Silent Statements: Narrative Representations of Speech and Silence in the Gospel of Luke

Description

Even a brief comparison with its canonical counterparts demonstrates that the Gospel of Luke is preoccupied with the power of spoken words; still, words alone do not make a language. Just as music without silence collapses into cacophony, so speech without silence signifies nothing: silences are the invisible, inaudible cement that hold the entire edifice together. Though scholars across diverse disciplines have analyzed silence in terms of its contexts, sources, and functions, these insights have barely begun to make inroads in biblical studies. Utilizing conceptual tools from narratology and reader-response criticism, this study is an initial exploration of largely uncharted territory – the various ways that narrative intersections of speech and silences function together rhetorically in Luke’s Gospel. Considering speech and silence to be mutually constituted in intricate and inextricable ways, Dinkler demonstrates that attention to both characters’ silences and the narrator’s silences helps to illuminate plot, characterization, theme, and readerly experience in Luke’s Gospel. Focusing on both speech and silence reveals that the Lukan narrator seeks to shape readers into ideal witnesses who use speech and silence in particular ways; Luke can be read as an early Christian proclamation – not only of the gospel message – but also of the proper ways to use speech and silence in light of that message. Thus, we find that speech and silence are significant matters of concern within the Lukan story and that speech and silence are significant tools used in its telling. Introduction Part I: The Multivalent Phenomenon of Silence Previous Scholarship on Silence in General Silence is Multivalent Silence is Contextually Determined Silence is Rhetorically Powerful Previous Scholarship on Silence in Antiquity Part II: A Narrative-Critical Approach and Definitions of Key Terms Promises and Perils of A Narrative Approach Key Concepts The Story and its Narration The Narrator as Character The Narrator’s Silences Point of View The Narrator’s Silences, Readers, and the Reading Process Luke’s Readers Plot, Characterization, and Theme Plot Characterization Theological Themes Part III: Silences in Luke’s Gospel Explicit References to Silence The Lukan Narrator’s Silences Part IV: The Design of The Book Chapter One: Prologue and Narrative Beginnings (Luke 1.1–4.13) Introduction Narrative Beginnings in Theory Speech and Silence in the Lukan Prologue (1.1–4) and Narrative Beginnings (1.5–4.13) Between the Narrator and the Reader The Narrative Rhetoric of Characterization through Speech and Silence Jesus Jesus In Others’ Words Illustrative Pericope: Speech and Silence in the Silencing of Zechariah (1.5–23, 57–65) The Silencing of Zechariah: Previous Proposals The Silencing of Zechariah: Nuancing the Typical Interpretations In Sum: Speech and Silence in Luke’s Prologue and Introduction Chapter Two: Jesus’ Galilean Ministry (Luke 4.14–9.50) Introduction Speech and Silence in Jesus’ Galilean Ministry Between the Narrator and the Reader The Narrative Rhetoric of Characterization through Speech and Silence The Religious Leaders The Disciples Jesus Jesus In Others’ Words Jesus’ Words About Speech Jesus’ Miraculous Uses of Speech and Silence Jesus’ Control of Others’ Speech Illustrative Pericope: Speech, Silence, and Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7.36–50) Excursus: The Literary Technique of Internal Monologue In Sum: Speech and Silence in Jesus’ Galilean Ministry Chapter Three: Speech and Silence in The Central Section (Luke 9.51–19.44) Introduction Speech and Silence in the Central Section of Luke Between the Narrator and the Reader The Narrative Rhetoric of Characterization Through Speech and Silence The Disciples Jesus Jesus’ Words – and Silences – in Parables Jesus’ Words About Speech The Religious Leaders Illustrative Pericope: The Pharisees’ Silence Before Jesus (Luke 14.1–6) In Sum: Speech and Silence in the Central Section of Luke Chapter Four: The Passion and Post-Resurrection Narratives (Luke 19.45–24.53) Introduction Speech and Silence in the Passion and Post-Resurrection Stories Between the Narrator and the Reader The Narrative Rhetoric of Characterization through Speech and Silence The Disciples The Religious Leaders Jesus Illustrative Pericope: Jesus’ Trial Before Herod (Luke 23.6–12) In Sum: Speech and Silence in the Passion and Post-Resurrection Narratives Conclusion Summary and Implications Plot Characterization Theological Themes Between the Narrator and the Reader Looking Ahead: Speech and Silence in Future Research Bibliography Index of Ancient References Index of Modern Authors