Abstract:
The focus of this article is the presuppositions concerning the interpretation of the New Testament with reference to historical Jesus studies. Regarding the rhetorics of a text, communication conventions are discussed and applied to the concept "Kingdom of God". The concepts "situation" and "strategy" are investigated.
"Situation" refers to the circumstances and aims of a writing. "Strategy" refers to
the writer's persuasive techniques to bring the audience to appropriate action.
The following social institutions of the audience should be taken into consideration:
kinship, economy, politics and religion. Social-scientifIC criticism presupposes
that both the social and historical disciplines are necessary for an adequate
interpretation of ancient texts and their social contexts. The socio-historical
approach investigates the intended meaning of texts, their Wirkungsgeschichte
and relevance for the present-day reader.
