Old Testament Narratives and Speech Act Theory: Creating Worlds with Words

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. 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.

Table of Contents:
Chapter One: Speech Act Theory and Biblical Narrative Chapter Two: A Clash of Imaginations in Genesis 4 Chapter Three: Prayerful Imaginations: The Power of “Perhaps” (Genesis 18:16-33; Exodus 32:1-14; Amos 7:1-6) Chapter Four: Predatory and Protective Worlds in Exodus 1:8-22 Chapter Five: Imagining the Land: A Duel of Descriptions in Numbers 13–14 Chapter Six: Imagining the Temple (2 Samuel 7:1-17) Chapter Seven: Performative Prayers of a Prophet (Jonah 2:1-10 [2-11]; 4:2-3) Chapter Eight: How to Do Things with Worlds

About the Author :
Steven T. Mann is associate professor of biblical and theological studies at Azusa Pacific Seminary, Azusa Pacific University.

Review :
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. 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. Speech-act theory offers an important lens for understanding the Bible. Steven Mann applies key facets of this well-developed theory to Old Testament narratives to produce fresh readings. With keen narrative sensibilities and clear analysis, Mann explores how biblical characters ‘create worlds with their words.’ And he helps us see how the Old Testament storytellers evaluate these discursive “worlds” to invite readers into transformative engagement.