Language and Identity in Ancient Narratives: The Relationship between Speech Patterns and Social Context in the Acts of the Apostles, Acts of John, ... Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2. Reihe)

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When a Christian writer refers to Jesus as "the Lord," what does it signify? Is it primarily a way of making a political or theological statement, or might social concerns have had more influence on the writer's choice of words? Studies of early Christianity regularly depend on a nuanced understanding of lexical significance, but current research often fails to consider social aspects of "what words mean." Julia A. Snyder argues that methodological improvements are needed in how lexical significance in ancient Greek texts is determined, based on an analysis of the relationship between speech patterns and addressee identity in the Acts of the Apostles, Acts of John, and Acts of Philip. She also illustrates how sociolinguistic variation contributes to characterization and the construction of Christian identity in the narratives, how it sheds light on the rewriting of ancient texts, and how it informs the question of whether apostolic narratives were produced for evangelistic purposes. Cover Preface Table of Contents Abbreviations Chapter 1: Introduction 1. Asking Sociolinguistic Questions of Ancient Texts 2. Variation in Speech 2.1. “Audience Design” 2.2. “Acts of Identity” and Targeting 2.3. Other Contextual Factors 2.4. Embracing Complexity 3. The Texts 3.1. Selection of Texts 3.2. Basing Linguistic Analysis on Single Manuscripts 4. Linguistic and Social Variables Examined 4.1. Linguistic Variables 4.2. Social Variables “Christian” Status “Gentile-Jewish” Identity 5. Subsidiary Benefits of Asking Sociolinguistic Questions 5.1. Social Dynamics 5.2. Themes and “Theological” Viewpoints 5.3. Characterization 5.4. Narratees and Intended Audience 6. Addressing “Why” Questions 6.1. Insights from Communication Accommodation Theory 6.2. Other Approaches to “Why” Questions 7. Orthographic Conventions 8. Monograph Outline Chapter 2: Speech Patterns and Social Context in the Acts of the Apostles 1. The Text 1.1. Earliest Versions of ActsAp 1.2. Basing Linguistic Analysis on a Single Manuscript 2. Structure of the Chapter 3. Dynamics of Christian Identity 4. “Jewish” and Christian Identities 5. References to Jesus and the Christians’ God 5.1. Modification of θεός, “God” Inter-Christian Dialogue Christians Addressing Non-Christian Jews Christians Addressing Non-Christian Gentiles Summary: Modification of θεός, “God” 5.2. Jesus and the Christians’ God as κύριος, “Lord” “The Lord Jesus (Messiah)” References to “the Lord” in Inter-Christian Dialogue References to “the Lord” by Christians Addressing Non-Christian Jews References to “the Lord” by Christians Addressing Non-Christian Gentiles Summary: Jesus and the Christians’ God as κύριος, “Lord” 5.3. “Jesus (Messiah) of Nazareth” 5.4. “The Messiah” and “Jesus Messiah” 5.5. References to Jesus: Overview Inter-Christian Dialogue Christians Addressing Non-Christian Jews Christians Addressing Non-Christian Gentiles 5.6. References to Jesus and the Christians’ God by Non-Christian Speakers References to Jesus References to the Jewish/Christian God 5.7. References to Jesus and the Christians’ God: Conclusion 5.8. Excursus: References to Jesus and the Christians’ God in Other Versions of ActsAp 6. Plural Forms of Address 6.1. Inter-Christian Dialogue 6.2. Christians Addressing Non-Christian Jews 6.3. Christians Addressing Non-Christian Gentiles 6.4. Plural Forms of Address by Non-Christian Speakers 6.5. Summary: Plural Forms of Address 7. Reading the Narrative in Light of Sociolinguistic Relationships 7.1. Social Dynamics 7.2. Themes and Theological Viewpoints 7.3. Characterization 7.4. Narratee(s) and Intended Audience 8. Conclusion Chapter 3: Speech Patterns and Social Context in the Acts of John 1. The Text 1.1. Manuscript Tradition 1.2. Earliest Versions of AJ 2. Structure of the Chapter 3. Dynamics of Christian Identity 4. Conversion of Cleopatra and Lycomedes 5. Conversion at the Temple of Artemis 6. References to Jesus/God 6.1. References to Jesus/God by John: Present, Living, Human Addressees 6.2. “We,” “My,” and “Your” in AJᴿᶻ “We” “My” in Reference to Third Parties “My” and “Your” in Reference to Self or Addressee 6.3. References to Jesus/God by Other Speakers: Present, Living, Human Addressees 6.4. References to Jesus/God: Addressees who are Not Present, Not Living, and/or Not Human 6.5. Prayer Language 6.6. Summary: References to Jesus/God in AJᴿᶻ 6.7. Excursus: “My God,” “My Lord,” and “Your God” in Other Versions of AJ 7. Forms of Address 7.1. Plural Forms of Address 7.2. Singular Forms of Address 8. Reading the Narrative in Light of Sociolinguistic Relationships 8.1. Social Dynamics 8.2. Themes and Theological Viewpoints 8.3. Characterization 8.4. Narratees and Intended Audience 9. Conclusion Chapter 4: Speech Patterns and Social Context in the Acts of Philip 1. The Text 1.1. Manuscripts of APh 1.2. Compositional Processes 1.3. Earliest Versions of APh 2. Structure of the Chapter 3. Remark: Jesus/God 4. Acts of Philip 3 and 4 4.1. APhᴬ 3 Dynamics of Christian identity in APhᴬ 3 References to Jesus/God in APhᴬ 3 4.2. APhᴬ 4 Dynamics of Christian Identity in APhᴬ 4 References to Jesus/God in APhᴬ 4 4.3. Summary and Remarks 4.4. Narratees and Intended Audience APhᴬ 3 APhᴬ 4 5. Acts of Philip 5–7 5.1. Dynamics of Christian Identity 5.2. Christian Status of Nerkella and Artemilla 5.3. “Jewish” in APhᴬ 5–7 5.4. References to Philip 5.5. References to Jesus/God References to Jesus/God by Philip References to Jesus/God by Non-Christians and Emerging Christians (Not “Jews”) References to Jesus/God by “Jews” References to Jesus/God by Ireos Summary: References to Jesus/God in APhᴬ 5–7 5.6. Narratees and Intended Audience 6. Acts of Philip 8–15 and Martyrdom 6.1. Dynamics of Christian Identity “Belief” Associating with the Apostles “Self-control” Baptism Healing, Prayer, “Amen” Christian Status of Stachys 6.2. References to the Apostles 6.3. References to Jesus/God and Forms of Address APhᴬ 13–15 Martyrdom “Brothers” “Jesus of Nazareth” and “Hebrew” Identity Summary and Remarks 6.4. Narratees and Intended Audience 7. Acts of Philip 1 7.1. Dynamics of Christian Identity Narrative Frame Tour of Hell 7.2. References to Jesus/God Narrative Frame Tour of Hell 7.3. Narratees and Intended Audience 8. Linguistic Indications of Being a Collected Narrative 8.1. Direct Speech References to Philip and the Apostles References to Jesus/God 8.2. Narration References to Philip References to Jesus/God 8.3. Summary and Remarks 9. Reading the Narrative in Light of Sociolinguistic Relationships 9.1. Social Dynamics 9.2. Themes and Theological Viewpoints 9.3. Characterization 9.4. Narratees and Intended Audience 10. Conclusion Chapter 5: Conclusion 1. Highlights from the Case Studies 1.1. Acts of the Apostles (ActsApᴮ) 1.2. Acts of John (AJᴿᶻ) 1.3. Acts of Philip (APhᴬ) 2. Implications of Similarities between the Traditions 2.1. Similarities 2.2. Methodological Implications of Similarities 3. Implications of Differences between the Traditions 3.1. Differences 3.2. Methodological Implications of Differences 4. Extrapolating from Ancient Texts to Spoken Conversation 5. Directions for Future Research 6. Conclusion Appendix A: References to Jesus and to the Christians’ God in the Acts of the Apostles (ActsApB) 1. Narrator “God” “Lord” “Jesus” “Messiah” Combined Terms 2. Christian Speakers Christian Groups The Twelve Peter Peter and John Peter and the Apostles Paul Paul and Barnabas Paul and Silas Stephen Jerusalem Council James Ananias Lydia 3. Non-Christian Jewish Speakers Pentecost Crowd Gamaliel High Priest Witnesses in Jerusalem Jews Jewish Exorcists 4. Non-Christian Gentile Speakers Cornelius’ Envoys Cornelius Slave Girl Festus 5. Other Speakers Jews and/or Mob of Thessolonica Samaritans Jesus Voice Angels Evil Spirit 6. Citations Appendix B: Plural Forms of Address in the Acts of the Apostles (ActsApB) 1. Christian Speakers Peter The Twelve Stephen Paul Paul and Barnabas James 2. Other Speakers Pentecost Crowd Gamaliel Synagogue Leaders in Pisidian Antioch Jews in the Temple Demetrius Jailor Town Clerk Gallio Festus Angel Moses (Citation by Stephen) Appendix C: References to Jesus/God in the Acts of John (AJᴿᶻ) 1. Third Person References to Jesus/God Narrator John A. With Addressees who are Present Living Humans B. With Addressees who are Not Present Living Humans C. In Prayer Lycomedes Cleobius, Aristodemus, and Damonicus Aristarchus John’s Travelling Companions Ephesians Murdered Father Parricide Delegates from Smyrna Andronicus Drusiana Callimachus Heavenly Voice 2. Forms of Address for Jesus/God John Drusiana Appendix D: Forms of Address in the Acts of John (AJᴿᶻ) 1. Singular Forms of Address John Lycomedes Cleopatra Ephesians Priest’s Relative Murdered Father Andronicus Callimachus Drusiana Heavenly Voice Unidentified Figure Beautiful Young Man Jesus 2. Plural Forms of Address John Appendix E: References to Jesus/God in the Acts of Philip (APhᴬ) 1. Acts of Philip 1 Narrator Philip Widow Young Man Young Man (Dead) Non-Christians (Living) Non-Christians (Dead) Undetermined Speakers (in Tour) Archangel Michael Angel 2. Acts of Philip 3 Narrator Philip 3. Acts of Philip 4 Narrator Philip John People of Azotus Charitine Demons 4. Acts of Philip 5–7 Narrator Philip Ministry Colleagues Nikaterans Ireos Nerkella Artemilla Theophilus Theophilus’ Parents Aristarchus “Jews” 5. Acts of Philip 8ff. Narrator Philip Philip and Bartholomew Staychus People of the City Nicanora Mariamne Bartholomew Jesus, in the Form of Philip Demons Dragon Leopard Leopard and Goat Kid Appendix F: References to Philip and the Apostles in the Acts of Philip (APhᴬ) 1. Acts of Philip 1 Narrator Young Man (Living) Archangel Michael Young Man (Dead) 2. Acts of Philip 3 Narrator 3. Acts of Philip 4 Narrator People of Azotus 4. Acts of Philip 5–7 Narrator Nikaterans Ireos Nerkella Artemilla Onesimus Theophilus Theophilus’ Parents Nereus Aristarchus “Jews” 5. Acts of Philip 8ff. Narrator A. References to Philip B. References to the apostles Stachys Stachys’ Children Nicanora’s Servants Nicanora People of the City Tyrannognophos Priests John Leopard and goat kid Bibliography Index of Ancient Sources Gospels Acts of the Apostles Acts of John Acts of Philip Other Ancient Sources Index of Modern Authors Index of Subjects