In this volume, Yan Ma introduces Rhetorical Structure Theory (RST) as an innovative method for New Testament study. Originally developed as a functional linguistic theory to describe the text structure of written discourse, RST is an advantageous analytical tool for the structural and communicative relationships within a text, which can be applied to a wide range of text types and different languages. This book aims to introduce this new method to New Testament study by integrating the features of New Testament Greek.
By conducting the rhetorical-relational analyses on selected New Testament passages, including Mt. 19:27- 20:16, Jn. 1:1-18, Acts 9:1-19a; 22:6-16; 26:12-18, Rom. 11:25-32, Heb. 11:1-40, Jas. 2:14-26, and Rev. 4:1-5:14, Ma demonstrates how RST can be applied to interpret New Testament texts. This new method enhances New Testament interpretation by highlighting the rhetorical structure that the author intends to organize and present the text, offering fresh insights into the key message that the author aims to convey to the reader. Designed for biblical scholars, Seminary students, and pastors, this book provides readers with a methodological framework for examining the various linguistic features of the biblical text in terms of both the lexical and grammatical elements, which can be a valuable tool for both scholarly research and sermon preparation.
