The Bible and Hypertext
After reading an article by Kirsten Abbott called “Wrestling texts: hypertext and biblical studies”, it got me thinking about the relation between the Bible and hypertext. Abbott sets out to ‘encourage an attitude that sees hypertextual media as providing existing opportunities for biblical studies’, and I believe that she achieved her goal. This, however, got me thinking more about the opportunities that hypertext can provide for biblical studies. It makes sense though if the Bible is a big hypertext then it make sense to use hypertext to provide existing opportunities and may be more.
I am currently undergoing a task of creating a hypertext for an introduction to the Book of Ruth aiming at first year students. Although its not finish, the current product has arouse some questions that in my head I tend to think about every now and then. One of the questions is about authority, who holds the authority? When I read a text and try to interpret that particular text, does the text (Bible) still holds the authority or have I taken that authority from the text? In my opinion, in providing my own interpretation of a text will give me the authority. On the other hand, if I provide a variety of interpretations I’m handing over the authority to the reader. Then the question of where is the authority of the text is asked. What does happen to the authority of the text? Can the hypertextual media provide opportunities for biblical studies that can let the text holds the authority?
I think that our task as biblical scholars is to provide possibilities of meanings to a particular text. In this way we give the Bible the authority, not our interpretations, not the readers’ interpretations but the text (or Bible). I can’t help but think of Abbott’s project on Genesis 32:22-32, the story of Jacob wrestling a mysterious assailant at the Jabbok. In her project, she provided a couple of possibilities of meaning to the question of ‘who is the man?’ (referring to the person who wrestle with Jacob). As your reading her project, it feels as if the text still holds the authority. This can also be done with a printed book, but the question that rose from here is; why is it different when reading a commentary and reading Abbott’s project? Is it because of the two different cultures (print and digital cultures)? May be!!! But the question still stand, can the hypertextual media provide opportunities for biblical studies that can let the text hold the authority?
I am currently undergoing a task of creating a hypertext for an introduction to the Book of Ruth aiming at first year students. Although its not finish, the current product has arouse some questions that in my head I tend to think about every now and then. One of the questions is about authority, who holds the authority? When I read a text and try to interpret that particular text, does the text (Bible) still holds the authority or have I taken that authority from the text? In my opinion, in providing my own interpretation of a text will give me the authority. On the other hand, if I provide a variety of interpretations I’m handing over the authority to the reader. Then the question of where is the authority of the text is asked. What does happen to the authority of the text? Can the hypertextual media provide opportunities for biblical studies that can let the text holds the authority?
I think that our task as biblical scholars is to provide possibilities of meanings to a particular text. In this way we give the Bible the authority, not our interpretations, not the readers’ interpretations but the text (or Bible). I can’t help but think of Abbott’s project on Genesis 32:22-32, the story of Jacob wrestling a mysterious assailant at the Jabbok. In her project, she provided a couple of possibilities of meaning to the question of ‘who is the man?’ (referring to the person who wrestle with Jacob). As your reading her project, it feels as if the text still holds the authority. This can also be done with a printed book, but the question that rose from here is; why is it different when reading a commentary and reading Abbott’s project? Is it because of the two different cultures (print and digital cultures)? May be!!! But the question still stand, can the hypertextual media provide opportunities for biblical studies that can let the text hold the authority?
posted by sea at 2:29 PM
2 Comments:
I read Kirsten's article too and promptly looked up her "Jabbok" web site. After hours of struggling with "putting up" my own hypertext project up (first page), I am slowly beginning to understand the concept/challenge and work involved.
Just preparing the hypertext - first draft - very difficult and for amateurs like me learning new ways to write on screen is a whole dramatic change for me.
Just the simple truth that your reader may not want to follow your particular path is in itself very very uncomfortable. This project is definitely taking me out of my comfort zone.
I wrote up what I wanted to put on screen and even I got bored after a couple of seconds so looks like I have to get more focused.
I was going to ask someone to assit and help me but decided I wanted to do this myself so I can learn.
I am following the "How to create Nvu hypertext" from internet. It is very helpful.
I have to agree with Tim if it is planned well on paper - that is a real help.
I don't think there will be whistles and bells on my project.
Te atapo
I also looked at Kirstens site. It is impressive but I am not sure that I would use a hypertext like that for research and information.
I tend to key in what I need and print out what is a regular article/essay. When I go to site that jump about with Links all over the place they tend to become scanner type things for me and I quickly lose interest - forwards and back and again and again dont do it for old chicks like me!
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