theory of character in New Testament narrative, A
Book Description
For centuries, readers have encountered the vivid personalities that populate the New Testament, from the disciples' transformative journeys to the complex figures who encounter Jesus throughout the Gospels. Yet how do we truly understand these ancient characters and what they reveal about human nature and spiritual growth?
Biblical scholar Cornelis Bennema addresses a fundamental gap in how we interpret these sacred narratives. While New Testament characters have been studied extensively since the 1970s, scholars lack agreement on how to properly analyze these figures using contemporary literary approaches. Many assume that ancient Greco-Roman characters operate as simple, two-dimensional archetypes, unlike the psychologically complex individuals found in modern literature. This assumption creates tension when applying current literary theory to biblical texts.
Bennema offers a comprehensive solution through what he calls "three-dimensional character reconstruction." His approach provides readers and scholars with practical tools for analyzing, classifying, and evaluating the personalities within New Testament literature. Rather than reducing these figures to flat symbols, his method reveals their full complexity and humanity.
This scholarly yet accessible exploration invites readers to discover deeper layers of meaning in familiar biblical stories. By understanding how character functions in these ancient narratives, modern readers can gain fresh insights into their own spiritual development and the timeless human experiences reflected in scripture.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~6 hours)
📄 Length: 216 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Character
- ✓ Explore New Testament
- ✓ Explore Criticism, interpretation
- ✓ Study Bible from spiritual perspective
- ✓ Explore Persona (Literature)
- ✓ Explore Characters and characteristics in the Bible
- ✓ Explore Bible, biography, n. t.
- ✓ Explore Biblical teaching
