J, Ch 2 - Communication Model of Hermeneutics

Question 1

J shares 3 theories of Interpretation. What are they

Answer 1

1. Language theory
   a. Speech-Act Theory
   b. Relevance Theory
2. Literary Theory
3. Narrative Theology

Question 2

What does Speech-Act Theory say

Answer 2

It says that verbal utterances not only say things, they also do things. E.g. when a bride says ‘I do’

Question 3

What are 3 terms that we need to know that is part of Speech-Act Theory

Answer 3

1. Locution (the speaker’s SAYING)
2. Illocution (the FORCE of the saying)
3. Perlocution (the hearer’s RESPONSE)

Question 4

How is Speech-Act theory relevant to the Bible

Answer 4

1. It invites us to acknowledge that the Bible not only says things with words but it also does things with words
2. It reaffirms the interpersonal nature of the Bible’s textual communication. It reintroduces the author for interpretive consideration (it is not texts itself that warn or covenants but people)
3. It helps us to navigate the complex terrain of reader participation in written communication, without requiring us to conclude that readers “actively create meaning”

Question 5

What does Relevance Theory say?

Answer 5

It says that the meaning of a text is always contextually situated.

An utterance consist of (a) the linguistic expression and (b) assumed context.

Thus, an utterance requires hearers to infer more than is provided in the linguistic expression and hearers will select the most relevant contextual input in their interpretation.

Question 6

What does Relevance Theory mean for Biblical Interpretation

Answer 6

Since utterances include inferential meaning; and meaning of a text is always situated in a context:

a. When we read a biblical text, we need to make room for IMPLICATION/INFERENCES

b. Careful attention must be given to the BACKGROUND CONTEXT when interpreting a biblical text

Question 7

What is Literary Theory?

Answer 7

Literary Theory reflects on what literature is and how it should be interpreted

Question 8

What are the 3 concepts associated with Literary Theory (Hirsch)

Answer 8

1. Meaning
   - this is the pattern of what an author intended to communicated, conveyed through the text’s linguistic signs based on shareable conventions
2. Implication
   - (sub)meanings in a text which the author may have been unaware while writing but which nevertheless legitimately fall within the pattern of meaning h/she willed.
   - Hirsch’s definition is more focused on ‘implicit meaning’ (i.e. meaning that is not explicit, and meaning which the author may not have attended to)
3. Mental acts
   - we need to distinguish between meaning and mental acts (we after all cannot access an author’s mental state)

Question 9

Narrative Theory (Literary Theory applied to narrative texts) - What are 3 terms associated with this theory

Answer 9

1. Implied Reader
2. Implied Author
3. Point of View

Question 10

What is “Point of View”?

Answer 10

1. It is the perspective of the implied author, that is shared explicitly and implicitly in the text.
2. In epistles and poetry, the author’s POV can be heard more directly.
3. In narrative texts the POV may be communicated explicitly (thru authorial comments) or implicitly (thru the implied author’s appropriation of characters’ perspectives) =

Question 11

What is Narrative Theology?

Answer 11

It is theology that is derived from the narrative of the Bible (Hui’s paraphrase)

Question 12

What does Narrative Theology mean for Biblical Interpretation?

Answer 12

1. Narrative theology counters ahistorical tendencies in theology
2. Narrative theology claims that Scripture’s overarching narrative IS the story that must shape Christian theology and practice

Question 13

In defining meaning in communication, J introduces 5 premises. What are they?
(She defines meaning as….)

Answer 13

1. As communicative intention in contrast to mental acts.
2. As both locution (what the text says) and illocution (what the text does).
3. As both explicit and implicit meaning
4. As linguistic expression set within background-contextual assumptions
5. She sees Perlocutionary intention as an extension of meaning.

Question 14

What is J’s definition of meaning?

Answer 14

Meaning is

The complex pattern of (1) what an author intends to communicate with h/her audience (2) for purposes of engagement (3) which is inscribed in the text and (4) conveyed through use of both shareable language parameters and background-contextual assumptions.

Question 15

(Interpretation) When we enter the world of the text, we need to do 2 things:

Answer 15

1. We need to understand the background-contextual assumptions shared by author and OA
2. We need to identify the normative stance (or authorial stance) of the text by listening for the implied author’s point of view.

Question 16

J describes 3 movements that are involved between the reader and text, when the reader interprets the text

Answer 16

1. First Movement: The reader’s engagement with the textually projected world
2. Second Movement: Reader’s movement towards the textual world with a particular focus on background-contextual assumptions
   (implicit meaning becomes more apparent)
3. Third Movement: Reader brings the conceptual tools of implied author, implied reader and point of view to the task of discerning the text’s normative stance
   (implied reader comes into focus)