Allegory, mimesis and the text - eTheses Repository - University of

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ALLEGORY, MIMESIS AND THE TEXT:
THEOLOGICAL MOULDING OF LUKAN PARABLES IN
CODEX BEZAE CANTABRIGIENSIS
by
ROLI GARCIA DELA CRUZ
A thesis submitted to
The University of Birmingham
for the degree of
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Department of Theology and Religion
School of Historical Studies
The University of Birmingham
December 2004
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ABSTRACT
Allegory, Mimesis and the Text: Theological Moulding of
Lukan Parables in Codex Bezae Cantabrigiensis
The approach of this thesis is a departure from the traditional philological
examination of understanding the variant readings in Codex Bezae Cantabrigiensis. The
parables of Jesus in Luke are the object of investigation. The witness of the Church Fathers
in the form of their allegorical exegesis of the text of the New Testament is employed to
explain variant readings of the Bezan text. The notion that the harmonising tendency in the
accounts of the Gospels is simply due to embarrassment is challenged. The alternative theory
argued here is that the harmonisation, particularly of Luke to Matthew, of the text of the
Gospels is interpretative in nature. The ancient practice of mimetic cross-referencing or
intertextuality has been utilised in the Bezan text of Luke. The practice of mimetic
harmonisation as applied in classical literature is the context assumed in this study.
Additionally, the representative mimetic view of the way in which the written text interacts
with the reality of life is also considered in the light of a harmonistic approach to the
interpretation of the Lukan text and the allegorical interpretation of the parables of Jesus. It
is argued that allegorising variants and mimetic readings have moulded the Bezan text of
Luke. An anti-Judaic tendency and a faith-seeking theological mimetic representation are
embedded in the Bezan text. They become recognisable when evaluated in the light of the
patristic exegesis of the Lukan parables in Codex Bezae. Thus, the understanding of the
variant readings of the Lukan parables in Bezae should be studied in the light of ancient
literary criticism and the early history of Christian exegesis of the Gospel parables.
In memory of Tatay Edring
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract......................................................................................................................................ii
Dedication.................................................................................................................................iii
Table of Contents......................................................................................................................iv
Acknowledgements...................................................................................................................vi
Abbreviations............................................................................................................................ix
CHAPTER 1
BEZAN ENIGMA AND ANCIENT TEXTS...........................................................................1
Introduction...................................................................................................................1
Configuration of the Ancient Texts...............................................................................3
Value of the Intended Approach..................................................................................10
Definition of the Distinctive Terms.............................................................................15
Nature of the Bezan Puzzle.........................................................................................29
Delimitation of the Textual Investigation....................................................................37
Assumptions of the Working Hypothesis....................................................................40
CHAPTER 2
METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES AND ANCIENT EXEGESIS.............................................46
Contributions of the Various Approaches.......................................................................46
Search to Develop an Appropriate Coherent Method.................................................47
Holmes on Matthew.........................................................................................49
Rice on Luke....................................................................................................53
Wensinck’s Linguistic Approach.....................................................................56
Mees’ Literary Methodology...........................................................................58
Read-Heimerdinger’s Discourse Analysis......................................................62
CroweTipton’s Reader Response....................................................................65
Bartsch’s Localised Reading...........................................................................69
Parker’s Manuscript Tradition.......................................................................74
Challenge to Find an Applicable Reading Model.......................................................76
Advantages of the Theoretical Framework.....................................................................85
Methodology of the Interpretative Approach..................................................................92
CHAPTER 3
GOSPEL HARMONY AND ALLEGORISING READING...............................................104
Gospel Harmonisations Fitting to Mimetic and Polemic Purposes...............................104
Diatessaronic Model and Intertextual Reading as Interpretative Tool..................106
Textual Cross-reference and Interpretative Allegory as Variant Readings...........110
Mimesis Theory of Literary Imitation as Intertextual Authority Referencing..........115
Disapproving Plato and Sympathetic Aristotle on Representational Mimesis......117
Latin Writers and Mimesis Theory on Classical Rhetoric....................................120
Patristic Assumption and Chain Referencing on Literary Imitation.....................127
Patristic Harmonisation of Gospel Parables as Allusive Mimetic Composition.......131
Textual Alterations Fitting to Allegorical and Mimetic Readings................................136
Patristic Understanding of Gospel Parables as Obscure Figurative Language.........139
Allegorising Reading of Gospel Parables as Symbolic Mimetic Representation.....144
Variant Readings Fitting to Allegorising and Mimetic Indices ....................................149
CHAPTER 4
ANTI-JUDAIC READING AND LUKAN PARABLES.....................................................156
The Wedding Guests, The Cloth Patch and The Old Wineskins (Lk 5.34-39).........160
The Return of Unclean Spirit (Lk 11.24-26).............................................................173
The Great Banquet (Lk 14.16-24).............................................................................185
The Pounds (Lk 19.11-27).........................................................................................191
The Barren Fig Tree (Lk 13.6-9)...............................................................................204
The Rich Man and Lazarus (Lk 16.19-31)................................................................215
CHAPTER 5
FAITH-SEEKING UNDERSTANDING AND LUKAN PARABLES ...............................226
Parables Probably Influenced by Allegory and Mimesis..........................................231
The Sower (Lk 8.4-15)..................................................................................231
The Servant’s Reward (Lk 17.7-10)..............................................................247
Parables Plausibly Influenced by Allegory and Mimesis..........................................249
The Two Houses (Lk 6.47-49)......................................................................250
The Dishonest Steward (Lk 16.1-9)..............................................................255
Parables Possibly Influenced by Allegory and Mimesis...........................................257
The Servant in Authority (Lk 12.41-48).......................................................258
The Good Samaritan (Lk 10.30-37)..............................................................261
Parables Not Impossibly Influenced by Allegory and Mimesis................................268
The Defendant (Lk 12.57-59)........................................................................268
The Harvest and the Labourers (Lk 10.2).....................................................276
CHAPTER 6
CONCLUSION:
THEOLOGY INFLUENCES EXEGESIS WHICH SHAPES THE TEXT.........................280
Outcome of the Alternative Study.................................................................................281
Synthesis of Theological and Hermeneutical Approaches........................................282
Traditioning of Textual and Oral Materials...............................................................284
Description of Transmission and Reception Procedures...........................................286
Reappropriation of Travelling and Living Texts.......................................................290
Implications for Further Research.................................................................................292
Method for Textual Criticism: Definition of Autograph and Original Readings......293
Reconsideration of Q Source: Implication of Harmonised and Eclectic Texts.........295
Exegesis of Gospel Parables: Fragmentation of Written and Oral Transmissions....297
Bibliography..........................................................................................................................300
Texts..............................................................................................................................300
References.....................................................................................................................302
Periodicals.....................................................................................................................302
Books.............................................................................................................................308
Websites........................................................................................................................331
Unpublished...................................................................................................................331
Antiquity........................................................................................................................332
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My sincere thanks is due to Prof. David Parker, my Doktorvater, for supervising this
thesis. He has not only enthusiastically supervised me closely but was always a source of
encouragement and inspiration in the process of my research and writing. He has also
generously shared his personal collection of materials about Codex Bezae to me. I hope to
emulate not only the quality of his scholarship but also his good relationship with his
students. I have a model to imitate when I go back to the Philippines and teach my own
students. I would also like to appreciate those who taught me the languages that became vital
tools for the production of this thesis: Dr. David Taylor who taught me Syriac, Dr. Mark
Goodacre who taught me Coptic and Dr. Philip Burton with Dr. Jon Balserak who taught me
Latin. I also thank the Revd. Konrad Shäfer for teaching me German. The opportunity to
share my ideas during the formative stage of my thesis writing to the community of New
Testament scholars became available through the New Testament Textual Criticism Seminar
of the 57th Annual Meeting of Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas at Durham University,
6th – 10th of August 2002. I would like to thank the critical comments and good suggestions
from those scholars who attended my presentation. These professional textual critics not only
challenged my hypothesis but also provided a clear scope and direction that resulted to the
completion of this thesis.
I cannot study in the University of Birmingham without adequate financial support.
My main sponsoring institution, Langham Partnership International, London, has covered
most of my expenses during the period of study. I cannot thank the Trust enough for the
financial help. I also appreciate the funds from World Council of Churches, Geneva, and
Bethesda Foundation, U.S.A. My thanks also to my home seminary, Asia Pacific
Theological Seminary in Baguio City Philippines, for contributing to my financial needs as a
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student. I would also like to express my gratitude to the congregation of Subang Jaya
Assembly of God in Malaysia for their consistent financial help for four years.
Three of the New Testament scholars that I met in the period of my Ph.D. studies in
Birmingham University were generous enough to share their own materials with me. My
sincere appreciation goes to Drs. Roderic Mullen, Jenny Read-Heimerdinger and Andrew
Gregory for giving me copies of their recent works that were pertinent to my research on
Codex Bezae. Mrs. Leota Morar (my Aunt “Lee”) of Springfield, Missouri, allowed me to
use her address in U.S.A. for the delivery of the hard-to-find books that I ordered through the
internet. Thank you very much Aunt “Lee” for sending me all these books in U.K. free of
charge. Several people also helped me with my written English. Church members of Saint
John’s Parish, Harborne, Birmingham, spent time in correcting the use of English in my
drafts. I would like to thank Gill McIlwaine, Elizabeth Baker, Ron McCulloch and Maurice
Hobbs. My gratitude goes to Canon Paul Berg of Langham as well for standing as my
counsellor and pastor during the period of my stay in England. He has been always a source
of encouragement and wisdom. My acknowledgments will not be complete without
recognising two couples who allowed me to be a very regular visitor in their homes and made
my stay in England very pleasant: Allan and Olwen Anderson, and Gordon and Carol Harris.
There are several people associated with my department in the university that listened
and gave their thoughts about my research. They were patient to me as I talked to them about
Codex Bezae. They also gave their encouragement for me to keep on with my work. There
is an inner urged from within me to mention all their names, beside those whom I already
acknowledged, because they contributed to the shaping of my thoughts on Codex Bezae. My
appreciation is due to Chang Jong Sik, Revd. John Hambidge, Catherine Smith, Prof. Frances
Young, Emmanuel Sule, Dr. Michael Guy, Han Kyu Seok, Helen Ingram, Prof. Michael
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Goulder, Hugh Houghton, Lynette Mullins, Christian Jones, Dr. Ulrich Schmid, Amy
Myshrall, Opoku Onyinah, Jeong Jae Yong, Rachel Kevern, Revd. Philip Seddon, Prof.
Neville Birdsall, Cho Young Seok, Bruce Morrill, Dr. Bill Elliott, Chung Kwang Ho, Eric
Williams, Prof. R. S. Sugirtharajah, Han Seog Ho, David Trenchard, Goyo Cutimanco,
Richard Goode, Isaiah Philip, Kim Jong Fil, Emmanuel Hooper and Samuel Dali.
The production of this thesis cannot be done without the prayers of those people
whom I cannot enumerate, especially the students, staff and faculty of Asia Pacific
Theological Seminary. My sincere appreciation is due for those who prayed for me during
the four years that I stayed in England for my Ph.D. research, especially my mother Mrs.
Ligaya dela Cruz. I should not forget my Academic Dean, Dr. Wonsuk Ma, for his
encouragement for me to do a Ph.D. This work is dedicated in the memory of my father, Mr.
Pedro “Tatay Edring” dela Cruz, who first urged me to continue my formal education and do
a Ph.D. It is unfortunate that he did not live long enough to see his son pursuing a doctoral
degree. I hope that this thesis that I have written would represent the diligent attitude and
persistent character in accomplishing any kind of work on hand that I have witnessed and
inherited from him. Most of all lest I overlook, I should say: soli Deo gloria.
ABBREVIATIONS
ACCSNT Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture
New Testament
AGLB Aus der Geschichte der lateinischen Bibel
Aland and Aland, Text Kurt Aland and Barbara Aland, The Text of the New
Testament: An Introduction to the Critical Editions and to the
Theory and Practice of Modern Textual Criticism, 2nd ed.,
trans. Erroll F. Rhodes (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing Co., 1989)
Alten Übersetzungen K. Aland, ed., Die Alten Übersetzungen des Neuen
Testaments, die Kirchenväterzitate und Lektionare: der
Gegenwärtige Stand ihrer Erforschung und ihre Bedeutung für
die Griechische Textgeschichte, ANT 5 (Berlin: Walter De
Gruyter, 1972)
ANCL Ante-Nicene Christian Library: Translations of the Writings of
the Fathers Down to AD 325, eds. Alexander Roberts and
James Donaldson
ANRW Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt
ANT Arbeiten zur Neutestamentlichen Textforschung
APAACS American Philological Association American Classical
Studies
AThR Anglican Theological Review
ATLA BibS American Theological Library Association Bibliography
Series
AUSS Andrews University Seminary Studies
BAIFCS The Book of Acts in Its First Century Setting
BBC Bulletin of the Bezan Club
BCPS Bristol Classical Paperback Series
BDAG Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New
Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed, rev.
and ed. F. W. Danker (Chicago: University of Chicago Press,
2000)
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