Language and Identity in Ancient Narratives
The Relationship between Speech Patterns and Social Context in the Acts of the Apostles, Acts of John, and Acts of Philip
by Julia A. Snyder
When a Christian writer refers to Jesus as “the Lord,” what does it signify? Is it primarily a way of making a political or theological statement, or might social concerns have had more influence on the writer’s choice of words? Studies of early Christianity regularly depend on a nuanced understanding of lexical significance, but current research often fails to consider social aspects of “what words mean.” Julia A. Snyder argues that methodological improvements are needed in how lexical significance in ancient Greek texts is determined, based on an analysis of the relationship between speech patterns and addressee identity in the Acts of the Apostles, Acts of John, and Acts of Philip. She also illustrates how sociolinguistic variation contributes to characterization and the construction of Christian identity in the narratives, how it sheds light on the rewriting of ancient texts, and how it informs the question of whether apostolic narratives were produced for evangelistic purposes.
When a Christian writer refers to Jesus as “the Lord,” what does it signify? Is it primarily a way of making a political or theological statement, or might social concerns have had more influence on the writer’s choice of words? Studies of early Christianity regularly depend on a nuanced understanding of lexical significance, but current research often fails to consider social aspects of “what words mean.” Julia A. Snyder argues that methodological improvements are needed in how lexical significance in ancient Greek texts is determined, based on an analysis of the relationship between speech patterns and addressee identity in the Acts of the Apostles, Acts of John, and Acts of Philip. She also illustrates how sociolinguistic variation contributes to characterization and the construction of Christian identity in the narratives, how it sheds light on the rewriting of ancient texts, and how it informs the question of whether apostolic narratives were produced for evangelistic purposes.
- By (author) Julia A Snyder
Other Titles in this Series
Der Heilige Geist bei Lukas
Theologisches Profil, Grund und Intention der lukanischen Pneumatologie
Volume 389
The Ransom Logion in Mark and Matthew
Its Reception and Its Significance for the Study of the Gospels
Volume 327
Das Wirken Jesu in Galilaa bei Johannes
Eine strukturale Analyse der Intertextualitat des vierten Evangeliums mit den Synoptikern
Volume 325
Colometric Analysis of Paul’s Letters
Methodological Foundations and Application to 2 Corinthians 10-13
Volume 603
La reconfiguration epistemique du lecteur de Marc
Perspectives synchroniques et diachroniques sur le recit du demoniaque de Gerasa (Mc 5.1-20) mis en resonance avec les jeunes hommes de 14.51-52 et 16.1-8
Volume 569
Johannine Belief and Graeco-Roman Devotion
Reshaping Devotion for John's Graeco-Roman Audience
Volume 528
Proclaiming the Judge of the Living and the Dead
The Christological Significance of Judgement in Acts 10 and 17
Volume 494
Figuren als Handlungsmodelle
Simon Petrus, die samaritische Frau, Judas und Thomas als Zugänge zu einer narrativen Ethik des Johannesevangeliums. Kontexte und Normen neutestamentlicher Ethik / Contexts and Norms of New Testament Ethics. Band VI
What was Mark for Matthew?
An Examination of Matthew's Relationship and Attitude to his Primary Source
Volume 344
Studies in New Testament Lexicography
Advancing toward a Full Diachronic Approach with the Greek Language
Volume 303
Galatians and the Imperial Cult
A Critical Analysis of the First-Century Social Context of Paul's Letter
Volume 237
The Interpretation of Freedom in the Letters of Paul
With Special Reference to the 'German' Tradition
Volume 261
Mitleid und Erbarmen im Lukasevangelium
Ein Beitrag zu Ethik und Emotionsgeschichte des entstehenden Christentums in seinem antiken philosophischen und frühjüdischen Kontext
Jesus as the Way to the Father in the Gospel of John
A Study of the Way Motif and John 14,6 in Its Context
Volume 584
Creation and Christ
An Exploration of the Topic of Creation in the Epistle to the Hebrews
Volume 527
The High Priest and the Temple
Metaphorical Depictions of Jesus in the Letters of Ignatius of Antioch
Volume 473
Ein Jesusbild im Horizont des Nationalsozialismus
Studien zum Neuen Testament des 'Instituts zur Erforschung und Beseitigung des judischen Einflusses auf das deutsche kirchliche Leben'
Volume 440
Similar Books
‘For You I Study, For You I Work, For You I Live, For You I Am Ready To Even Give My Life’
Essays in Honour of Francis (Frank) J Moloney, SDB
A Late Antique Harrowing of Hell and Its Medieval Reception
Eusebius of Alexandria's Sermons 15 and 17 (CPG 5524; 5526) and their Latin Rewritings
Volume 99
Ars Prophetica
Theology in the Poetry of Twentieth-Century Hebrew Poets Avraham Halfi, Shin Shalom, Amir Gilboa, and T. Carmi
As Messianism Turns to Heresy
The Regenstein Chair Lectures On Lurianic Kabbalah and Shabbatai Tzevi at Hebrew Union College - Cincinnati
Athanasius of Alexandria, Epistula ad episcopos Aegypti et Libyae
Old Slavonic Version and English Translation
Volume 261
Drunk the Potion, No Whit Charmed
The Doctrine of Pure and Perfect Souls from Iamblichus to Damascius
Epiphanies of the Divine in the Septuagint and the New Testament
Fifth International Symposium of the Corpus Judaeo-Hellenisticum Novi Testamenti (CJHNT), 14-17 May 2015, Nottingham
Extracanonical Traditions and the Holy Land
Texts, Rituals, and Material Culture in Late Antique Palestine
Fear, Fear of God, God-Fearers
Philological and Historical Perspectives on the World of Ancient Judaism and Christianity
