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Human Hands and Feet and Their Functions As Media of Nonverbal Communication in the Narratives of Acts 3:1-11 and 9:1-19A

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Human Hands and Feet and Their Functions As Media of Nonverbal Communication in the Narratives of Acts 3:1-11 and 9:1-19A Avondale College ResearchOnline@Avondale Theses PhD Theses 12-2016 Human Hands and Feet and Their Functions as Media of Nonverbal Communication in the Narratives of Acts 3:1-11 and 9:1-19a Carole Ferch-Johnson Avondale College of Higher Education, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://research.avondale.edu.au/theses_phd Part of the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Ferch-Johnson, C. (2016). Human hands and feet and their functions as media of nonverbal communication in the narratives of Acts 3:1-11 and 9:1-19a (Doctoral dissertation, Avondale College of Higher Education, Cooranbong, Australia). Retrieved from https://research.avondale.edu.au/theses_phd/ 8/ This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses at ResearchOnline@Avondale. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses PhD by an authorized administrator of ResearchOnline@Avondale. For more information, please contact [email protected]. HUMAN HANDS AND FEET AND THEIR FUNCTIONS AS MEDIA OF NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION IN THE NARRATIVES OF ACTS 3:1-11 AND 9:1-19a Carole Ferch-Johnson B.A. (German) Pacific Union College M.A. (Religion) Andrews University Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy Principal Supervisor: Dr Steven Thompson PhD Associate Supervisor: Dr Carolyn Rickett DArts Avondale College of Higher Education August, 2016 CERTIFICATION Statement of Original Authorship I declare that the work contained in this thesis has not been submitted previously for a degree or diploma at this institution, an Australian or overseas university or any other institution of higher education. To the best of my knowledge and belief, this thesis contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made. Signed _____________________________ Date September 7, 2016 Statement of Copyright I grant to Avondale College the rights to archive in the College library, and to make available my thesis in whole or in part for study now and in the future. I retain all proprietary rights. I also retain the right to use in future works all or part of this thesis. Signed _________________________________ Date September 7, 2016 ii ABSTRACT Shortly after his resurrection Jesus appeared to his disciples and showed them his hands and his feet (Luke 24:39-40). This was not only evidence of his resurrection but a means of focussing on two human body parts essential to his mission. In relationship to this, the current thesis presupposes a selective representation of Christ on earth by the early church through human hands and feet. These then, are instruments of mission designated by him as they engage in activities of interpersonal communication. This enquiry examines how literal human hands and feet operate as media of nonverbal communication in two of the narratives of Acts. The investigation has a threefold aim: (1) to evaluate the effectiveness of human hands and feet with their functions as media of nonverbal communication in the two narratives of Acts and to answer the question—was meaning transmitted; (2) to ascertain whether the nonverbal communication described in the two Acts narratives contributed effectively to the mission of the ascended Jesus through his followers on earth; and (3) to create a bridge between current scholarly comment on human hands and feet with their functions and the outcomes apparent from their use as media of nonverbal communication in the two narratives under scrutiny. The investigation begins with the isolation and examination of the words for hands and feet in the Greek text of the two narratives as well as the words for their functions. This search then extends to include the entire book of Acts. Then the same words are explored in the Gospel of Luke. In order to discover possible Lucan sources the surviving Greek works of Second Temple Judaism as well as four authors from Greek literature are added. These include the classical dramatist Aeschylus and the Hellenistic poet Aratus who are quoted by iii iv Luke in Acts. Because of the prominence of healings, two medical authors, Hippocrates and Soranus, are also selected. To ensure a credible reference from the field of relational communication the publications of Julia T. Wood are chosen as an authoritative source. The findings are: hands, feet and their functions in the two narratives of Acts communicate meaning; Jesus successfully communicated both mission and method to his disciples as they exercised their hands and feet to communicate as he did; Luke is most specific of all the authors explored in his detailed use of hands and feet as media of nonverbal communication particularly as it relates to the mission of Jesus. Some practical implications for the church of today are also included. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Firstly, I would like to express particular appreciation and thanks to my principal supervisor Dr. Steven Thompson whose encouragement and enthusiasm have been a constant source of inspiration. This, together with his evident expertise, has contributed largely to my enjoyment of the process of writing this thesis. Secondly, I would like to thank my associate supervisor Dr Carolyn Rickett whose support and skill in written communication have been invaluable in helping me work to a better standard. Thirdly, my thanks go to Paul Bogacs for his wisdom, insight and willingness to advise me in the field of relational communication. I express my gratitude to Avondale College of Higher Education who provided me with the opportunity to complete this thesis. I would especially like to thank library staff members Michelle Down and Lynette Fraser for their continual assistance as well as Margaret House, Faculty Officer, Arts, Nursing and Theology for her formatting expertise in helping me prepare the thesis for submission. I also thank Dr Heidi Fedorow for reading the thesis through with a critical eye and for suggesting some improvements. I express special thanks to my family. I am grateful to my mother, my two sons, Richard and Andrew and two daughters-in-law Mary and Noela for their consistent interest in my progress and encouragement to achieve my goal. I thank my step-family and many friends whose constant support and interest have helped keep me focused on the task. Above all, my thanks go to God whose sustaining power and matchless wisdom have been a ready aid in this undertaking. I have done it to His glory. v DEDICATION To my beloved husband Bill for his self-sacrificing love, and tireless effort on my behalf. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS CERTIFICATION .......................................................................................................................... II ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... III ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................................. V DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................... VI TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................. VII INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................1 The Field of Communication ............................................................................................................................. 1 The Task .......................................................................................................................................................... 2 METHODOLOGY ...........................................................................................................................5 Resources ......................................................................................................................................................... 6 Delimitations .................................................................................................................................................... 7 LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................................8 Human Body Parts in Scripture ......................................................................................................................... 8 Some Models and Methodologies in Current Use .............................................................................................. 8 A Physiognomy Paradigm ............................................................................................................................ 8 A Sociological Methodology ...................................................................................................................... 10 A Socio-rhetorical Methodology ................................................................................................................. 12 A Socio-historical Methodology ................................................................................................................. 13 Narrative Criticism ..................................................................................................................................... 14 Communication Methodology in Old Testament Studies ............................................................................. 16 Communication Methodology in Greco-Roman Studies .............................................................................
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