Description
Poetics is the study of the making of literary works of art. In gospel studies, in contrast to the dominant historical-critical paradigm, poetics regard the gospels as literature. This approach is associated with a particular methodological movement: narrative criticism. Petri Merenlahti argues that poetics offer a vital critical tool to interpreters of the gospels. But the approach must necessarily be historical, recognising that perceptions of literary form and value are not fixed, but evolve and develop from one time and culture to another. Far from being neutral, these perceptions are integrally connected with ways of perceiving reality that reflect particular interests in human societies. Through methodological discussion and detailed analyses of gospel narratives, this book introduces a comprehensive programme of historical poetics for gospel studies.
