Frame MP3s

Once again Monergism has made MP3s available for FREE!!! This time around 43 lectures given by Dr. John Frame, and they are titled "Pastoral and Social Ethics."

Bergen's Article Review

A overview and critique of Robert Bergen's article, Text as a Guide to Authorial Intention: An Introduction to Discourse Criticism.

Bergen’s article[1] examines various aspects within written human communication that allows the audience to accurately perceive and understand the author’s original intent.  His article articulates and explains several “language-specific parameters” within linguistics which exist on a conscious and subconscious level.  This type of analysis of written human communication is referred to as “discourse criticism.”  Discourse criticism is especially crucial for the Biblical/theological community because theology and exegesis are utterly dependent upon the very text of the Scriptures.  Bergen deals with the following three aspects of discourse criticism in his article: 1) basic assumptions of discourse criticism, 2) discourse-grammatical features which point to authorial-intended significance, and 3) a discourse-critical strategy for discerning authorial intention.

From the outset Bergen lays out that within discourse criticism there are underlying “assumptions about language” upon which this linguistic analysis is grounded.  He succinctly articulates the five most basic assumptions undergirding discourse criticism.  First, Bergen asserts that all parties within communication must agree upon a “set of symbols” or “code” that exude certain meaning.  He refers to this mutual agreement of both parties as a “convention of significance.”  The writer and the reader must come to this median in order for written communication to be effective.  Second, he argues that a majority of written communication takes place on a subconscious level.  Because of the vast amount of data being taken in much of the information received is processed subliminally.[2]  However, Bergen rightly points out in his third assumption that although much of the data taken in is at a subliminal level, this does not decrease its importance or its contribution to communication. 

His final two assumptions deal with parameters that universally guide all language codes.  Genre obviously limits communication to specified realms while hierarchical organized units of language dictate the application of a language code.  According to Bergen language is “multi-tiered.”  The higher levels (i.e. stories, scenes, episodes, etc.) of a language text govern the lower levels (i.e. letters, vowels, words, etc.) of which they are made.  Therefore, the principles that govern a language code are equally dependent upon the higher and lower levels of a language text.  The pattern is cyclical for without the higher levels, the lower levels have no guidelines and therefore no significance.  Likewise, the reverse is true.

Bergen proceeds to explain three discourse-grammatical features that point to authorial-intended significance: 1) order, 2) quantity, and 3) type of information.  He bases these “hints” which point to authorial significance upon the “norm-deviation principle.”  When any of these three categories of information deviate from their “normal” use the author is in some way signifying precedence.  In his last two points Bergen gives a staggering strategy for doing proper discourse analysis and then lists the incredible benefits of such analysis. 

In critique I felt Bergen beautifully summarized the art of discourse criticism.  He was realistic, yet optimistic in his approach.  I appreciate that from the outset he readily admitted that “discourse criticism works from a set of assumptions.”  Whether one agrees with the accuracy of his presuppositions laid forth will determine their acceptance of such research.  I also thought his observation of the subliminal level of human communication was insightful.  So much of why we as 21^st century believers have a hard time understanding the text is that we are ignorant and oblivious to the subliminal factors that even we subconsciously use in our everyday language! 

A few other things to note: on pages 330-331, his fourth and fifth sub-subpoints seem to be saying the same thing, just reworded.  I personally was not seeing the difference between the two?  His second main point in his article was straightforward, and his third point concerning his strategy is where he nails the difficulty in discourse criticism studies.  People fitting such a description are definitely “in short supply.”  Lastly, I wholeheartedly agree with his three concluding thoughts concerning the potentially revolutionary ramifications of discourse analysis.  By the will of the Father via the Holy Spirit such research could open up the text of Scripture in an astounding new light as never seen before in the history of the Church!

 

 

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[1] Robert D. Bergen, Text as a Guide to Authorial Intention: An Introduction to Discourse Criticism, JETS, 30/3 (September 1987), 327-336. 

 

[2] Bergen gives a couple factors that contribute to this subliminal level of communication.  He states, “in normal communication people choose to overlook them,” and that in basic Biblical language grammars such subconscious levels of communication are oftentimes “ignored or inadequately treated.”

Martin Luther King Jr. on Social Justice

Dr. MLK Jr. spoke at Western Michigan University on December 16, 1963 concerning Social Justice.  Check out this speech transcription.

ht: jt

Clowney and Keller on Preaching in Postmodern World

35 sessions in which Keller and Clowney team-teach through RTS.  Find it here.  All lectures are free!!!

HT: JT

God of This City

Katie and I just recently bought Chris Tomlin's newest cd, "Hello Love."  His fourth track is called "God of This City" and as I listened to the lyrics for the first time, the Lord instantly turned my mind to the people of Vancouver.  God is God, and we are not.  He is in control, and His will is sovereign.  He choose to use us as broken, dirty, and useless vessels to carry out His cause and His kingdom!  What an incredible and humbling privilege and calling!  As I listened to this song the Spirit of God just burned in my heart, and I became so excited for the future ministry and the people of Vancouver, BC which God has divinely given us a burden to reach with the Gospel!  Ironically, the week in which we bought the cd was so hectic that Katie and I didn't see each other until several days later, and when we finally had some down time we immediately asked each other about this song, and we both felt the Spirit of God moving our minds and thoughts to the ministry and people of Vancouver!  

"Lord use us as you want whatever the cost.  By faith we'll preach your Gospel till our dying breath!  Let your kingdom come.  Let your will be done, so that everyone might know your name!  Let your song be heard everywhere on earth.  Until your sovereign work on earth is done!  Let your kingdom come!"

Driscoll lays down the hammer in Sydney

Mark Driscoll spoke to the Anglican clergy concerning what was hindering evangelistic ministry in Sydney.  Some hard-lined statements were laid down in his 18 point critique!

MP3 is also available!

HT: MB

Ray Boltz announces that he's gay.

The well known Christian musician in the 90's announced that he is gay.  He is best known for his GMA song of the year in 1990, Thank You.  I grew up listening to this guy.  His song, I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb was one of my favorites growing up.  I listened to it all the time.  Crazy.  You can read about it here.  

"In my flesh dwells no good thing."

Palin vs Obama

This post by Jeff Emanuel is pretty hilarious.  Check it out here.

HT: AN

Driscoll interviews Piper

Mark Driscoll sits down with Dr. John Piper.  Check it out here.