Herod the Fox: Audience Criticism and Lukan CharacterizationIn foregrounding the themes of witnessing, 'seeing and hearing', and recognition, Luke urges readers to reflect on their own hearing (= reading) of his story, to become certain kinds of readers and to read in particular ways. So the need for a reader-oriented methodology in interpreting Luke-Acts is evident. But what is the best theory to deploy? Charting a path through the thickets of modern literary theory, Darr develops a new reader-oriented model, insisting that the original 'extratext' (the repertoire of literary and social conventions) of Luke-Acts-and not simply the text itself-should be taken into account in any critical evaluation of how this story works. To demonstrate this new hermeneutical model, Darr undertakes an extensive study of Lukan characterization, and especially his portrayal of Herod the Tetrarch. |
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According action activities Acts actual ancient approach attempts audience Baptist beginning biblical called Chapter characterization characters charismatic Christianity complex concerning confrontation consistently construction context continue conventions critic cultural death depicted developed discussion divine Early effect Elijah encounter especially example expectations extratextual fact figures follows function Gospel Greco-Roman hear Herod History identified identity important indicators interaction interpretation issue Jerusalem Jesus Jewish John John's king knowledge literary literature Lord Lukan Luke Luke-Acts Luke's major Mark meaning narrative narrator noted observation passage passion pattern perspective Pharisees Philadelphia philosopher Pilate political position prophet provides question reader reading recognize reference relationship repertoire response rhetorical role Roman rulers scene scholars significance similar simply social sources specific story structure Study Testament tetrarch Theology theory tion Tradition trial types tyrant understanding University Press various York