Some error occured while loading the Quick View. Please close the Quick View and try reloading the page.
An interdisciplinary analysis of the Book of Daniel, showing how the text can be constructively read as a narrative textbook in theological hermeneutics.
Employing such disciplines as historical criticism, literary criticism, narrative theology, and hermeneutics, Reading Daniel as a Text in Theological Hermeneutics seeks to maintain an interdisciplinary approach to the Book of Daniel. Through this approach, the author sets out to understand and interpret the Book of Daniel as a narrative exercise in theological hermeneutics.
Two inherently linked perspectives are utilised in this particular reading of the text: First is the perception that the character of Daniel is the paradigm of the good theological hermeneut; theology and hermeneutics are inseparable and converge in the character of Daniel. Second is the standpoint that the Book of Daniel on the whole should be read as a hermeneutics textbook. Readers are led through a series of theories and exercises meant to be instilled into their theological, intellectual, and practical lives.
Attention to the reader of the text is a constant theme throughout this thesis. The author’s concern is primarily with contemporary readers and their communities, and so greater emphasis is placed on what the Book of Daniel means for contemporary readers than on what it meant in its historical setting. However, sensible consideration is given to the historical readerly community with which contemporary readers find continuity. In the end, readers are left with difficult challenges, a sobering awareness of the volatility of the business of hermeneutics, and serious implications for readers to implement both theologically and hermeneutically.
Employing such disciplines as historical criticism, literary criticism, narrative theology, and hermeneutics, Reading Daniel as a Text in Theological Hermeneutics seeks to maintain an interdisciplinary approach to the Book of Daniel. Through this approach, the author sets out to understand and interpret the Book of Daniel as a narrative exercise in theological hermeneutics.
Two inherently linked perspectives are utilised in this particular reading of the text: First is the perception that the character of Daniel is the paradigm of the good theological hermeneut; theology and hermeneutics are inseparable and converge in the character of Daniel. Second is the standpoint that the Book of Daniel on the whole should be read as a hermeneutics textbook. Readers are led through a series of theories and exercises meant to be instilled into their theological, intellectual, and practical lives.
Attention to the reader of the text is a constant theme throughout this thesis. The author’s concern is primarily with contemporary readers and their communities, and so greater emphasis is placed on what the Book of Daniel means for contemporary readers than on what it meant in its historical setting. However, sensible consideration is given to the historical readerly community with which contemporary readers find continuity. In the end, readers are left with difficult challenges, a sobering awareness of the volatility of the business of hermeneutics, and serious implications for readers to implement both theologically and hermeneutically.
Price: $29.99
Pages: 256
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Inc.
Imprint: James Clarke
Publication Date:
25 August 2011
Trim Size: 9.02 X 6.02 in
ISBN: 9780227173640
Format: Paperback
BISACs:
HISTORY / Wars & Conflicts / World War II / General, Second World War, RELIGION / Biblical Studies / General, Criticism and exegesis of sacred texts, Bibles
Sometimes, one encounters a book that feels just a bit 'different'; this volume by Aaron B. Hebbard would seem to be one such example. ... First, it avowedly reads the text/book of Daniel (what he terms 'Daniel') as a textbook in hermeneutics, outlining strategies for interpretation and exposing the (contemporary) reader to the challenges and issues of theological hermeneutics. Second, it avers that Daniel the character (i.e. 'Daniel') is a theological hermeneut par excellence, a skilled and trustworthy practitioner in the art of hermeneutics and interpretation, who is both mentor/teacher to other characters in the text (notably Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) and exemplar to the contemporary reader seeking to harness their skills in such areas. ... [The book's] primary interest is the contemporary reader, and thus takes seriously the narrative effect of Daniel and notably the surprising features, or oddities of the narratives; there is interesting discussion - one might say justification of Daniel's absence from Chapter 3, and it finds fruitful grounds for placing Nebuchadnezzar's doxology at the beginning of Dan 4 rather at the close of Dan 3. It is informed, without being technical (there is only one minimal reference to Hebrew/Aramaic), and would be of value to undergraduates, seminary students or theologically aware lay readers.'
— David M. Allen: Reviews
This book attempts to read the Book of Daniel as 'a narrative textbook in the field of theological hermeneutics.' The character Daniel is taken as a paradigm of the good theological hermeneut, and the book is read as a guide to the art of interpretation.
— John J. Collins
In conclusion, Hebbard's work is an important step in the ongoing study of the book of Daniel. The book is well written and documented and its insistence on theological hermeneutics is especially commendable. Although I take a very different approach to the historicity of Daniel, I recommend Reading Daniel to anyone interested in the field of multidisciplinary approaches to the text of the Bible, especially in Daniel.
— Zdravko Stefanovic
In that blurb, I noted H. H. Rowley's wistful comment (apropos of a scholar who thought he was propounding a new theory about Daniel, but which Rowley, who had read everything, knew was not new) that it is hard to say anything new about Daniel. Even if you think his book is a tour de force, Dr Hebbard has succeeded in saying something new.
— John Goldingay in Journal of Theological Studies,Vol. 63 (2), October 2012
— David M. Allen: Reviews
This book attempts to read the Book of Daniel as 'a narrative textbook in the field of theological hermeneutics.' The character Daniel is taken as a paradigm of the good theological hermeneut, and the book is read as a guide to the art of interpretation.
— John J. Collins
In conclusion, Hebbard's work is an important step in the ongoing study of the book of Daniel. The book is well written and documented and its insistence on theological hermeneutics is especially commendable. Although I take a very different approach to the historicity of Daniel, I recommend Reading Daniel to anyone interested in the field of multidisciplinary approaches to the text of the Bible, especially in Daniel.
— Zdravko Stefanovic
In that blurb, I noted H. H. Rowley's wistful comment (apropos of a scholar who thought he was propounding a new theory about Daniel, but which Rowley, who had read everything, knew was not new) that it is hard to say anything new about Daniel. Even if you think his book is a tour de force, Dr Hebbard has succeeded in saying something new.
— John Goldingay in Journal of Theological Studies,Vol. 63 (2), October 2012
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. A Hermeneutic Reading of Daniel
The Historical Continuum of the Danielic Community
Purpose of Daniel
Danielic Hermeneutics
2. Narration in Daniel
The “Tell” of Three Narrators
Conclusion
3. The Introduction to Danielic Hermeneutics
Setting the Sense of Reading
Daniel 1: Introduction to the Narrative
4. The Undergraduate Courses – Danielic Hermeneutics in Theory
Daniel 2: Disclosing Dream and Identity
Daniel 3: The Exit Exam for the Unbending Boys
Daniel 4: Nebuchadnezzar’s Conversion to Yahwism
Daniel 5: Belshazzar, the Lightweight Interpreter
Daniel 6: The Rise, Fall, and Rise of Daniel
5. The Graduate Courses – Danielic Hermeneutics in Praxis
Daniel 7: The Court of Heaven Casts Judgment
Daniel 8: Vision, Interpretation, Understanding
Daniel 9: Daniel’s Seventy and Gabriel’s Seventy-Sevens
Daniel 10: Another Angelic Encounter
Daniel 11: Revelation of Details
Daniel 12: Danielism – Survival of the Wisest
6. The Reader as Hermeneut
Reader as Character
Reader as Text
Reader as Hermeneut
Bibliography
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. A Hermeneutic Reading of Daniel
The Historical Continuum of the Danielic Community
Purpose of Daniel
Danielic Hermeneutics
2. Narration in Daniel
The “Tell” of Three Narrators
Conclusion
3. The Introduction to Danielic Hermeneutics
Setting the Sense of Reading
Daniel 1: Introduction to the Narrative
4. The Undergraduate Courses – Danielic Hermeneutics in Theory
Daniel 2: Disclosing Dream and Identity
Daniel 3: The Exit Exam for the Unbending Boys
Daniel 4: Nebuchadnezzar’s Conversion to Yahwism
Daniel 5: Belshazzar, the Lightweight Interpreter
Daniel 6: The Rise, Fall, and Rise of Daniel
5. The Graduate Courses – Danielic Hermeneutics in Praxis
Daniel 7: The Court of Heaven Casts Judgment
Daniel 8: Vision, Interpretation, Understanding
Daniel 9: Daniel’s Seventy and Gabriel’s Seventy-Sevens
Daniel 10: Another Angelic Encounter
Daniel 11: Revelation of Details
Daniel 12: Danielism – Survival of the Wisest
6. The Reader as Hermeneut
Reader as Character
Reader as Text
Reader as Hermeneut
Bibliography