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Old Testament Narratives and Speech ACT Theory

Creating Worlds with Words

By: Steven T Mann

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Hardcover | 15 March 2025

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136 Pages

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Old Testament Narratives and Speech Act Theory explores the creative power of words in Old Testament narratives. While the most famous example of this phenomenon might involve divine utterances such as, "Let there be light" (Gen. 1:1), Steven T. Mann argues that human characters can also create worlds with their words in an attempt to influence the imaginations, and therefore actions, of their listeners. This study focuses on the performative nature of speeches that are found in several key Old Testament narratives, including Genesis 4:1-26; 18:16-33, Exodus 1:8-22; 32:1-14, Numbers 13-14, 2 Samuel 7:1-17, Amos 7:1-6, and Jonah 2:1-10; 4:2-3. The author organizes the study by identifying two basic levels of analysis: the story level (viewing the impact of narrative speeches within the world of the story) and the storyteller level (considering possible ways in which these narrative worlds might impact the world of the audience). Within these narratives, characters use their words to create competing worlds that clash as they attempt to advance their own agendas. The storyteller's portrayal of these narrative worlds invites the audience to incorporate viewpoints of certain characters into their own world.

Industry Reviews

Mann's disciplined application of Speech Act Theory to familiar but disputed Old Testament texts reveals compelling insights and fresh understanding of the complex interactions between the speakers' words within each story and the speech acts of the storyteller. His interpretations point to the potential impact of those ancient world-creating words on every generation of readers. --Pamela J. Scalise, Fuller Theological Seminary Speech act theory has been around for a while, but it can seem to be just another theory. Old Testament Narratives and Speech Act Theory is full of studies that show how the theory pays off in the actual study of the Scriptures. One sees more of what the stories were doing, and what their characters were doing when they (for instance) asked questions or made statements, and it thus helps the stories come alive and do what they aimed to do. --John Goldingay, Fuller Theological Seminary

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