Performing Ecclesiastes: Text as Script
All biblical scholars are committed to the interpretation of ancient written texts, but Biblical Performance Criticism (BPC) reminds interpreters that performance helps us better understand Scripture. A distinct difference between Narrative Criticism and Performance Criticism is the broader applicat...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Religions |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/10/1269 |
| _version_ | 1797572417377271808 |
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| author | Jeanette Mathews |
| author_facet | Jeanette Mathews |
| author_sort | Jeanette Mathews |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | All biblical scholars are committed to the interpretation of ancient written texts, but Biblical Performance Criticism (BPC) reminds interpreters that performance helps us better understand Scripture. A distinct difference between Narrative Criticism and Performance Criticism is the broader application of Performance Criticism to poetic and prose texts that are not grounded in narrative. The ambiguity of prose and poetry that does not readily identify speakers is open to a range of performative interpretations. Furthermore, audiences are necessary for performance and contribute to meaning-making. The embodied experience of performers and audience alike contribute to the interpretation of biblical texts. This article reflects on a performance of Ecclesiastes translated as a script of a television talk show, claiming that embodying and performing Scripture is itself a method for interpretation. Through the performance of Scripture, we are reminded that interpretation is shared and dynamic within the community of faith. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:55:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b7e97fc15a1948e3b866a9b41f8fc7b8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T20:55:58Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-b7e97fc15a1948e3b866a9b41f8fc7b82023-11-19T17:56:59ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442023-10-011410126910.3390/rel14101269Performing Ecclesiastes: Text as ScriptJeanette Mathews0School of Theology, Charles Sturt University, Canberra, ACT 2600, AustraliaAll biblical scholars are committed to the interpretation of ancient written texts, but Biblical Performance Criticism (BPC) reminds interpreters that performance helps us better understand Scripture. A distinct difference between Narrative Criticism and Performance Criticism is the broader application of Performance Criticism to poetic and prose texts that are not grounded in narrative. The ambiguity of prose and poetry that does not readily identify speakers is open to a range of performative interpretations. Furthermore, audiences are necessary for performance and contribute to meaning-making. The embodied experience of performers and audience alike contribute to the interpretation of biblical texts. This article reflects on a performance of Ecclesiastes translated as a script of a television talk show, claiming that embodying and performing Scripture is itself a method for interpretation. Through the performance of Scripture, we are reminded that interpretation is shared and dynamic within the community of faith.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/10/1269Biblical Performance CriticismperformanceEcclesiastesQoheletembodimenttranslation |
| spellingShingle | Jeanette Mathews Performing Ecclesiastes: Text as Script Religions Biblical Performance Criticism performance Ecclesiastes Qohelet embodiment translation |
| title | Performing Ecclesiastes: Text as Script |
| title_full | Performing Ecclesiastes: Text as Script |
| title_fullStr | Performing Ecclesiastes: Text as Script |
| title_full_unstemmed | Performing Ecclesiastes: Text as Script |
| title_short | Performing Ecclesiastes: Text as Script |
| title_sort | performing ecclesiastes text as script |
| topic | Biblical Performance Criticism performance Ecclesiastes Qohelet embodiment translation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/10/1269 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jeanettemathews performingecclesiastestextasscript |