Biblical interpretation through rhetorical criticism: Augmenting the grammatical/historical approach

Jeffrey Dean Arthurs, Purdue University

Abstract

This dissertation analyzed the New Testament book of James as a sample of biblical literature to discern in what ways rhetorical critical methods supplement the grammatical/historical method as tools for interpretation. Accordingly, in four successive chapters James was criticized with four different methods: Grammatical/historical, cluster/agon, Toulminian, and generic. Each of the methods elucidated different aspects of the text. In the final chapter, it was argued that a rhetorical approach to biblical interpretation is highly compatible with the grammatical/historical approach since both emphasize the importance of close textual reading, cultural context, and speaker-audience relationships as guides to meaning. A second conclusion was that a rhetorical approach supplements the grammatical/historical method in three areas: Textual analysis, biblical hermeneutical theory, and homiletical usage of the Bible. In brief, this dissertation argued that a rhetorical perspective is ideally suited to reveal that which the grammatical/historical method only hints at: How the ancient documents functioned to change the attitudes, beliefs, and actions of its readers.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Burks, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Theology|Language|Bible

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