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" The dream passages of Matthew 1--2: A tradition, form, and theological investigation "
W. J. Subash
D. L. Bock
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Latin Dissertation
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English
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| Record Number
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54973
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| Doc. No
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TL24927
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| Call number
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3376143
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| Main Entry
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W. J. Subash
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| Title & Author
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The dream passages of Matthew 1--2: A tradition, form, and theological investigation\ W. J. Subash
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| College
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Dallas Theological Seminary
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| Date
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2009
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| Degree
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Ph.D.
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2009
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| Page No
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240
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| Abstract
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This dissertation undertakes a study on the five dream passages of Matt 1:18-2:23. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that Matthew employs dream narratives to defend allegations concerning Jesus' birth and to provide etiological reasons both for why Jesus went to Egypt and how Jesus happened to live in Nazareth. To establish this thesis, I undertake a diachronic survey of dream records in the Ancient Near Eastern, Egyptian, Jewish, Greco-Roman, and Second Temple writings. This survey reveals that dream narratives fall under two major categories: message dreams and symbolic dreams. Typically, message dreams have three components: (1) setting, (2) dream proper, and (3) response of the dreamer. In the same way, all symbolic dreams have two components: (1) dream and (2) dream interpretation. While dream narratives follow the form of each category in most cases, each dream carries a distinct narrative function according to the objectives of the one who uses it. Typically, symbolic dreams appear in epic-like literature. They predict the conclusion of a story, build plots, and introduce transition to narrative scenes. On the other hand, the message dreams appear in narratives such as historical and religious writings. They are used in various narrative contexts particularly for existential purposes, e.g., for propaganda, for rhetorical persuasion, to legitimize certain decisions or accession to thrones, and to correct the perceptions of the reader or audience. A form study of the five dream accounts of Matt 1:18-2:23 reveals that they fall under the message dream category. With the help of the rhetorical critical tools, an investigation of the functions of these dreams reveals that each dream has at least one narrative function. In other words, Matthew does not merely record the dream experiences of the individuals, but he uses dreams to achieve his narrative objective.
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Philosophy, religion and theology; Dream passages; Theological; Gospel of Matthew; Dream passages of Matthew 1-2; Message dreams; Biblical studies; 0321:Biblical studies
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D. L. Bock
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Dallas Theological Seminary
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