The value of Paul Ricoeur's hermeneutic of metaphor in interpreting the symbolism of Revelation chapters 12 and 13

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Paul, I., 1998. The value of Paul Ricoeur's hermeneutic of metaphor in interpreting the symbolism of Revelation chapters 12 and 13. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

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Abstract

This thesis seeks to bring together Paul Ricoeur's hermeneutic of metaphor and the reading of the metaphorical imagery ('symbolism') in Revelation 12 and 13, in the context of wider concerns about methodology in interpretation.

Initially, concerns in interpretative methodology are explored by examining some representative approaches to the Book of Revelation. From this, two key issues are identified: general questions of method in the move from text to interpretation; and the specific question of interpreting Revelation's metaphorical language ('symbolism').

The thesis then explores the understanding of metaphor developed by Paxil Ricoeur (a major contemporary thinker in this area) in the context of recent developments in the study of metaphor, in the context of Ricoeur's programme of phenomenological hermeneutics, and in the light of significant criticisms from other thinkers.

The thesis then returns to the Book of Revelation. The first part of this analysis (study of historical context) focuses on current debate and methodology. The second half (the study of linguistic context) returns to engage with the issues raised by Ricoeur and his critics.

The final section uses a distinctively Ricoeurian framework to draw the analysis together, and identify the way Revelation 12 and 13 use 'polemical displacement' to offer a vision of the world alternative to the prevailing outlook, in a way analogous to contemporary political cartoon and propaganda.

The thesis engages with a wide range of approaches to Revelation, with recent debate concerning the nature of language and metaphor, and with a range of studies of the much-debated work of Ricoeur.

It makes contributions in a number of areas: a new assessment of the ways in which Revelation has been read; a clear and concise outline of the thought of Ricoeur, often said to be 'opaque'; specific contributions to current discussion of the date of Revelation, its use of written and oral sources, and the subject of Old Testament allusion (including the observation of a significant allusion never noted until now); and a reading of Rev 12 and 13 that is both methodologically rigorous and easily accessible.

Item Type:

Thesis

Creators:

Paul, I.

Date:

1998

ISBN:

9781369313208

Identifiers: