Biblical Poetics before Humanism and Reformation

Biblical Poetics before Humanism and Reformation by Christopher Ocker, published by Cambridge University Press on October 30, 2008, is a scholarly examination of biblical interpretation during the late Middle Ages. This 284-page work explores how interpreters developed a biblical poetics akin to that later promoted by Protestant reformers in the sixteenth century, influenced by the incorporation of humanist rhetoric into Bible reading.

Readers will find a comparative analysis that draws from both unpublished commentaries and well-known texts by figures such as Nicholas of Lyra, John Wyclif, and Erasmus. The book delves into the intersections of religion, biblical studies, and literary criticism, offering insights into how these elements shaped the understanding of the New Testament during this pivotal historical period. Ocker’s study contributes to the discourse on semiotics and theory within the context of biblical interpretation.