On Character Building

‘When It appeared nearly three decades ago, John Darr’s On Character Building established itself as the definitive statement on the then new intersection of literary characterization and reader response criticism. Its enduring power is attested to by the fact that monographs and dissertations continue to reference this work as a touchstone in the study of NT narratives. Wipf and Stock and Darr are commended for keeping this significant volume accessible to the next generation of students and scholars of the New Testament.’


- Mikeal C. Parsons, Professor and Macon Chair of Religion, Baylor University





‘Nearly all studies of characters and characterization in the canonical gospels that have appeared since the publication of On Character Building are indebted to John Darr’s sophisticated construction of the rhetorical interplay between an ancient text and a culturally literate first-century reader’s initial encounter with that text. Given the ongoing interest in the study of New Testament texts as literature, this volume retains its influential voice on methodological matters pertaining to characterization. This reprint edition will help ensure that Darr’s work continues to receive a deservingly wide readership for years to come.’


- Frank Dicken, Associate Professor of New Testament, Lincoln Christian University (Lincoln, IL)





‘I can count on one hand the number of books that not only changed the way I saw a biblical text, but altered the direction of my own research trajectory. John Darr’s On Character Building was one such book. Darr’s discussion of Lukan characterization and readerly interpretive dynamics strikes that elusive balance between complexity and lucidity. In the rapidly-expanding subdiscipline of literary approaches to New Testament narratives, On Character Building remarkably remains as relevant today as when it was first published. I highly recommend it.’


-Michal Beth Dinkler, Associate Professor of New Testament, Yale Divinity School





On Character Building has an enduring relevance because it develops a nuanced approach to reading and interpreting characters in an ancient narrative. Drawing from literary theory, reader-response criticism, and extra-textual social and historical data, Darr leads us through the construction and functions of characters, the ways texts construct their readers, the importance of sequential reading, and the roles of point of view, the narrator, authoritative voices in the narrative (such as Scripture), the reader’s relationship to the characters, and the cultural conventions assumed in the narrative (kingship and imagery, such as “that fox”). Darr’s readers will not only have a deeper appreciation for Luke-Acts; they will be more competent readers.


- R. Alan Culpepper, Dean and Professor of New Testament Emeritus, McAfee School of Theology,


Mercer University





In a period when narrative approaches to the NT Gospels were developing and becoming influential, John Darr’s On Character Building appeared as one of a few early works to focus on Luke-Acts. The book is significant for its sophisticated yet accessible approach to characterization in general, as well as the numerous insights given into both characters and literary themes in the narrative of Luke-Acts. I am delighted that the volume will remain in print!


- Dr. Joshua L. Mann