Faith living understanding: towards a theatrical model for oral theologizing

PhD thesis


Stringer, S. 2024. Faith living understanding: towards a theatrical model for oral theologizing. PhD thesis Middlesex University / Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (OCMS) School of Law
TypePhD thesis
TitleFaith living understanding: towards a theatrical model for oral theologizing
AuthorsStringer, S.
Abstract

Vanhoozer’s theatrical model provides a framework for theology that moves beyond intellectual abstraction to embodied performance in community informed by church tradition and bound by the canon of Scripture. The question I raise is to what extent Vanhoozer’s model might provide a framework for oral theologizing. In order to answer this question, I explore Vanhoozer’s model through the lens of orality studies. Using a tripartite structure of orality - dramatic epistemology, embodied rationality, and communal hermeneutics - I explore a framework for an oral theology by building upon Vanhoozer’s model. I also explore real-life implications for the model using vignettes from my own work. In doing so I show how the communal nature of oral theology might enrich Vanhoozer’s model. Furthermore, oral theology moves beyond Vanhoozer’s understanding of doctrine to suggest that oral theology operates as canonical habitus. Proverbs, songs, story, drama, and dance become expressions of the canonical habitus, or oral doctrine. Beyond illustrating that Vanhoozer’s model is an adequate framework for oral theology, I suggest that oral theology might be considered the proper domain for Vanhoozer’s theodramatic theology in that it moves beyond the written word and the stage to embodied action in the real world. Oral theology is theodramatic in that it is embodied theology in community, and oral theodramatic theology provides a middle way between the fixedness of the biblical text and the perceived ephemerality of orality. Thus, oral theology is faith living understanding – faithfully, contextually, creatively, and communally.

Sustainable Development Goals16 Peace, justice and strong institutions
Middlesex University ThemeCreativity, Culture & Enterprise
Department nameSchool of Law
Business and Law
Institution nameMiddlesex University / Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (OCMS)
Collaborating institutionOxford Centre for Mission Studies (OCMS)
PublisherMiddlesex University Research Repository
Publication dates
Online23 Apr 2024
Publication process dates
Accepted22 Mar 2024
Deposited23 Apr 2024
Output statusPublished
Accepted author manuscript
File Access Level
Open
LanguageEnglish
Permalink -

https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/12v9w4

Download files


Accepted author manuscript
SBStringer thesis.pdf
File access level: Open

  • 39
    total views
  • 84
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 5
    downloads this month

Export as