Biblical exegesis, cognitive linguistics and hypertext
Date
2006
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Brill
Abstract
In the title of this presentation two disciplines and a technology appear
to be equated. For this reason the title demands some explanation from
the outset. Firstly, the research project behind this ambitious title is
prompted by a perceived "crisis" in the field of biblical exegesis (and in
particular the exegesis of the Hebrew Bible). Secondly, it is inspired, in
general, by some opportunism that is often associated with interdisciplinarity.
1 More particularly, in the case of biblical exegesis, on the one
hand, insights into the cognitive processes involved in analyzing and
interpreting literary texts, as a particular mode of human communication,
looked promising for addressing some issues in the field of biblical
exegesis. On the other hand, there have also been so many apparent
parallels between many ideas in current literary theory and hypertext
theory that Landow (1997) entitles one of his recent publications: Hypertext
2.0. The Convergence qf Contemporary Critical Theory and Technology. If
one assumes, and I know this is precarious, that current literary theory
represents at least some aspect of what happens in the process of
the comprehension ofliterary texts, it implies that hypertext technology
may have something to say for biblical exegesis. The aim of this paper is to establish whether recent developments
in cognitive linguistics, and hypertext as a technology which is supposed
to do many things book technology could not do, may indeed
make a contribution to some problematic aspects of biblical exegesis. A
focus of this study will be to critically assess the current "hype" about
(and my own enthusiasm for)2 the possible practical value of cognitive approaches and hypertext technology for biblical exegesis. 3 From this
assessment I believe it will be evident that what is at stake here is more
than just another jargon laden theory of language and/ or a gimmick
that can be left for computer junkies or Bible software companies to
make money with.
For the purpose of this presentation it will be important to spell out
clearly what I regard as the crisis in current biblical exegesis, and those
areas in which I believe cognitive linguistics and hypertext technology
could make a contribution. This will be the topic of the first section
of the paper. In the second section I will define the notion "cognitive
linguistics" and will discuss those aspects of this field of study that
are relevant for our purposes. In section three developments in the
theory and practice of hypertext technology, in particular those that
have potential to be of value for the areas in Biblical exegesis referred to
above, will be scrutinized. Since issues in two disciplines and the theory
and practice of a new technology are addressed in this investigationand
as a consequence many of the issues will be represented in very
broad strokes-the conclusions of this investigation cannot be more
than a few general observations.
Description
The original publication is only available in print see http://www.brill.com/congress-volume-leiden-2004
Keywords
Hypertext technology for biblical exegesis, Biblical exegesis, Cognitive linguistics, Hebrew Bible, Bible -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.
Citation
Van Der Merwe, C. H. J. 2004 in Lemaire, A. (ed). Biblical exegesis, cognitive linguistics and hypertext. Congress volume Leiden 2004, 109, 255-280.