Vernon K. Robbins (relvkr@emory.edu)
Publications 1973—2020

2020

• “Voyaging on the Sea of Life: Reflections on the We-Passages in Acts,” Biblical Research 65 (2020): 58–76.

2018

• "Sociorhetorical Interpretation and the New Testament," in Oxford Handbook of New Testament Rhetoric, ed. Mark D. Given (London: Oxford University Press, in press).
• "Kinetic Divine Concepts, the Baptist, and the Enfleshed Logos in the Prologue and Precreation Storyline of the Fourth Gospel," in Seeing the God: Image, Space, Performance, and Vision in the Religion of the Roman Empire, ed. Marlis Arnhold, Harry O. Maier, Jörg Rüpke. Culture, Religion and Politics in the Greco-Roman World (Tübingen: Mohr-Siebeck, 2018), 277-295.

2017

• The Art of Visual Exegesis: Rhetoric, Texts, Images. With Walter S. Melion and Roy R. Jeal. Emory Studies in Early Christianity 19. Atlanta: SBL Press.

2016

• Foundations for Sociorhetorical Exploration: A Rhetoric of Religious Antiquities Reader. With Robert H. von Thaden, Jr. and Bart B. Bruehler. Rhetoric of Religious Antiquity 4. Atlanta: SBL Press.
• “The Historical Method and the New Testament,” in Religion: Social Religion, ed. William B. Parsons (Farmington Hills, MI: Macmillan Reference USA, 2016), 333-360.

2015

• Jesus and Mary Reimagined in Early Christian Literature. With Jonathan M. Potter. Writings from the Greco-Roman World Supplement. Atlanta: SBL Press.
• “Priestly Discourse in Luke and Acts,” in Vernon K. Robbins and Jonathan Potter (eds.), Jesus and Mary Reimagined in Early Christian Literature (Atlanta: SBL Press, 2015) 13-40.
• “From Prophetic Hymns to Death at the Altar: Luke 1–2 and Protevangelium of James,” with Michael K. W. Suh, in Vernon K. Robbins and Jonathan Potter (eds.), Jesus and Mary Reimagined in Early Christian Literature (Atlanta: SBL Press, 2015) 129-177.  
• “Response to L. Gregory Bloomquist, “From the Social Sciences to Rhetography,” in Troy Martin (ed.), Genealogies of New Testament Rhetorical Criticism (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2015) 225-44.

2014

• “Sociorhetorical Interpretation (SRI) and Inductive Bible Study (IBS): Outlines of Mark, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Son’s Prayer in John 17,” The Journal of Inductive Biblical Studies 1/2 (2014) 182-222.  

2013

• Who Do People Say I Am? Rewriting Gospel in Emerging Christianity. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
• “Socio-Rhetorical Criticism,” in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Biblical Interpretation, Volume 2 (New York: Oxford University Press, 2013) 311-18.
• "Questions and Answers in Gospel of Thomas," in Marie-Pierre Bussières (ed.), La litterature des questions et réponses dans l’Antiquité profane et chrétienne: de l’enseignement à l’exégèse (Turnhout: Brepols, 2013) 3-36.

2012

• “Sociorhetorical Interpretation of Miracle Discourse in the Synoptic Gospels," in Duane F. Watson (ed.), Miracle Discourse in the New Testament (Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2012), 17-84.
• "Precreation Discourse and the Nicene Creed: Christianity Finds its Voice in the Roman Empire," Religion and Theology 18.3-4 (2012) 1-17.

2010

• Sea Voyages and Beyond: Emerging Strategies in Socio-Rhetorical Interpretation. Emory Studies in Early Christianity 14. Dorset, UK: Deo Publishing.
• "Socio-Rhetorical Interpretation," in David E. Aune (ed.), The Blackwell Companion to the New Testament (Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010) 192-219.

2009

• The Invention of Christian Discourse. Volume 1. Rhetoric of Religious Antiquity 1. Dorset, UK: Deo Publishing.
• "Comparative Sacred Texts and Interactive Reading: Another Alternative to the ‘World Religions’ Class," with Laurie L. Patton and Gordon D. Newby, Teaching Theology and Religion 12.1 (Jan. 2009) 37-49.

2008

• “Rhetography: A New Way of Seeing the Familiar Text,” in Duane F. Watson and C. Clifton Black (eds.), Words Well Spoken: George Kennedy’s Rhetoric of the New Testament (Studies in Rhetoric and Religion 8; Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2008) 81-106. See pp. 329–64 in Foundations.
• Patterns of Persuasion in the Gospels. With Burton L. Mack. Salem, OR: Wipf & Stock.

2007

• “Conceptual Blending and Early Christian Imagination, in Petri Luomanen, Ilkka Pyysiäinen, and Risto Uro (eds.), Explaining Christian Origins and Early Judaism: Contributions from Cognitive and Social Science (Biblical Interpretation Series 89; Leiden/Boston: Brill, 2007) 161-95. See pp. 329–64 in Foundations.
• "Using Bakhtin's Lexicon Dialogicae to Interpret Canon, Apocalyptic, New Testament, and Toni Morrison," in Roland Boer (ed.), Bakhtin and Genre Theory in Biblical Studies (Semeia Studies 63; Atlanta: SBL, 2007) 187-203.

2006

• “Oral Performance in Q: Epistemology, Political Conflict, and Contextual Register,” in Richard Horsley (ed.), Oral Performance, Popular Tradition, and Hidden Transcript in Q (Semeia Studies 60; Atlanta: SBL, 2006) 109-122.
• “Interfaces of Orality and Literature in the Gospel of Mark,” in Richard A. Horsley, Jonathan A. Draper, John Miles Foley (eds.), Performing the Gospel: Orality, Memory, and Mark (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2006) 125-46.
• “Enthymeme and Picture in the Gospel of Thomas," in Jon Ma. Asgeirsson, April D. DeConick, and Risto Uro (eds.), Thomasine Traditions in Antiquity: The Social and Cultural World of the Gospel of Thomas (Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies 59; Leiden/Boston: Brill, 2006) 175-207.

2005

• “Lukan and Johannine Tradition in the Qur'an: A Story of Auslegungsgeschichte and Wirkungsgeschichte," in Todd Penner and Caroline Vander Stichele (eds.), Moving Beyond New Testament Theology? Essays in Conversation with Heikki Räisänen (Publications of the Finnish Exegetical Society 88; Helsinki: Finnish Exegetical Society and Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2005) 336-68.
• "From Heidelberg to Heidelberg: Rhetorical Interpretation of the Bible at the Seven 'Pepperdine' Conferences from 1992-2002," in Anders Eriksson and T. H. Olbricht (eds.), Rhetoric, Ethics, and Moral Persuasion in Biblical Discourse (New York/London: T & T Clark, 2005) 335-77.
• "The Rhetorical Full-Turn in Biblical Interpretation and Its Relevance for Feminist Hermeneutics." In Her Master's Tools? Feminist and Postcolonial Engagements of Historical-Critical Discourse, Caroline Vander Stichele and Todd Penner, eds. Global Perspectives on Biblical Scholarship 9; Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature and Leiden: Brill, 2005: 109-127.
• "Bodies and Politics in Luke 1-2 and Sirach 44-50: Men, Women, and Boys," Scriptura 90 (2005) 724-838.

2004

• "Beginnings and Developments in Socio-Rhetorical Interpretation" (May 1, 2004: see revised 2010 version).
• "Where is Wuellner's Anti-Hermeneutical Hermeneutic Taking Us? From Schleiermacher to Thistleton and Beyond." In Rhetorics and Hermeneutics: Wilhelm Wuellner and His Influence. James D. Hester and J. David Hester (Amador), eds. Emory Studies in Early Christianity 9; New York/London: T & T Clark International, 2004: 105-125.
• "The Sensory-Aesthetic Texture of the Compassionate Samaritan Parable in Luke 10." In Literary Encounters with the Reign of God. Sharon H. Ringe and H. C. Paul Kim, eds. New York/London: T & T Clark, 2004: 247-264.

2003

• "A Prolegomenon to the Relation of the Qur'an and the Bible." With Gordon D. Newby. In Bible and Qur'an: Essays in Scriptural Intertetextuality. John C. Reeves, ed. Symposium Series 24; Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2003: 23-42.
• "The Legacy of 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 in the Apocalypse of Paul." In Paul and the Corinthians. Trevor J. Burke and J. Keith Elliott, eds. Leiden: Brill, 2003: 327-339.

2002

• "The Intertexture of Apocalyptic Discourse in the Gospel of Mark." In The Intertexture of Apocalyptic Discourse in the New Testament. D. F. Watson, ed. SBL Symposium Series 14. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2002: 11-44.
• "Argumentative Textures in Socio-Rhetorical Interpretation." In Argumentation in Biblical Texts: Essays from the 2000 Lund Conference. A. Eriksson, T. H. Olbricht, and W. Übelacker, eds. Emory Studies in Early Christianity. Harrisburg: Trinity Press International, 2002: 27-65.
• "A Comparison of Mishnah Gittin 1:1-2:2 and James 2:1-13 from a Perspective of Greco-Roman Rhetorical Elaboration." In Jack N. Lightstone, Mishnah and the Social Formation of the Early Rabbinic Guild: A Socio-Rhetorical Approach. Studies in Christianity and Judaism 11. Waterloo: Wilfred Laurier University Press for the Canadian Corporation for Studies in Religion, 2002: 201-216.
• "The Rhetorical Full-Turn in Biblical Interpretation: Reconfiguring Rhetorical-Political Analysis." In Rhetorical Criticism and the Bible: Essays from the 1998 Florence Conference. S. E. Porter and T. H. Olbricht, eds. Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series. Sheffield Academic Press, 2002: 48-60.

2001

• "Why Participate in African Biblical Interpretation?", Mary N. Getui, Tinyiko S. Maluleke, and Justin Ukpong (eds.), Interpreting the New Testament in Africa. Nairobi, Kenya: Acton Publishers, 2001: 275-91.
• "The Socio-Rhetorical Role of Old Testament Scripture in Luke 4-19." In Z Noveho Zakona /From the New Testament: Sbornik k narozeninam Prof. ThDr. Zdenka Sazavy. Hana Tonzarova and Petr Melmuk, eds. Praha: Vydala Cirkev ceskoslovenska husitska, 2001: 81-93.

1999

• "Historical, Rhetorical, Literary, Linguistic, Cultural, and Artistic Intertextuality: A Response." Semeia 80 (1999) 299-303.
• "Rhetorical Ritual: Apocalyptic Discourse in Mark 13." In Vision and Persuasion: Rhetorical Dimensions of Apocalyptic Discourse. G. Carey and L. G. Bloomquist, eds. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 1999: 95-121.
• "The Claims of the Prologues and Greco-Roman Rhetoric: The Prefaces to Luke and Acts in Light of Greco-Roman Rhetorical Strategies." In Jesus and the Heritage of Israel: Luke's Narrative Claim upon Israel's Legacy. D. P. Moessner, ed. Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press International, 1999: 63-83.

1998

• Recruitment, Conquest, and Conflict: Strategies in Judaism, Early Christianity, and the Greco-Roman World. With Peder Borgen and David B. Gowler. Emory Studies in Early Christianity 6. Trinity Press International.
• "Enthymemic Texture in the Gospel of Thomas." In 1998 Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1998: 343-366.
• "From Enthymeme to Theology in Luke 11:1-13." In Literary Studies in Luke-Acts: A Collection of Essays in Honor of Joseph B. Tyson. R. P. Thompson and T. E. Phillips, eds. Macon, GA: Mercer Univ. Press, 1998: 191-214.
• "Socio-Rhetorical Hermeneutics and Commentary." In EPI TO AYTO. Essays in honour of Petr Pokorny. J. Mrazek, R. Dvorakova, and S. Brodsky, eds. Praha-Trebenice, Czech Republic: Mlyn, 1998: 284-297.
• "Response" and "Dialogue between Vernon Robbins and Reviews," Journal for the Study of the New Testament 70 (1998) 101-115. A response to reviews in "Vernon Robbins's Socio-Rhetorical Criticism: A Review," JSNT 70 (1998) 69-100.

1997

• "Rhetorical Composition and Sources in the Gospel of Thomas." In 1997 Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1997: 86-114.
• "The Present and Future of Rhetorical Analysis." In The Rhetorical Analysis of Scripture: Essays from the 1995 London Conference. S. E. Porter and T. H. Olbricht, eds. Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series 146. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1997: 24-52.

1996

• Exploring the Texture of Texts: A Quide to Socio-Rhetorical Interpretation.
• The Tapestry of Early Christian Discourse: Rhetoric, Society and Ideology.
• "Making Christian Culture in the Epistle of James." Scriptura 59 (1996) 341-351.
• "The Dialectical Nature of Early Christian Discourse." Scriptura 59 (1996) 353-362.
• "Narrative in Ancient Rhetoric and Rhetoric in Ancient Narrative." In 1996 Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1996: 368-384.

1995

• "Foreword." In John G. Cook, The Structure and Persuasive Power of Mark: A Linguistic Approach. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1995: xiii-xvii.
• "Social-Scientific Criticism and Literary Studies: Prospects for Cooperation in Biblical Interpretation", in Modelling Early Christianity: Social-Scientific Studies of the New Testament in Its Context. P. F. Esler, ed. London: Routledge, 1995: 274-289.
• "Divine Dialogue and the Lord's Prayer: Socio-Rhetorical Interpretation of Sacred Texts." Dialogue 28 (1995) 117-146.

1994

• New Boundaries in Old Territory: Form and Social Rhetoric in Mark. Emory Studies in Early Christianity 3. New York: Peter Lang Publishing.
• "Socio-Rhetorical Criticism: Mary, Elizabeth, and the Magnificat as a Test Case." In The New Literary Criticism and the New Testament. E. S. Malbon and E. V. McKnight, eds. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1994: 164-209. See pp. 29–74 in Foundations.
• "The Ritual of Reading and Reading a Text as a Ritual: Observations on Mieke Bal's Death & Dissymmetry." In In Good Company: Essays in Honor of Robert Detweiler. D. Jasper and M. Ledbetter, eds. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1994: 385-401.
• "Oral, Rhetorical, and Literary Cultures: A Response." Semeia 65 (1994) 75-91.
• "Interpreting Miracle Culture and Parable Culture in Mark 4-11." Svensk Exegetisk Årsbok 59 (1994) 59-81.

1993

• The Rhetoric of Pronouncement. Semeia 64. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature.
• "Rhetoric and Culture: Exploring Types of Cultural Rhetoric in a Text." In Rhetoric and the New Testament: Essays from the 1992 Heidelberg Conference. S. E. Porter and T. H. Olbricht, eds. Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1993: 443-463.
• "Progymnastic Rhetorical Composition and Pre-Gospel Traditions: A New Approach." In The Synoptic Gospels: Source Criticism and the New Literary Criticism. C. Focant, ed. BETL 110. Leuven: Leuven Univ. Press, 1993: 111-147.
• "Biblical Sources for Pronouncement Stories in the Gospels." (With Miriam Dean-Otting). Semeia 64 (1993) 95-115.
• "Paradigms in Homer, Pindar, the Tragedians, and the New Testament." (With Øivind Andersen). Semeia 64 (1993) 3-31.
• "Introduction: Using Rhetorical Discussions of the Chreia to Interpret Pronouncement Stories." Semeia 64 (1993) vii-xvii.

1992

• Jesus the Teacher: A Socio-Rhetorical Interpretation of Mark. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
• "A Socio-Rhetorical Look at the Work of John Knox on Luke-Acts." In Cadbury, Knox, and Talbert: American Contributions to the Study of Acts. M. C. Parsons and J. B. Tyson, eds. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1992: 91-105.
• "The Reversed Contextualization of Psalm 22 in the Markan Crucifixion: A Socio-Rhetorical Analysis." In The Four Gospels 1992. Festschrift Frans Neirynck, Vol. 2. F. van Segbroeck, C. M. Tuckett, G. Van Belle, J. Verheyden, eds. BETL 100. Leuven: Leuven Univ. Press, 1992: 1161-1183.
• "Apophthegm." In The Anchor Bible Dictionary. D. N. Freedman, ed. New York: Doubleday, 1992: 1:307-309.
• "Form Criticism: New Testament." In The Anchor Bible Dictionary. D. N. Freedman, ed. New York: Doubleday, 1992: 2:841-844.
• "Using a Socio-Rhetorical Poetics to Develop a Unified Method: The Woman who Anointed Jesus as a Test Case." In 1992 SBL Seminar Papers. E. H. Lovering, Jr. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1992: 302-319.
• "A Male Reads a Feminist Reading: The Dialogical Nature of Pippin's Power." Semeia 59 (1992) 211-217.

1991

• "The Social Location of the Implied Author of Luke-Acts." In The Social World of Luke-Acts: Models for Interpretation. J. H. Neyrey, ed. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1991: 305-332.
• "Writing as a Rhetorical Act in Plutarch and the Gospels." In Persuasive Artistry: Studies in New Testament Rhetoric in Honor of George A. Kennedy. D. F. Watson, ed. Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1991: 157-186.
• "Luke-Acts: A Mixed Population Seeks a Home in the Roman Empire." In Images of Empire. L. Alexander. Sheffield: JSOT Press, 1991: 202-221.
• "From New Criticism and the New Hermeneutic to Poststructuralism: Twentieth Century Hermeneutics." In Reading The Text: Biblical Criticism and Literary Theory. S. Prickett, ed. (With Robert Detweiler). Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1991: 225-280.
• "Text and Context in Recent Studies of the Gospel of Mark." Religious Studies Review 17 (1991) 16-23.
• "Beelzebul Controversy in Mark and Luke: Rhetorical and Social Analysis." Forum 7.3-4 (1991) 261-277.

1990

• "A Socio-Rhetorical Response: Contexts of Interaction and Forms of Exhortation." Semeia 50 (1990) 261-271.
• "Interpreting the Gospel of Mark as a Jewish Document in a Graeco-Roman World." In New Perspectives on Ancient Judaism. P. V. M. Flesher, ed. Lanham, New York: Univ. Press of America, 1990: 47-72.

1989

• Ancient Quotes and Anecdotes: From Crib to Crypt. Foundations & Facets. Sonoma, CA: Polebridge Press.

1988

• "Pronouncement Stories from a Rhetorical Perspective." Forum 4.2 (1988) 3-32.
• "The Crucifixion and the Speech of Jesus." Forum 4.1 (1988) 33-46.
• "The Chreia." In Greco-Roman Literature and the New Testament. D. E. Aune, ed. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1988: 1-23.

1987

• "Rhetorical argument about lamps and light in early Christian gospels." In Context, Festskrift til Peder Johan Borgen. P. W. Böckman and R. E. Kristiansen, eds. Relieff 24 (Universitetet i Trondheim: Tapir, 1987): 177-195.
• "The Woman who Touched Jesus' Garment: Socio-Rhetorical Analysis of the Synoptic Accounts." New Testament Studies 33 (1987) 502-515.

1985

• "Pragmatic Relations as a Criterion for Authentic Sayings." Forum 1.3 (1985) 35-63.
• "Picking Up the Fragments: From Crossan`s Analysis to Rhetorical Analysis." Forum 1.2 (1985) 31-64.

1984

• "A Rhetorical Typology for Classifying and Analyzing Pronouncement Stories." In Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers. K. H. Richards, ed. Chico, Calif.: Scholars Press, 1984: 93-122.

1983

• "Pronouncement Stories and Jesus' Blessing of the Children: A Rhetorical Approach." Semeia 29 (1983) 43-74. [Originally published in: Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers. K. H. Richards, ed. Chico, Calif.: Scholars Press, 1982: 407-430. Responses added in republication.]

1982

• "Mark I.14-20: An Interpretation at the Intersection of Jewish and Graeco-Roman Traditions." New Testament Studies 28 (1982) 220-236.
• "Pronouncement Stories and Jesus' Blessing of the Children: A Rhetorical Approach." In Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers. K. H. Richards, ed. Chico, Calif.: Scholars Press, 1982: 407-430.

1981

• "Laudation Stories in the Gospel of Luke and Plutarch's Alexander." In Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers. K. H. Richards, ed. Chico, Calif.: Scholars Press, 1981: 293-308.
• "Classifying Pronouncement Stories in Plutarch's Parallel Lives." Semeia 20 (1981) 29-52.
• "Summons and Outline in Mark: The Three-Step Progression." Novum Testamentum 23 (1981) 97-114.

1980

• "Rhetoric and Biblical Criticism." (With John H. Patton) Quarterly Journal of Speech 66 (1980) 327-337.
• "Mark as Genre." In Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers. P. J. Achtemeier, ed. Chico, Calif.: Scholars Press, 1980: 371-399.

1979

• "Prefaces in Greco-Roman Biography and Luke-Acts." Perspectives in Religious Studies 6 (1979) 94-108. [Originally published in: Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers. P. J. Achtemeier, ed. Missoula, Mont.: Scholars Press, 1978: 2:193-207.]

1978

• "Structuralism in Biblical Interpretation and Theology." The Thomist 42 (1978) 349-372.
• "Pronouncement Stories in Plutarch's Lives of Alexander and Julius Caesar." In Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers. P. J. Achtemeier, ed. Missoula, Mont.: Scholars Press, 1978: 2:21-38.
• "By Land and By Sea: The We-Passages and Ancient Sea Voyages." In Perspectives on Luke-Acts. C. H. Talbert, ed. Perspectives in Religious Studies, Special Studies Series, No. 5. Macon, Ga: Mercer Univ. Press and Edinburgh: T.& T. Clark, 1978: 215-242. [This article combines "The We-Passages in Acts and Ancient Sea Voyages" (1975) with "By Land and By Sea: A Study in Acts 13-28." In Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers. Missoula, Mont.: Scholars Press, 1976: 381-396.]

1976

• "Last Meal—Preparation, Betrayal, and Absence—Mark 14:12-25." In The Passion in Mark. W. Kelber, ed. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1976: 21-40.

1975

• "The We-Passages in Acts and Ancient Sea Voyages." Biblical Research 20 (1975) 5-18.

1973

• "Dynameis and Semeia in Mark." Biblical Research 18 (1973) 1-16.
• "The Healing of Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) in the Markan Theology." Journal of Biblical Literature 92 (1973) 224-243.