John as Storyteller: Narrative Criticism and the Fourth Gospel

1994 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 733
Author(s):  
R. Alan Culpepper ◽  
Mark Stibbe
Keyword(s):  
Narrative Criticism ◽  
Fourth Gospel

A Theory of Character in the Fourth Gospel with Reference to Ancient and Modern Literature

2009 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 375-421
Author(s):  
Cornelis Bennema
Keyword(s):  
Literary Theory ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Narrative Criticism ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Fourth Gospel ◽  
Greek Literature ◽  
Inner Life ◽  
Ancient Greek ◽  
Comprehensive Theory ◽  
Modern Fiction

AbstractBoth literary theory and biblical narrative criticism lack an articulate, comprehensive theory of character. Many Gospel critics perceive character in the Hebrew Bible (where characters can develop) to be radically different from that in ancient Greek literature (where characters are supposedly consistent ethical types). Most people also sharply distinguish between modern fiction and its psychological, individualistic approach to character and ancient characterization where character lacks personality or individuality. In Part I, we examine concepts of character in ancient Hebrew and Greek literature as well as modern fiction, arguing that although there are differences in characterization, these are differences in emphases rather than kind. It is better to speak of degrees of characterization along a continuum. In Part II, we develop a comprehensive theory of character in the Fourth Gospel, consisting of three aspects. First, we study character in text and context, using information in the text and other sources. Second, we analyze and classify the Johannine characters along three dimensions (complexity, development, inner life), and plot the resulting character on a continuum of degree of characterization (from agent to type to personality to individuality). We observe that many Johannine characters are more complex and round than has been believed so far. Third, we analyze and evaluate the characters' responses to Jesus in relation to the Fourth Evangelist's evaluative point of view, purpose and dualistic worldview.

Narrative Criticism of the Religious Authorities as a Group Character in the Gospel of John: Some Problems

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-245
Author(s):  
Urban C. von Wahlde
Keyword(s):  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Gospel Of John ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Narrative Criticism ◽  
Fourth Gospel ◽  
Group Character ◽  
Single Group ◽  
Critical Studies ◽  
Proper Method ◽  
Great Homogeneity

Recent narrative critical studies of the religious authorities in the Fourth Gospel have proposed, first, that the term ‘Jews’ has only one meaning in the Gospel and, second, that ‘the Jews’ and ‘the Pharisees’ constitute a single group character. However, when viewed from a different perspective, the term ‘Jews’ can be said to have three different meanings in the Gospel. Moreover, when viewed from this perspective, the various usages exhibit a remarkable consistency, one not evident when all instances are thought to have the same meaning. If only those instances of ‘the Jews’ that refer to religious authorities are studied from the point of view of narrative analysis, their character exhibits a great homogeneity but at the same time contrasts consistently with the portrayal of the character of ‘the Pharisees’ (together with ‘the chief priests’ and ‘rulers’). This article describes eight ways in which the character of the religious authorities is portrayed differently (and in a contrasting manner) in the two sets of terms, thus indicating that not all instances of the term ‘Jews’ have the same meaning and that the terms for religious authorities do not constitute a single group character, thus raising substantial questions about the proper method for interpreting these texts within the Gospel.

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