Reconceiving texts as speech acts : : an analysis of I John / / Dietmar Neufeld.

• Superior document: Biblical Interpretation Series ; 7
• VerfasserIn: Neufeld, Dietmar,
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden, Netherlands ;, New York, New York : : E. J. Brill,, [1994]; ©1994
• Year of Publication: 1994
• Language: English
• Series: Biblical Interpretation Series ; 7.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource.
• Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references (pages [137]-149) and index.
• ISBN: 9004493514
• Hierarchical level: Monograph
• Statement of Responsibility: Dietmar Neufeld.

Reconceiving Texts as Speech Acts attempts a reading of the Christological confessions and ethical exhortations in I John from the perspective of speech act theory. Speech act theory is explored with particular reference to J.L. Austin, Donald Evans, and J. Derrida. At the heart of the approach is the insight of the rhetorical character of historiography and the view that language in written discourse is a form of action and power. Discourse in I John becomes responsible for creating reality and not merely reflecting it. In effect the Christological and ethical texts are effective acts which change situations in the public domain in terms of confession and conduct. A tentative methodological proposal is developed and then in succeeding chapters applied to a series of key passages in I John.