Competing for Honor ─ A Social-scientific Reading of Daniel 1-6

Though the tales in the biblical chapters have been studied extensively from the perspectives of historical and literary criticism, Kirkpatrick (religion, Anderson U., Indiana) notes that they have not enjoyed analysis from social science. He applies methods and models of social science, primarily the cultural model of honor developed by anthropologists of the circum-Mediterranean, and corroborates them with ancient rhetorical sources, to offer a new reading that adds to the layers of exegesis produced by other methods. An analysis of each tale reveals a comparison that is sustained throughout, and pits the Judean tradition in competition with a dominant foreign tradition. Annotation c2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Shane Kirkpatrick received his Ph.D. in Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity from the University of Notre Dame in 2003. Presently, he serves as Assistant Professor of Religion at Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. His publications include an article on aggressive questions in the book of Judges, and his current work involves pedagogy in theology and religion.