Defending Hope

Description:
Most of the current scholarly literature on biblical intertextuality--or the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament--exhibits a high degree of variance regarding methodological approach. The variety of methods employed naturally yields a variety of results. Semiotics, or the study of signs and how they communicate, offers an avenue for approaching intertextual references that focuses on communication theory and meaning. In addition, semiotic theory provides an overarching methodological framework for examining intertextual references. As such, a semiotic approach can assist in creating greater methodological consistency and clarity for this nuanced area of New Testament study.

The purpose of this book is to explore the use of semiotics as a viable approach to biblical intertextuality. The intertextual references to Isaiah in 1 Peter will serve as the test case for an application of the method. A semiotic approach is promising because it offers a solution to the pervasive problem of methodology in intertextual studies. Moreover, the investigation of 1 Peter's use of Isaiah provides a fresh perspective on how Peter utilizes this important source in the construction of his epistle and the communication of his message.


Endorsements:
""The study of semiotics promises an approach to exegesis that focuses on the study of signs, communication theory, and meaning in order to give a cohesive understanding of how the New Testament uses the Old Testament. Defending Hope elucidates a methodology for employing semiotics in exegesis. Having laid out the method, Langford then gives pragmatic demonstration and application of 1 Peter's use of Isaiah to bring hope to God's people in tribulation. Langford's work on semiotics gives us a promising new tool in our arsenal of methodologies for intertextuality studies.""
--Craig Price, Professor of New Testament and Greek, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

""In the maze of discussion about the nature of textuality and meaning, Justin Langford draws from the work of German semiotician Stefan Alkier as a way forward. Langford provides a clear summary of the fields of semiotics and intertextuality as well as a synopsis of Alkier's methodology, particularly as it was influenced by Charles Peirce and Umberto Eco. Alkier's method applied to Peter's use of Isaiah provides fresh insight into the function of those quotations within Peter's argument.""
--Charlie Ray, Associate Dean, Research Doctoral Programs, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary


About the Contributor(s):
Justin Langford is Adjunct Instructor of New Testament at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.