Words in Action: Speech Act Theory and Biblical InterpretationA&C Black, 2004 M07 1 - 368 pages How is the biblical text understood and how does it function in the life of the reader today? Richard Briggs first provides an illuminating introduction to the nature and claims of speech art theory. This seeks to extend our understanding of both spoken and written means of communication by seeing them not as merely representational or 'reality-depicting', but as acting or causing acts to be performed through the words themselves. Briggs goes on to discuss to what extent the application of speech act theory might be helpful in the interpretation of biblical texts. In one of the first book-length explorations of this topic, he examines in detail several biblical speech acts of particular theological significance, including the confession of sin, forgiveness and teaching. Through exploring the specific ways in which the reader is drawn into the performative action of the biblical text, and how speech act theory forces the reader to look beyond language into the world which gives the language its ability to function, speech act theory is shown to offer valuable insights within today's complex hermeneutical debate. 'A very significant volume . . . ' Alan Torrance, Professor of Divinity, University of Andrews 'An excellent piece of work . . . which is thoroughly acquainted with speech act theory and takes the debate forward in a variety of creative, exegetical and theological ways.' Dr Craig Bartholomew, University of Gloucestershire |
Contents
SPEECH ACT THEORY AND BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION | 3 |
PAST FORMS AND PRESENT FUNCTIONS | 31 |
SPEECH ACTS AND TEXTS | 73 |
CONSTRUCTION WITHOUT REDUCTION | 105 |
Aspects of SelfInvolvement in Interpreting New Testament | 145 |
THE CONFESSION OF FAITH | 183 |
THE FORGIVENESS OF SIN | 217 |
TEACHING | 257 |
SOME HERMENEUTICAL IMPLICATIONS | 293 |
Bibliography | 299 |
339 | |
349 | |
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Common terms and phrases
analysis approach argues argument assertive Bible biblical interpretation biblical text Blackwell brute facts Cambridge University Press chapter characterised Chilton Christology claim concerning confessional construal Construction context Corinthians criteria criticism Derrida developed Discourse discussion Donald Evans Eerdmans Essays ethical Evans Evans's example exegetical Faith Fish forgiveness Fortress Press Gospel Grand Rapids HDTW hermeneutic of self-involvement Hermeneutics historical idea idem illocution illocutionary act illocutionary force institutional facts involved issue J. L. Austin J. O. Urmson John John Searle kingdom linguistic literary locution logical London Matthew Meaning nature Neufeld notes notion Oxford particular Paul performative utterances perlocution perlocutionary Philosophical Investigations Philosophy of Language Pragmatics precisely propose question reprinted rhetorical role Routledge SCM Press Scripture Searle Searle's sense Sheffield significant Social Reality speech act theory stance Stanley Fish suggest T&T Clark teaching Testament Theology Thiselton tradition truth Vanderveken Vanhoozer various Wittgenstein Wolterstorff words worship
References to this book
From Consensus to Chaos: An Historical Analysis of Evangelical ... Stephen P. Dray Limited preview - 2006 |