One of the most interesting features of the late Norman Perrin (d. 1976) as a scholar is the fact that he changed his mind a number of times about a number of issues. This study uncovers some of the factors behind those changes, sets his work in the context of modern New Testament scholarship, and shows how his work is paradigmatic of key movements and issues in scholarship. / Chapters I and II bring into focus, and posit a reciprocal causative relationship between, the methodological and theological perspectives which governed his research. They demonstrate that his scholarly development followed a pattern where his theology sought support from a method which, when applied, led to conclusions which necessitated a shift in theology. The cycle would then begin again as the new theological position sought support from a new method. Chapter I traces this pattern through four methodological shifts (conservative form criticism, radical form criticism, redaction criticism, and literary criticism) and Chapter II traces the corresponding shifts in theology. / The shifts in his theology moved him from a position where he viewed history as the basis for faith toward a position where history was not important for faith. While he was moving toward an ahistorical perspective, he never reached it, and near the end of his career he was beginning to develop an inclusive hermeneutical and theological stance that would incorporate the various emphases of his scholarly pilgrimage. / In addition to uncovering the internal factors mentioned above, this study views his shifts with respect to method and conclusions in the context of New Testament scholarship. / Chapters III and IV discuss the particular exegetical conclusions he arrived at with respect to the Kingdom of God, parables, Son of man, and Gospel of Mark. His treatment of these issues is discussed in light of (1) the twin issues of exegetical method and the relationship of faith and history, and (2) the current scholarly influences on his work. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 44-11, Section: A, page: 3413. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1983.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_75215 |
| Contributors | MERCER, CALVIN RICHARD, JR., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 324 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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