Not the Righteous but Sinners: M.M. Bakhtin's Theory of Aesthetics and the Problem of Reader--Character Interaction in Matthew's Gospel

169 Pages·1997·8.78 MB·English

by  John A. Barnet

l i b r a r y o f n e w t e s t a m e n t s t u d i e s
NoT The
RighTeouS
buT SiNNeRS
M.M. bakhtin’s Theory of Aesthetics
and the Problem of Reader–Character
interaction in Matthew’s gospel

John A. BArnet
JOURNAL FOR THE STUDY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
SUPPLEMENT SERIES
246
Executive Editor
Stanley E. Porter
Editorial Board
Craig Blomberg, Elizabeth A. Castelli, David Catchpole,
Kathleen E. Corley, R. Alan Culpepper, James D.G. Dunn,
Craig A. Evans, Stephen Fowl, Robert Fowler, George H.
Guthrie, Robert Jewett, Robert W. Wall

Not the Righteous but Sinners
M.M. Bakhtin's Theory of Aesthetics
and the Problem of Reader-Character
Interaction in Matthew's Gospel
John A. Barnet
T&.T CLARK INTERNATIONAL
A\
A Continuum imprint
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Copyright © 2003 T&T Clark International
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British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Typeset by ISB Typesetting, Sheffield
EISBN 9780826466556
To
Laura

CONTENTS
Acknowledgments ix
Abbreviations xi
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION 1
The Problem 1
The State of the Question 13
The Proposed Study 28
Chapter 2
METHODOLOGY 33
Bakhtin and the Project of Reading 33
Author and Hero in Aesthetic Activity 36
Aesthetic Contemplation and Expressive Aesthetics 43
A Model for Reading Matthew's Gospel 50
Chapter 3
JESUS OF NAZARETH 59
God's Supreme Agent 59
Jesus as Authoring Hero 65
Reader-Character Interaction 75
Chapter 4
THE DISCIPLES 78
Reader-Disciple Role Identity 78
Aesthetic Contemplation 85
Jesus and the Disciples 90
Chapter 5
THE SUPPLICANTS 96
The Narrative Role of the Supplicants 96
viii Not the Righteous but Sinners
Need as the Denning Trait of the Supplicants 99
Jesus and the Gentile Supplicants 107
Chapter 6
THE PHARISEES 115
The Narrative Role of the Pharisees 115
Hypocrisy as the Defining Trait of the Pharisees 120
Jesus and the Pharisees 127
Chapter 7
CONCLUSION 135
Not the Righteous but Sinners 135
Reader-Character Interaction in Matthew's Gospel 138
Epilogue 141
Bibliography 143
Index of References 148
Index of Authors 153
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book is a revision of my 2001 doctoral dissertation, which was
submitted in the Department of Religion in the Graduate School of Duke
University. Many people have contributed to the completion of this
project, only some of whom am I able to name here. Truly, my gratitude
must be the thanksgiving of John Chrysostom's anaphora, a thanksgiving
for all things of which I know and of which I know not, whether manifest
or unseen.
First, I would like to thank my teachers, especially the members of my
dissertation committee—Moody Smith, Richard Hays and Edna Andrews
—without whose encouragement and guidance, both personal and schol-
arly, this project would never have taken shape. To Fr Paul Tarazi I owe
an incalculable debt. He first taught me the sweetness of God's word and
to this day continues to remind me of the one thing needful. My deepest
gratitude is for my advisor, Dan Via. While his work has provided the
foundation for my own first steps, his incisive criticism and compassionate
persistence have ensured the completion of this project.
I would also like to thank my students, especially my first students,
Bobbie Galuska and Tekla Virvan. Their trustful enthusiasm for the bible
classes of a young seminarian many years ago serves as a constant
reminder that above all else my task is to feed the people. They too have
been my teachers.
I especially would like to thank my parents, Jack and Olga. They have
instilled in me the desire for knowledge and understanding. Their example
has taught me that knowledge is not yet understanding. Their love and
encouragement in the face of my many and varied endeavors have made it
possible for me at last to choose the good portion.
Finally, I would like to thank my wife and dialogic partner, Laura. She
has been a constant source of support and encouragement throughout this
project. Not only has she lived graciously in the shadow of 'that paper',
postponing any number of her own projects, but she has also managed to
produce a son, Jacob Nicholas, who has joyfully rearranged our lives.
Together they have taught me the meaning of gratitude.