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THE AREOPAGUS SPEECH AND CONTEXTUALIZATION: SOME HERMENEUTICAL AND EXEGETICAL CONSIDERATIONS

by Flavien Pardigon in Vol. 6 No. 1 / Apr 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35285/ucc6.1.2020.art1



Abstract: The Areopagus speech is commonly seen as a model of missionary contextualization, an exemplary translation of the gospel into the language and concepts of Paul’s Athenian audience. This article evaluates this line of interpretation using the hermeneutical concept of “framing” that is at the heart of contemporary linguistics, narratology, translation theory, and evangelical contextualization models. Looking especially at the work of Colin Chapman and Kevin Higgins, two influential missiologists, and considering seven key exegetical cruxes, it shows that their type of interpretation fails to read the speech contextually because it is not attentive to the way Paul and Luke frame the text.

Keywords
Areopagus Speech, Contextualization, Book Of Acts, Cognitive Linguistics, Narratology, Missiology, Biblical Hermeneutics (or Biblical Interpretation), Colin Chapman, Kevin Higgins
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Other Articles in
Vol. 6 No. 1 / Apr 2020

Editorial: The Way We Live Now by Paul Wells
The Areopagus Speech and Contextualization: Some Hermeneutical and Exegetical Considerations by Flavien Pardigon
Shared Presuppositions? The CAMEL Method and the Insider Movement by John Span
Missiological Implications of Conscience in Present-Day Roman Catholicism by Reid Karr
Cults and Conscience: Apologetics and the Reconfigured Conscience of Cult Members by H. G. STOKER
Solidarity in the Fall: An Essay on Self-Deception by ANDRÉ GESKE
Self-Deception and the Apologetic of Despair in Pascal, Kierkegaard, and Bahnsen by THEODORE G. (TED) VAN RAALTE
Does Our Lord Ask Too Much? A Neglected Issue in Apologetics Today by WILLIAM EDGAR
God Intended It for Good: Re-forming Evil by YANNICK IMBERT
Edwards: Ethics for Both the Vulgar and the Learned by PAUL HELM
Progress and Protest in Late Nineteenth- and Early Twentieth-Century Presbyterianism by CHAD VAN DIXHOORN
Young Age Faith in Light of Developmental Psychology by G. JONKER VENTER AND H. G. STOKER
Interview with Os Guinness by PETER A. LILLBACK
Schaeffer's Apologetics by JERRAM BARRS
Newbigin’s Missionary Ecclesiology by ARJAN DE VISSER
Book Review: Flavien Pardigon. Paul Against the Idols: A Contextual Reading of the Areopagus Speech by JEONG KOO JEON
Book Review: Elijah Hixson and Peter J. Gurry, eds. Myths and Mistakes in New Testament Textual Criticism. by THOMAS HAVILAND-PABST
Book Review: John V. Fesko. Reforming Apologetics: Retrieving the Classic Reformed Approach to Defending the Faith by ANDRÉ GESKE
Book Review: Paul Helm. Human Nature from Calvin to Edwards by MATTHEW J. HART
Book Review: Jordan Peterson. Twelve Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by ALISON WELLS
Epilogue: Pastoral Principles Pertaining to Pestilence and Providence by PETER A. LILLBACK