Description
For at least a half century, scholars have been adopting literary approaches to the New Testament inspired by certain branches of literary criticism and theory. In this important and illuminating work, Michal Beth Dinkler uses contemporary literary theory to enhance our understanding and interpretation of the New Testament texts.
Dinkler provides an integrated approach to the relation between literary theory and biblical interpretation, employing a wide range of practical theories and methods. This indispensable work engages foundational concepts and figures, the historical contexts of various theoretical approaches, and ongoing literary scholarship into the twenty-first century. In Literary Theory and the New Testament, Dinkler assesses previous literary treatments of the New Testament and calls for a new phase of nuanced thinking about New Testament texts as both ancient and literary.
About the Author
Michal Beth Dinkler is associate professor of New Testament at Yale Divinity School. Her previous book is Silent Statements: Narrative Representations of Speech and Silence in the Gospel of Luke.
Reviews
CHOICE Outstanding Academic Titles, 2020
"This is an erudite and sophisticated account of how literary theory has informed and influenced New Testament studies. Anyone interested in New Testament studies should read this informative, thoughtful, and well-written book."-Tat-siong Benny Liew, College of the Holy Cross
"Michal Beth Dinkler's astute and lucid account of literary theories offers New Testament scholars unparalleled means of conceptualizing the possibilities of interdisciplinary interactions. This book establishes Dinkler as the premier guide to new venues for uses of literary criticism."-L. L. Welborn, Fordham University
"Michal Beth Dinkler proves a reliable guide through the dense fog of literary theory to show New Testament scholars where we have been, where we currently are, and future routes to navigate. A must read!"-Mikeal C. Parsons, Baylor University
"Michal Beth Dinkler has written the first comprehensive account of the half-century-old relationship between New Testament scholarship and secular literary theory. Incisive and illuminating, this is a book from which readers with all levels of familiarity with literary theory will benefit enormously."-Stephen D. Moore, The Theological School, Drew University
"This excellent book provides a learned overview of the different concepts of literary criticism and its (mis)conceptions in New Testament scholarship. Dinkler's work shows how historical-critical research and hermeneutical reflection should come together to study New Testament texts from today's perspective."-Jens Schroeter, Humboldt University Berlin
Book Information
ISBN 9780300219913
Author Michal Beth Dinkler
Format Hardback
Page Count 296
Imprint Yale University Press
Publisher Yale University Press
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 156mm * 25mm