This thesis investigates the subversion of Biblical discourse in Jeanette Winterson’s first two novels, Oranges are Not the Only Fruit and Boating for Beginners. By rewriting Biblical stories Winterson challenges traditional Western religious discourses and their rules for heteronormative social and sexual behaviours and desires. Winterson’s texts respond to the patriarchal nature of socially pervasive texts, such as the Bible, by encouraging her readers to regard these texts with suspicion, thus highlighting what can be seen as a ‘postmodern concern’ with the notion of ‘truth’. Chapter One of this thesis comprises a discussion of Biblical boundaries. These boundaries, I argue, are a process of historical oppression which serves to subjugate and control women, a practice inherent in the Bible and modern society. The Biblical boundaries within which women are expected to live, are carefully portrayed in Oranges and then comically and blasphemously mocked in Boating. Chapter One also argues that Winterson’s sexuality plays an important role in the understanding of her texts, despite her desire for her sexuality to remain ‘outside’ her writing. Chapter Two of this thesis, examines the mix of fact and fiction in Oranges, in order to create a new genre: fictional memoir. The chapter introduces the concept of the ‘autobiographical pact’ and the textual agreement which Winterson creates with her readers. In this chapter, I examine Winterson’s powerful subversion of Biblical discourse, through her narration of Jeanette’s ‘coming out’ within a Biblical framework. Chapter Three of this thesis examines Winterson’s second book, Boating, and the serious elements of this comic book. This chapter studies the various postmodern narrative techniques used in Boating in order to subvert Biblical and historical discourse. Chapter Three highlights Winterson’s postmodern concern with the construction of history as ‘truth’. Finally, Chapter Four compares Oranges and Boating, showing the texts as differing, yet equally relevant textual counterparts. This chapter examines the anti-feminine characters in both texts and Winterson’s ability to align her reader with a feminist or lesbian viewpoint. This thesis argues that Winterson’s first two texts deliberately challenge Biblical discourse in favour of a postmodern feminist viewpoint.

M.A. / The main aim of the research was to make the book of Revelation, often considered as a marginal book within the context of the Christian Bible, more accessible for contemporary readers. The study's first focus is on the contextualization of the creation of this book. The most accepted time frame in which this text was written is around 95-96 AD. The social-historical context in those years was investigated and possible crisis and conflict elements identified. Hypotheses about authorship was developed concluding that Revelation was probably written by a Jew who was part of an itinerant group which was viewed as apocalyptic prophets. The structure of the book of Revelation was investigated, as it is essential for the analysis of the contents. It was found that scholarship has not yet reach consensus of the book of Revelation. Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza nonetheless found general approval among scholars and thus was this chiastic surface structure applied on the book of Revelation. Other models of interpretation were investigated as well as key terminology. The focus then moved to feminist theology. It's origins, key terminology, important contributors and its contributions in the world were investigated. A couple of the new feminist hermeneutical and exegetical models that have been developed during the last decade were research concentrating especially on the twelve tenets developed from the notion of Denise Carmody's pillars of feminist theology. Revelation is interpreted by using these twelve tenets namely the quest for truth, meaning, justice, equality, love, hope, beauty, identity, empowerment, unity, happiness/fulfilment and freedom. Finally, this analysis is briefly evaluated in order to establish if the main aims namely: to arrive at a fresh interpretation of Revelation, making the book of Revelation more accessible to its readers, evaluating the book's relevance for today and developing the means to lead more believers or other readers from fear to freedom, was accomplished. The study concluded that this method had the potential to contribute towards a fresh interpretation of the apocalypse, and the identification of a meaningful message in the narrative. However, using this method exclusively in the exegetical analysis of the book of Revelation, tended to narrow the focus down to only a limited aspect of this rich and varied text. The findings of this research project suggested that, with further refinement, the Carmody-derived research process could fruitfully be used in conjunction with other feminist hermeneutical and exegetical models. Integrated in this manner, it has the potential to contribute towards a change in interpretive perspective and practice.

Thesis (MPhil (Old and New Testament))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / This paper attempts an exploration and description of a hermeneutic of learned helplessness. Drawing on insights from both psychology and theology, it problematises the interaction that an individual believer can develop with the Bible and living a life of faith. Attempts to account for this situation involve biblical interpretation, the church and the pastoral care context. The body of the paper consists of four chapters, describing the four pillars supporting a hermeneutic of learned helplessness. The first chapter highlights certain of the difficulties that develop when the authority of the Bible is abused. The second chapter looks at the vocation of the pastor, and notes how lack of accountability and limited self-awareness can result in inadequate and harmful biblical interpretation. The third chapter highlights the negative effects of the neglect of emotion on individual faith and interaction with the biblical text, referring specifically to women. Finally, the fourth chapter identifies the tendency to regard morality as expressed primarily through behaviour, and to use the Bible as a book of rules. The combination of these four factors generates an environment in which a hermeneutic of learned helplessness can quickly develop in a Christian believer. This paper is an attempt to more clearly define my observations following work in the context of pastoral care and counselling. It is hoped that by clarifying the nature of the problem, this will prove to be the first step toward finding possible solutions.

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