In Defence of the Other: Deconstruction and the Bible

Abstract

The article sketches the context and character of deconstruction and, at a time when deconstructionist perspectives are showing themselves surprisingly persistent in the humanities, urges that biblical criticism engage the claims of deconstruction before dismissing them - and this with a view to entering into a more vigorous and enriching conversation with the humanities. The article concludes by viewing aspects of the Lukan Infancy Narrative through the lens of deconstruction, showing that even here “signification overruns nomination without return”. To that extent, God appears in Luke 1–2 as one who stands up in defence of the other.