of values and tools, as well as behavior. In our short study, some of the fundamental values characteristic of the Bible will be presented, and then we observe the motivating presence of Jesus for his disciples in the narration of the fourth gospel, the Gospel of John.

The Beloved Disciple, the Fourth Evangelist, and the Authorship of the Fourth Gospel

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Thatcher
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Gospel Of John ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Fourth Gospel ◽  
The Past ◽  
Historical Individual ◽  
Source Of Information ◽  
Beloved Disciple

Discussions of the authorship of the Gospel of John must answer two questions: who is the Beloved Disciple who is portrayed as the book’s primary source of information, and how is this individual related to the author, John the evangelist? On the first question, scholars are divided on whether the Beloved Disciple is a real historical individual or an ideal symbolic figure. Data from the text itself and from social-science perspectives on the reputations of key figures from the past suggest that both are correct: the Beloved Disciple was a legendary associate of Jesus whose presentation reflects his reputation as a source of information that was critical to the Johannine theological outlook. On the second question, data suggests that the evangelist was not the Beloved Disciple but rather a disciple of that individual, perhaps basing his own book on an earlier document produced by the Beloved Disciple.

Post-worldview? A dialogic meta-narrative analysis of North-South, South-South, and Southern theory

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 65-77
Author(s):  
Brian D. Denman
Keyword(s):  
International Education ◽  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Comparative Education ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Global South ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Discursive Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Subject Material

Purpose Utilising dialogic meta-narrative analysis, a form of inquiry based on examining the difference between voices in meaningful and relevant dialogue (Wegerif, 2006, p. 347), the purpose of this paper is to present an examination of three relevant works on theories of the global South for identifying educational patterns, themes, and biases from the worldview perspectives of the respective authors. Design/methodology/approach In comparative and international education “qualitative” research, the acceptance of differing points of view and reference have often resulted in a fragmented and fractitious affirmation of cultural relativity, whereby the pursuit of truth (Veritas) has been replaced by the pursuit and contestation of a plurality of knowledges and truths. Davies defines this as “discursive practice”, which refers to the way discourse and the production of selves produce and reconstitutes one’s social and psychological realities (Davies, 1999, p. 88). The positional and discursive worldviews relative to “other” are not only dependent on locational, contextual, and time (Zeitgeist) dimensions, but also on disciplinary methodological foundations and subjective interpretations of both experience and choice. Findings The analysis of the three scholarly works identifies issues of comparative education research from a dialogic and dialectic perspective, suggesting that relativistic notions of research are required and necessary in order to expand horizons and “break out of the box” to broaden one’s imagination. Research limitations/implications The questions raised by all three worldviews require further research: Who pays? Who benefits? Should the field contest the positional points-of-reference of comparativists? Should theory and mode of inquiry be made more clear in order to understand and discern the positional authority of the researcher and the researched? Should relevant literature addressing subject material involve greater scrutiny – if not collaboration – between scholars from different worldview perspectives? Practical implications Subjectivity, validation and significance of findings contribute to dissemination and advancement of knowledge, and if not robust or rigorous, are simply another point of view. Originality/value This is a new paradigmatic approach to problematising comparative and international research from three positional worldviews. The value in problematising the three worldviews helps to delve deeper into the issues at hand regarding the global South.

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