Prophets as Performers: Biblical Performance Criticism and Israel’s Prophets

by Jeanette Mathews

Publisher:

Cascade Books

, 2020

Overview

The biblical prophets and Biblical Performance Criticism are brought together in three case studies (Elijah, Ezekiel, Jonah) presented as performances. This book proposes a new method of reading the biblical prophets with a threefold focus on creativity, commentary, and connections. With this method the many and varied performances of the prophets can be better appreciated. Critical analysis of the quintessentially performative nature of the prophets as embodied spokespersons for YHWH aids us in understanding and clarifying YHWH's message to audiences, situations, and communities of the past as well as engaging contemporary audiences.

Praise for Prophets as Performers

“In Prophets as Performers, Jeanette Mathews issues an irresistible invitation to hear the biblical prophets afresh through performance criticism. Settings, scenes, script, actors, and props are skillfully illuminated in three case studies on Elijah, Ezekiel, and Jonah. In a volume that is accessible for students and preachers, and compelling for scholars, theory and practice are crucially brought together demonstrating rich possibilities for prophetic re-enactment in our own contexts.”

—Rachelle Gilmour, author of Representing the Past and Juxtaposition and the Elijah Cycle



“Jeanette Mathews builds upon her earlier study of performance criticism applied to Habakkuk. Here, she enlivens her introduction of the method with three new case studies. She creatively engages ancient and modern performance and invites her own readers to consider the Elijah Cycle as a four-part mini-series, to reflect upon Ezekiel as a performance artist, and to envision Jonah as a stage play.”

—James D. Nogalski, author of The Book of the Twelve and Beyond and The Book of the Twelve: Hosea-Jonah



“What more appropriate application of performance criticism than to bring it to bear on the proclamations of Hebrew prophets! Following her groundbreaking work on Habakkuk, Jeanette Mathews has stepped up to analyze other prophetic performances. Her narrative analyses and performative reflections on Elijah, Ezekiel, and Jonah, including her stimulating translations, illuminate these writings as active speech. Recommended for students and scholars interested in accessing insights into the Hebrew Bible through performance criticism.”

—David Rhoads, author of Mark as Story and The Challenge of Diversity

Product Details

• Title: Prophets as Performers: Biblical Performance Criticism and Israel’s Prophets
• Author: Jeanette Mathews
• Publisher: Cascade Books
• Print Publication Date: 2020
• Logos Release Date: 2020
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781532685545, 9781532685521, 9781532685538, 1532685548, 1532685521, 153268553X
• Resource ID: LLS:9781532685545
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-12-11T01:24:11Z

About Jeanette Mathews

Jeanette Mathews is Head of School and Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies in the School of Theology at Charles Sturt University, based at St. Mark’s National Theological Centre in Canberra, Australia. Prior to joining St. Mark’s she was ordained as a Baptist minister and worked in Baptist churches in Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory. Her theological education took place at Baptist Theological Seminary (Rüschlikon), the University of Cape Town, and Charles Sturt University. Her research focus is Biblical Performance Criticism of the Hebrew Bible.