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Faith vs. Fear in Matthew's Gospel
Vinko Mamić
orcid.org/0000-0002-6733-5732
; Papinsko Sveučilište Gregorijana - Papisinki institut za duhovnost "Teresianum
Sažetak
This paper examines three passages of Matthew’s Gospel, which give insight
into the author’s understanding of the relationship between faith and fear: 8:23-27,
14:22-33 and 28:1-10. The study is based on reader-response criticism, and focuses
on the rhetorical finality of the texts. A simple etymological analysis of the nouns
“faith” and “fear” in both Greek and Hebrew shows that these words are in basic
contradiction: while the former stands for terms that indicate something “reliable”
and “steady”; the latter derives from expressions denoting “trembling” and “escape”. In
the three pericopes, the manifestations of the implied reader’s faith and fear assume
the attitudes of their etymological settings. Although Matthew’s implied reader moves
between faith and little faith, he or she never becomes an unbeliever. Likewise, when
little faith prevails, the implied reader’s fear increases, but that fear never permanently
separates the disciple from his Master. Finally, this study shows that the three accounts
are shaped in such a way as to facilitate the full identification of the actual reader
with the implied reader. The ultimate rhetorical purpose of this narrative strategy is to
awaken the actual reader’s faith to the presence of the Risen Lord. Such faith opposes
his or her fear and the temptation to escape from hostile life-realities, while assuring a
steadfastness in following Jesus Christ.
Ključne riječi
faith; little faith; fear; implied reader
Hrčak ID:
266204
URI
Datum izdavanja:
2.2.2014.
Posjeta: 376 *