Sight and blindness in Luke-Acts : the use of physical features in characterization

Author(s)
    • Hartsock, Chad
Bibliographic Information

Sight and blindness in Luke-Acts : the use of physical features in characterization

by Chad Hartsock

(Biblical interpretation series, v. 94)

Brill, 2008

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Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. [209]-219) and indexes

Description and Table of Contents

Description

The ancient world often thought in terms of physiognomics-the idea that character can be discerned by studying outward, physical features. That physical descriptions carry moral freight in characterization has been largely missed in modern biblical scholarship, and this study brings that to the forefront. Specifically, this is a study of one particular physical marker-blindness. When we look at Greco-Roman literature, a kind of literary topos begins to emerge, a set of assumptions that ancient audiences would typically make when encountering blind characters. Luke-Acts makes use of such a topos in a way that becomes programmatic, serving as a kind of interpretive key to Luke-Acts that is generally unnoticed in modern scholarship.

Table of Contents

Chapter One: Introduction Methodology Outline of Chapters Chapter Two: An Introduction to Physiognomy Physiognomy Defined: Its History and Practice Introducing the Sources-Handbooks on Physiognomy The Methods of the Physiognomists Physiognomy in Practice: Examples in Ancient Literature Conclusion Chapter Three: Eyes, Sight, and Blindness: Learning to See with Physiognomic Eyes Disability in the Greco-Roman World The Eyes: Window to the Soul Blindness in Greco-Roman Literature: Developing a Topos Examples of Blindness in Greco-Roman Literature Conclusion Chapter Four: Physiognomy and Blindness in the Old Testament and Second Temple Judaism Linking Physiognomy to the Old Testament Examples of Physiognomy in the Old Testament and Second Temple Judaism Blindness in the Jewish Writings Conclusion Chapter Five: Physiognomy and Blindness in the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature Examples of Physiognomy in the NT and Other Early Christian Literature Examples of Blindness in the NT and Other Early Christian Literature Conclusion Chapter Six: Physiognomy and Blindness in Luke-Acts Physiognomy in Luke-Acts Blindness in Luke-Acts Chapter Seven: Conclusion Bibliography

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