‘Character Reconstruction in the New Testament (1): The Theory’, ExpTim 127.8 (2016): 365-374 (original) (raw)
Related papers
A Theory of Character in New Testament Narrative. Minneapolis: Fortress Academic, 2014.
https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9781451472219/A-Theory-of-Character-in-New-Testament-Narrative. In this study in three-dimensional character reconstruction, Cornelis Bennema presents a new theory of character in the New Testament literature. Although character has been the subject of focused literary-critical study of the New Testament since the 1970s, Bennema observes that there is still no consensus regarding how character should be understood in contemporary literary theory or in biblical studies. Many New Testament scholars seem to presume that characters in Greco-Roman literature are two-dimensional, “Aristotelian” figures, unlike the well-rounded, psychologized individuals who appear in modern fiction. They continue nevertheless to apply contemporary literary theory to characters in ancient writings. Bennema here offers a full, comprehensive, and non-reductionist theory for the analysis, classification, and evaluation of characters in the New Testament. Reviews: JTS 66 (2015): 362-364 RBL 05/2015 http://www.bookreviews.org/pdf/9805\_10833.pdf
‘Character Reconstruction in the New Testament (2): The Practice’, ExpTim 127.9 (2016): 417-429
This article, and its prelude “Character Reconstruction in the New Testament (1): The Theory,” explore how character can be reconstructed from the New Testament text. In this article, I first reconstruct the character of Jesus’ mother in the canonical Gospels, and then account for the differences between the four portrayals. Part of my conclusion is that Luke, of all evangelists, presents the richest characterization of Mary. Both Luke and John are sympathetic to women, which also shows in their positive evaluations of Jesus’ mother compared to those of Mark and Matthew. While the inclusion of the infancy narrative contributes to a higher characterization of Mary in Luke, it does not do so in Matthew. Despite the low degree of characterization in Mark and John, Jesus’ mother has very different roles in the plot in the two accounts. In Mark, she is simply a functionary for Jesus to define “family” (one she is not part of), whereas in John she is on Jesus’ side and functions as a catalyst for two significant events in his ministry.
A methodology for the analysis of characterization in Old Testament narrative
1992
litay 1992 5 narratives of the Hebrer^r Bible offer exarnples of many individuals, such as Abraham, Joseph or David, who are fleshed out in recurring narratives, although only one or two character traits nay come into pl.ay in any particular story. Close1y related to the concept of roundness is the idea of developnent:
BibInt (Open Access), 2021
This Introduction provides an overview of a cognitive-narratological approach to characters and characterization in New Testament narratives. We begin by comparing conventional and cognitive approaches to New Testament characters and characterization, and delineating a practical methodology designed to sensitize readers to a variety of interpretative possibilities that arise from the cognitive turn within narratology. Afterwards, we apply that methodology in three ways. First, we acquaint readers with the prospect of tracing characters within one New Testament narrative. Then, we hint at the analysis of character migration, that is, a character's development across more than one narrative. Finally, we provide insight into the analysis of character emotions and the readers' empathy with characters. To illustrate these aspects, we focus on examples from the Gospel of Mark.
Both 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 analyse 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 analyse and evaluate the characters' responses to Jesus in relation to the Fourth Evangelist's evaluative point of view, purpose and dualistic worldview.
2021
This Introduction provides an overview of a cognitive-narratological approach to characters and characterization in New Testament narratives. We begin by comparing conventional and cognitive approaches to New Testament characters and characterization, and delineating a practical methodology designed to sensitize readers to a variety of interpretative possibilities that arise from the cognitive turn within narratology. Afterwards, we apply that methodology in three ways. First, we acquaint readers with the prospect of tracing characters within one New Testament narrative. Then, we hint at the analysis of character migration, that is, a character's development across more than one narrative. Finally, we provide insight into the analysis of character emotions and the readers' empathy with characters. To illustrate these aspects, we focus on examples from the Gospel of Mark.