Overview

"This study establishes a concept of culture and then combines it with Geertz' anthropological concept of ""thick description"". Subsequently, the relation of texts to society and culture is discussed. In this manner, multiple methods of interpretation are used in an organized and programmatic way, allowing the reader insights into the development of early Christianity. In this study, Vernon Robbins expounds and develops his system of socio-rhetorical criticism, bringing together social-scientific and literary-critical approaches to explore early Christanity. This book investigates Christianity as a cultural phenomenon, and treats its canonical texts as ideological constructs."

Full Product Details

Author:   Vernon K. Robbins
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint:   Routledge
Dimensions:   Width: 13.80cm , Height: 1.70cm , Length: 21.60cm
Weight:   0.362kg
ISBN:  

9780415139984

ISBN 10:   0415139988
Pages:   296
Publication Date:   05 September 1996
Audience:   College/higher education ,  General/trade ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.

Table of Contents

Preface 1 THE CHALLENGE OF SOCIO-RHETORICAL CRITICISM 2 REDRAWING THE BOUNDARIES WITH SOCIO-RHETORICAL CRITICISM 3 INNER TEXTURE: EVERY READING HAS A SUBTEXT 4 INTERTEXTURE: EVERY COMPARISON HAS BOUNDARIES 5 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL TEXTURE: EVERY MEANING HAS A CONTEXT 6 IDEOLOGICAL TEXTURE: EVERY THEOLOGY HAS A POLITICS 7 THE PROMISE OF SOCIO-RHETORICAL CRITICISM

Reviews

'The arenas which Robbins outlines and explores form the basis of a valuable and integrated approach to textual interpretation, and the aim of drawing together literary-rhetorical and social-scientific methods is both timely and important.' - Expository Times 'New Testament scholars, and interpreters of the Bible in general, ought to be glad of this book ... Robbins has now written an extremely significant new book offering a method whose entire vision is shot through with the belief that things can be different ... Robbins' work constitutes a significant turning point in biblical studies and the sooner it is reckoned with, the better.' - Stephen W. Need, Reviews in Religion and Theology 'Whether perspective or method, Robbins' socio-rhetorical analysis suggests a promising journey in the study of Early Christian texts.' - Science El Esprit 'If you find the questions raised by Professor Robbins irresistible, then he offers a scholarly and demanding analysis which makes many connections between a rich variety of recent approaches to the Bible.' - Robin Gill, Church Times

This body of work shows the rift between conservative and radical readings that has opened, with great publicity, in the controversy over the Jesus Project. Like many books...this one becomes more interesting as it leaves theory behind. - Christianity and Literature Pay attention to this volume; it is a stimulating, thoughtful, and fascinating read . - Religious Studies Review challenging and enlightening ... the most in-depth and systematic discussion to date of the method of Biblical interpretation known as socio-rhetorical criticism. - Seminary Studies Robbins has provided for the reader ... the fruits of a decade of methodological reflection, which should be read and welcomed by all interpreters of scripture. - Ashland Theological Journal Robbins offers us a new language and metaphor for the enterprise of interpretation... The result is a handbook on critical theory that can be usedprofitably by advanced students and professors. ...Robins has led us to take a tremendously important step toward a comprehensive approach to interpretation. I applaud Robbins's work as a significant methodological advance beause it defines the potential for complementary relationships between approaches to interpretation that have developed largely in isolation and sometimes in antagonism to one another. -R. Alan Culpepper, McAfee school of Theology, Mercer University, Teaching Theology & Religion

This body of work shows the rift between conservative and radical readings that has opened, with great publicity, in the controversy over the Jesus Project. Like many books...this one becomes more interesting as it leaves theory behind. <br>- Christianity and Literature <br> Pay attention to this volume; it is a stimulating, thoughtful, and fascinating read <br>. <br>- Religious Studies Review <br> challenging and enlightening ... the most in-depth and systematic discussion to date of the method of Biblical interpretation known as socio-rhetorical criticism. <br>- Seminary Studies <br> Robbins has provided for the reader ... the fruits of a decade of methodological reflection, which should be read and welcomed by all interpreters of scripture. <br>- Ashland Theological Journal <br> Robbins offers us a new language and metaphor for the enterprise of interpretation... The result is a handbook on critical theory that can be usedprofitably by advanced students and professors. ...Robins has led us to take a tremendously important step toward a comprehensive approach to interpretation. I applaud Robbins's work as a significant methodological advance beause it defines the potential for complementary relationships between approaches to interpretation that have developed largely in isolation and sometimes in antagonism to one another. <br>-R. Alan Culpepper, McAfee school of Theology, Mercer University, Teaching Theology & Religion <br>

Author Information

Vernon K. Robbins is Professor of Religion at the Department and Graduate Division of Religion, Emory University. He has published widely in the field of biblical interpretation. Among his works are Jesus the Teacher: A Socio-Rhetorical Interpretation of Mark (1984) and New Boundaries in Old Territory (1994).

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions