New Testament Theology and the Greek Language: A Linguistic Reconceptualization

Stanley E. Porter compares the development of New Testament theology to the study of language, showing how it has followed outmoded conceptual models and reconceptualizes it via modern linguistics. He develops a workable linguistic model that can be applied to other areas of New Testament research, offering examples of its productivity in the case study of the Son of Man.

Format: Hardback
Length: 350 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Stanley E. Porter provides a distinctive and linguistically-oriented critique of New Testament theology by comparing it to the evolution of language study from the Enlightenment to the present. By examining the histories of two fields that are often overlooked in conjunction, Porter demonstrates how the study of New Testament theology has adhered to outdated conceptual frameworks from previous periods of intellectual discourse. He reimagines the study of New Testament theology by employing methodologies rooted in modern linguistics, showcasing how they have already been applied to New Testament Greek studies. Moreover, Porter develops a practical linguistic model that can be applied to various other areas of New Testament research. By broadening the reach of New Testament Greek linguistics to a broader audience, his volume presents numerous exemplars of the effectiveness of this linguistic model, particularly in his chapter dedicated to the case study of the Son of Man.

Porter's book offers a fresh perspective on New Testament theology by drawing upon the insights of language study. He challenges traditional approaches to the field and proposes a more comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach. By comparing the development of language study to the study of New Testament theology, Porter highlights the similarities and differences between the two fields. He argues that the study of New Testament theology has been influenced by the same conceptual models and linguistic trends that have shaped the study of language over the centuries.

One of the key insights of Porter's book is that the study of New Testament theology should be approached from a linguistic perspective. He argues that the New Testament is a literary text, and as such, it should be analyzed and interpreted using the tools and methods of literary criticism. This approach involves examining the language, structure, and rhetorical devices used by the authors of the New Testament to convey their message.

Porter also develops a linguistic model that can be applied to other areas of New Testament research. This model is based on the categories of modern linguistics, such as morphology, syntax, and semantics. By applying these categories to the New Testament, Porter is able to identify patterns and trends in the language that can help us better understand the text.

For example, Porter argues that the use of the word "man" in the New Testament has multiple meanings and can be interpreted in different ways. He demonstrates how this linguistic phenomenon can be explained by the categories of morphology, syntax, and semantics. By analyzing the use of the word "man" in different contexts, Porter is able to shed light on the authors' intended meaning and the broader cultural and historical implications of their use of the word.

Another example of the productivity of Porter's linguistic model is his chapter devoted to the case study of the Son of Man. In this chapter, Porter applies his linguistic model to the Gospel of John, specifically to the portrayal of the Son of Man in that text. He argues that the Son of Man is a metaphorical figure who represents the messianic figure of Jesus Christ. By analyzing the use of the word "man" in the Gospel of John, Porter is able to identify the linguistic patterns that support this interpretation.

In addition to developing a linguistic model, Porter also offers numerous examples of the productivity of this model in other areas of New Testament research. For example, he discusses the use of the word "love" in the New Testament and how it can be interpreted in different ways. He also examines the use of the word "kingdom" in the New Testament and how it can be understood in light of contemporary political and social contexts.

Overall, Stanley E. Porter's book provides a valuable contribution to the field of New Testament theology. By drawing upon the insights of language study, Porter challenges traditional approaches to the field and proposes a more comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach. His linguistic model offers a practical tool for analyzing and interpreting the New Testament and can be applied to other areas of New Testament research. Porter's book is a must-read for anyone interested in the study of the New Testament and the evolution of language study.

Weight: 1556g
ISBN-13: 9781009240048