Dramaturgicaliscious

As I continue to prepare for my first writing assignment in the area of biblical interpretation – bringing the monastic practice of lectio divina into conversation with the hermeneutical theory of Hans-Georg Gadamer – I've discovered a new term: dramaturgy (which comes from theater). While a slippery word to define, dramaturgy is the active consideration of how the elements of a play work together in order to facilitate a meaningful experience for all involved. I love this word and this idea of being mindful of the compositional elements of a whole experiential movement or flow of events toward meaning because this captures some of what a good preacher does when orchestrating worship. (And, I think this care or concern for the composition of the whole is what is lost often in churches that are struggling.) 

As I was reading Turner and Behrndt's Dramaturgy and Performance, I realized that the hermeneutical task is too narrowly defined if we think of it only as the dialectic between interpreter and text. The bible is a collection of texts; but those texts were written to be read, and not just read by an individual for personal edification, but they were intended to be read-in-community, and, even more so, interpreted-in-community. The bible is but one element in the composition of worship and the hermeneutical task is not just about the meaning of the text but how the text informs and is informed by the other elements of the worship composition.

While the bible is a key element of the composition of worship, tradition may be the most 'formative,' in that the structure of the liturgy places the location of the creative elements, and, in a way, provides for creative innovation within those elements: call to worship, prayer, sermon, etc.

Dramaturgy may be a bit far afield from lectio divina and biblical interpretation, but I find it very fascinating to think about, since it captures the dynamism of worship and it informs the hermeneutical task as it relates to serving the church. 

Comments

[Cathy Turner]

Not sure if my previous comment was posted - if not, this is what it said:

Synne and I enjoyed reading this very much. It's an intriguing, unusual and completely persuasive application of some of the ideas mentioned in our book. Thank you.

One small correction - neither of us teach at Exeter, but at the University of Winchester (though I do have links with the Drama department at Exeter).

Best, Cathy