Exclusivity and variety : a typological study towards the integration of exegetical methodologies in Old Testament studies

Date
1993-02
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The present state of the exegetical discipline is characterized in this dissertation by the exploration of the concepts exclusivity and variety. There is variety not only in the numerous methods and approaches, but also in variants in methodological application, hermeneutical presuppositions, confessional and dogmatic views, specialization areas and the increasing volume of scholarly literature. To escape the abyss of variety, exegetes often turn to making exclusivistic claims, sometimes deliberately. The main interest of this dissertation is a methodological one, with the implication that the discussion is limited to the variety of exegetical methodologies. The working hypothesis is that a multidimensional and/or integrational approach to exegesis can evade the dangers of exclusivity and variety. Various theoretical guidelines, which should be taken into consideration in this discussion, are filtered out from previous attempts in this regard. Two methodologies, namely a historical-critical one and a narrative one, are used as examples in this investigation. In order to investigate the implementation of these methodologies in practice, the Samson Cycle (Judges 13-16) is analyzed. Subsequently, both methodologies are evaluated according to the theoretical guidelines which are formulated earlier. The multidimensional and/or integrational possibilities of these methodologies are then scrutinized. The investigation leads to the formulation of three models which may serve as guidelines for further discussion on this topic. Preference is given to an adapted communication model which serves as a hermeneutical framework in which exegetical methodologies function multidimensionally and interactively. It is proposed that the operative factor of such a communication model is a reading strategy which consists of two components, namely (i) a specialized reading and (ii) a competent reading of the text.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie proef skrif word die huidige staat waann die eksegetiese wetenskap verkeer, gekarakteriseer met die begrippe eksklusiwiteit en verskeidenheid. Die verskeidenheid word nie slegs gekonstitueer deur metodes en benaderings nie, maar ook deur variante in metodologiese toepassings, hermeneutiese uitgangspunte, konfessionele en dogmatiese standpunte, spesialisasiegebiede en die toenemende volume vakliteratuur. Orn enigsins hierdie verskeidenheid te bemeester, wend eksegete hulle (i:iie-)doelbewus tot eksk lusi witeitsaansprake. Die fokus van hierdie proefskrif is metodologies van aard, d.w .s. die bespreking word beperk tot die verskeidenheid in eksegetiese metodologiee. Die werkshipotese word geformuleer dat 'n multidimensionele en/of integrasie-benadering tot die eksegese die gevare van verskeidenheid en eksklusiwiteit kan oorkom. Uit vorige pogings wat in hierdie verband gedoen is, word sekere teoretiese riglyne geformuleer aan die hand waarvan die bespreking geloods moet word. Twee metodologiee, naamlik 'n histories-kritiese en 'n narratiewe, word as voorbeelde gebruik om die probleem te ondersoek. Aan die hand van hierdie twee metodologiee word die Simson-si.klus (Rigters 13-16) ondersoek ten einde die implementering van die betrokke metodologiee in die praktyk te bestudeer. Daama word die metodologiee ge evalueer aan die hand van die teoretiese riglyne wat vroeer geformuleer is. Die moontlikhede tot 'n integrasie van die twee metodologiee en/of 'n multidimensionele model word ondersoek. Die ondersoek lei vervolgens tot die formulering van drie modelle wat as riglyne kan dien vir verdere diskussie oor die onderwerp. Daar word aangetoon dat die mees aanvaarbare rigtingaanduider 'n aangepaste kommunikasiemodel is wat as hermeneutiese raamwerk dien waarbinne eksegetiese metodologiee multidimensioneel en interaktief funksioneer. Daar word voorgestel dat die operatiewe faktor van so 'n kommunikasiemodel 'n leserstrategie is wat bestaan uit twee komponente, naamlik (i) 'n gespesialiseerde lees en (ii) 'n kompetente lees van die teks.
Description
Thesis (DTh)--Stellenbosch University, 1993.
One copy microfiche.
Keywords
Bible. Old Testament -- Hermeneutics, Theology -- Methodology
Citation