The Language of the Kingdom and Jesus

by Liebenberg, Jacobus

• ISBN13: 9783110167337
• ISBN10: 3110167336
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-11-01
• Publisher: De Gruyter

Summary

This study interprets Jesus' parables and the sayings tradition regarding the Kingdom of God from a cognitive linguistic understanding of metaphor. It also shows what contribution the theory of metaphor can make when the parables and aphorisms are studied in research on the historical Jesus. The metaphoric nature and polyvalency of the parables and aphorisms of the Jesus tradition undermine their value for research on the historical Jesus. The author doubts whether the parables and sayings of the Jesus tradition can be employed to reconstruct the historical Jesus.

Table of Contents

Preface	v
Eschatology, Kingdom and the Teaching of Jesus (or: Parable, Aphorism and the Historical Jesus)	1	(47)
Introduction: Setting the Scene	1	(4)
From the Life of Jesus to the Kingdom of God in the Teaching of Jesus	5	(12)
Jesus' Preaching of the Kingdom	5	(6)
J Weiss
Thoroughgoing Eschatology as Framework for the Deeds and Words of Jesus	11	(6)
Albert Schweitzer
The Domination of the Parables	17	(7)
Finding the Original Setting of the Parables	17	(4)
C H Dodd
Finding the Original Form of the Parables	21	(3)
J Jeremias
The Resumption of the Quest for the Historical Jesus	24	(10)
The Parables as Jesus' ``Verkundigung selbst''	26	(1)
G Bornkamm
J Becker	27	(2)
Jesus and the Language of the Kingdom	29	(5)
N Perrin
Redefining the Context of Jesus' Teaching : Understanding Jesus as a First-Century Jewish Peasant	34	(12)
Returning to Jesus the Jew	37	(2)
G Vermes
the Kingdom of God in the (F) Acts of Jesus	39	(2)
E P Sanders
Meticulously Creating the Historical Jesus	41	(5)
J D Crossan
Conclusion	46	(2)
Parable and Metaphor	48	(119)
Parable and Metaphor	48	(2)
From Refuting Allegory to Embracing Metaphor	50	(25)
Either Allegory (Metaphor) or Parable (Simile)	50	(3)
A Julicher
Parable as Metaphor and Simile	53	(2)
C H Dodd
Parable as Irreducible Metaphor	55	(2)
R W Funk
Parable and Context	57	(2)
H-J Klauck
Metaphor (Parable) as Predication	59	(4)
H Weder
Metaphor and Parable as Semantic and Narrative Tension	63	(3)
W Harnisch
the Parables as Key to the Historical Jesus	66	(3)
J D Crossan
Parable as Non-Metaphoric Poetic Fiction	69	(3)
C Hedrick
Language is Metaphoric	72	(3)
E Jungel
Understanding Metaphor	75	(9)
Interpretation as a Function of Contemporary Epistemology	75	(5)
Interpretation and the Exceptional	80	(4)
Defining Metaphor: Clarifying Terminology	84	(70)
Literal and Figurative (Metaphoric) Speech (or on Metaphoric Meaning and the Word)	84	(4)
The Legacy of the Aristotelian Understanding of Metaphor	88	(4)
From Black to Lakoff, Johnson and Turner: from Metaphor as Interaction to Metaphor as Conceptual Mapping	92	(2)
Grasping Metaphor	94	(5)
Metaphorically Defining a Process: Metaphor as Cross-Conceptual ``Mapping''	99	(5)
Excursus: The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, Lk 13:6b-9 as Metaphor	104	(1)
Introduction	104	(2)
Examining the Parable Story in Lk 13:6-9	106	(1)
The Background to the Parable, Lk 13:1-5	106	(1)
The Parable Story, Lk 13:6-9	107	(1)
Relating a Barren Fig Tree with Unrepentant People	108	(2)
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree as Metaphor	110	(2)
Metaphoric Mapping Schematised	112	(1)
Concepts, Structure and the Constraints on Metaphoric Mapping	113	(9)
Generic-Level Metaphors	122	(4)
The Generic-Level Metaphor: Generic is Specific	126	(3)
The Great Chain of Being, the Commonsense Theory about the Nature of Things and the Interpretation of Proverbs and Aphorisms	129	(3)
The Great Chain of Being Metaphor	132	(4)
Explaining the Great Chain of Being Metaphor, GTh 56, 80, 110	136	(7)
Explaining GTh 56 and 80 by Using ``Conventional Metaphors''	143	(2)
Explaining GTh 56 and 80 by Using ``The Great Chain Metaphor''	145	(2)
The Meaning of GTh 110	147	(3)
Excursus: Kittay on the Conditions that Facilitate
Metaphoric Understanding	150	(4)
Parable as Metaphor	154	(11)
Excursus: Parable and Reception	163	(2)
Conclusion	165	(2)
The Kingdom Parables Shared by the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Thomas	167	(109)
Introduction	167	(1)
Mt 13 as Context for the Parables of the Planted Weeds, Treasure, Pearl and Fishnet	168	(9)
Mt 13:1-35: Teaching the Crowds at the Lakeside	169	(2)
Mt 13:36-52: Teaching the Disciples (only) at Home	171	(1)
Excursus: Matthew as Collector of Parables vs Matthew as Performer of Parables	172	(5)
The Contextualisation of the Matthean ``Sondergut'' Parables in the Gospel of Thomas	177	(2)
The Reception of the Parable of the Weeds in Mt 13:24-30 and GTh 57	179	(46)
The Reception of the Parable of the Weeds in Mt 13:24-30	179	(1)
The Narrative elements of the Parable of the Weeds in Mt 13:24-30	179	(12)
The Parable of the Weeds in Mt 13:24-30 as Metaphor	191	(15)
The Parable and its Interpretation	206	(2)
The Reception of the Parable of the Weeds in GTh 57	208	(1)
The Narrative Elements of the Parable of the Weeds in GTh 57	208	(4)
The Parable of the Weeds in GTh 57 as Metaphor	212	(6)
A Global Metaphoric Reading of GTh 57	218	(5)
Comparison of the Metaphors of Mt 13:24-30 and GTh 57	223	(2)
The Parable of the Treasure in Mt 13:44 and GTh 109	225	(19)
The Matthean Reception of the Parable of the Treasure, Mt 13:44	225	(1)
The Constitutive Elements of the Parable of the Treasure in Mt 13:44	225	(2)
The Parable of the Treasure in Mt 13:44 as Metaphor	227	(6)
The Reception of the Parable of Treasure in GTh 109	233	(1)
The Narrative Elements of the Parable of the Treasure in GTh 109	233	(3)
The Parable of the Treasure in GTh 109 as Metaphor	236	(7)
Comparison of the Reception of the Parable of the Treasure in Mt 13:44 and GTh 109	243	(1)
The Parable of the Pearl in Mt 13:45 and GTh 76	244	(14)
The Matthean Reception of the Parable of the Pearl, Mt 13:45-46	244	(1)
The Constitutive Elements of the Parable of the Pearl in Mt 13:45-46	244	(1)
The Parable of the Pearl in Mt 13:45-46 as Metaphor	245	(5)
The Reception of the Parable of the Pearl in GTh 76	250	(1)
The Constitutive Elements of the Parable of the Pearl in GTh 76:1-3	250	(3)
The Parable of the Pearl in GTh 76 as Metaphor	253	(3)
Comparison of the Reception of the Parable of the Pearl in Mt 13:45-46 and GTh 76	256	(2)
The Parable of the Fishnet in Mt 13:47-48 and GTh 8	258	(18)
The Matthean Reception of the Parable of the Fishnet in Mt 13:47-48	258	(1)
The Narrative Elements of the Parable of the Fishnet in Mt 13:47-48	258	(3)
The Parable of the Fishnet in Mt 13:47-48 as Metaphor	261	(6)
The Reception of the Parable of the Fishnet in GTh 8	267	(1)
The Narrative Elements of the Parable of the Fishnet in GTh 8	267	(3)
The Parable of the Fishnet in GTh 8 as Metaphor	270	(5)
Comparison of the Reception of the Parable of the Fishnet in Mt 13:47-50 and GTh 8	275	(1)
The Reception of the Parables of the Mustard Seed, Leaven, Sower and Lost Sheep in the Synoptics, Thomas and Q	276	(155)
The Parable of the Mustard Seed in the Synoptic Tradition and the Gospel of Thomas	276	(59)
The Parable of the Mustard Seed in Mk 4:30-32	276	(1)
Mk 4:1-34 as Context for the Parables of the Sower, Harvest and Mustard Seed	276	(1)
The Structure of Mk 4:1-34	277	(2)
The Contextualisation of the Parables of Mk 4	279	(10)
The Constitutive Elements of the Parable of the Mustard Seed in Mk 4:30-32	289	(1)
Excursus: The Phrase in Mk 4:33, par. and the Old Testament	289	(11)
The Parable of the Mustard Seed in Mk 4:30-32 as Metaphor	300	(6)
The Parable of the Mustard Seed in Lk 13:18-19	306	(1)
The Lukan Travel Narrative as Context for the Parables of the Mustard Seed (13:18-19); Leaven (13:20-21) and the Lost Sheep (15:4-6) in Luke	306	(2)
The Contextualisation of the Parable of the Mustard Seed in Lk 13:18-19	308	(2)
The Narrative Elements of the Parable of the Mustard Seed in Lk 13:18-19	310	(3)
The Parable of the Mustard Seed in Lk 13:18-19 as Metaphor	313	(3)
The Parable of the Mustard Seed in Q 13:18-19	316	(1)
The Contextualisation of the Parable of the Mustard Seed in Q 13:18-19	316	(2)
The Text and Narrative Structure of Q 13:18-19	318	(3)
The Parable of the Mustard Seed in Q 13:18-19 as Metaphor	321	(2)
The Parable of the Mustard Seed in Mt 13:31-32	323	(1)
The Contextualisation of the Parable of the Mustard Seed and Leaven in Matthew	323	(1)
The Narrative Structure of the Parable of the Mustard Seed in Mt 13:31-32	324	(2)
The Parable of the Mustard Seed in Mt 13:31-32 as Metaphor	326	(2)
The Parable of the Mustard Seed in GTh 20	328	(1)
The Contextualisation of the Parable of the Mustard Seed in GTh 20	328	(1)
The Narrative Elements of the Parable of the Mustard Seed in GTh 20	328	(2)
The Parable of the Mustard Seed in GTh 20 as Metaphor	330	(4)
Comparison of the Parable of the Mustard Seed in the Gospel of Thomas and the Synoptic Tradition	334	(1)
The Parable of the Leaven in the Synoptic Tradition and the Gospel of Thomas	335	(15)
The Parable of the Leaven in Q, Luke and Matthew	335	(1)
The Narrative Elements of the Parable of the Leaven in Q/Lk 13:20-21 and Mt 13:33	336	(5)
The Parable of the Leaven as Metaphor	341	(2)
The Metaphor of the Leaven in Q 13:20-21	343	(1)
The Metaphor of the Leaven in Lk 13:20-21	343	(1)
The Metaphor of the Leaven in Mt 13:33	344	(1)
The Parable of the Leaven in GTh 96:1-3	345	(1)
The Narrative Elements of the Parable of the Leaven in GTh 96:1-3	345	(2)
The Parable of the Leaven in GTh 96:1-3 as Metaphor	347	(2)
Comparison of the Parable of the Leaven in the Synoptic Tradition and the Gospel of Thomas	349	(1)
The Parable of the Sower in the Synoptic Tradition and the Gospel of Thomas	350	(64)
The Parable of the Sower in Mk 4:3-8	352	(1)
The Narrative Structure of the Parable of the Sower in Mk 4:3-8	352	(10)
The Parable of the Sower in Mk 4:3-8 as Metaphor	362	(1)
Excursus: The Parable of the Sower as Metaphor for God Sowing People: the Position of G Lohfink as Example	363	(5)
Conclusion: The Parable of the Sower as a Parable of Preaching and Hearing (Sowing the Word) in Mk 4:3-8	368	(8)
The Parable of the Sower in Mk 4:3-8 and its Interpretation	376	(9)
The Parable of the Sower in Mt 13:3b-8	385	(1)
The Narrative Structure of the Parable of the Sower in Mt 13:3b-8	385	(3)
The Parable of the Sower in Mt 13:3b-8 as Metaphor	388	(3)
The Parable of the Sower in Mt 13:3b-8 and its Interpretation	391	(4)
The Parable of the Sower in Lk 8:5-8a	395	(1)
The Contextualisation of the Parable of the Sower in Lk 8:5-8a	395	(1)
The Narrative Structure of the Parable of the Sower in Lk 8:5-8a	396	(2)
The Parable of the Sower in Lk 8:5-8a as Metaphor	398	(4)
The Parable of the Sower in Lk 8:5-8a and its Interpretation	402	(3)
Concluding Remarks Regarding the Parable of the Sower and its Interpretation in the Synoptic Gospels	405	(1)
The Parable of the Sower in GTh 9	406	(1)
The Contextualisation of the Parable of the Sower in GTh 9	406	(1)
The Narrative Elements of the Parable of the Sower in GTh 9	407	(1)
The Parable of the Sower in GTh 9 as Metaphor	408	(5)
Comparison of the Parable of the Sower in Mk 4:3-8 and in GTh 9	413	(1)
The Parable of the Lost Sheep in the Synoptic Tradition and the Gospel of Thomas	414	(17)
The Parable of the Lost Sheep in Lk 15:4-7	414	(1)
Contextualisation of the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Lk 15:4-7	414	(1)
The Narrative Structure of the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Lk 15:3-7	415	(3)
The Parable of the Lost Sheep in Lk 15:1-8 as Metaphor	418	(2)
The Parable of the Lost Sheep in Mt 18:12-13	420	(1)
Contextualisation of the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Mt 18:12-13	420	(1)
The Narrative Structure of the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Mt 18:12-13	420	(2)
The Parable of the Lost Sheep in Mt 18:12-13 as Metaphor	422	(2)
The Parable of the Lost Sheep in GTh 107	424	(1)
The Contextualisation of the Parable of the Lost Sheep in GTh 107	424	(1)
The Narrative Structure of the Parable of the Lost Sheep in GTh 107	424	(1)
The Parable of the Lost Sheep in GTh 107 as Metaphor	425	(5)
Comparison between the Parable of the Lost Sheep in the Synoptic Tradition and the Gospel of Thomas	430	(1)
Aphorism, Proverb, Kingdom and Context: the Kingdom Aphorisms Shared by the Synoptic Tradition and the Gospel of Thomas	431	(64)
Introduction	431	(1)
Proverb, Aphorism and Context	432	(16)
Proverb and Context	432	(1)
Aphorism as Non-Conventional Proverbial Language Use	433	(6)
Aphorism, Context and the Jesus Tradition	439	(4)
Proverb, Aphorism and Social Control	443	(5)
The Kingdom as a Possession	448	(19)
Blessed the Poor, Because the Kingdom is Theirs:Q/Lk 6:20b, Mt 5:3, GTh 54	448	(1)
Note on the Form of the Beatitude	448	(3)
``Blessed are the Poor'' in the Synoptic Tradition and the Gospel of Thomas	451	(9)
Conclusion	460	(2)
The Kingdom as a Possession of Children: Mk 10:14-15; Mt 19:13-15; Lk 18:15-17	462	(2)
Mt 19:14	464	(3)
The Kingdom as a Location	467	(19)
Entering the Kingdom Like Children, Mk 10:15; Mt 18:3; Lk 18:17 and GTh 22 (or the Kingdom as a Location)	467	(1)
Mk 10:13-16	468	(5)
Lk 18:15-17	473	(3)
Mt 18:3	476	(1)
GTh 22	477	(2)
Conclusion	479	(1)
The Kingdom as a Location or a Community?: John and Those inside the Kingdom Q/Lk 7:28, Mt 11:11, (GTh 46)	480	(6)
The Arrival of the Kingdom: Q/Lk 17:21, GTh 3, GTh 51, GTh 113	486	(9)
GTh 3, POxy 654	490	(2)
GTh 113	492	(1)
GTh 51	493	(1)
Conclusion	493	(2)
The Language of the Kingdom and Jesus	495	(36)
Introduction	495	(1)
The Kingdom Parables and Aphorisms as Polyvalent Conceptual Instruments	496	(18)
The Kingdom as a Tensive Symbol?	496	(3)
The Parables of the Kingdom in the Synoptic Tradition	499	(4)
The Parables of the Kingdom in the Gospel of Thomas	503	(3)
The Aphorisms of the Kingdom	506	(2)
Conclusion: the Parables and Aphorisms as Polyvalent Conceptual Instruments	508	(1)
Clarifying Polyvalency	508	(3)
The Polyvalency of the Kingdom Parables and Aphorisms	511	(3)
The Gospel of Thomas and the Synoptic Gospels	514	(12)
Orality as Matrix for the Discussion of the Relationship between the Gospel of Thomas and the Synoptic Gospels	515	(3)
The Gospel of Thomas and the Synoptic Gospels in the Light of its Genre as Sayings Collection	518	(8)
The Language of the Kingdom and the Historical Jesus	526	(5)
Bibliography	531