In The Massacre of the Innocents: Studies in the Cultural Afterlife of a Gospel Scene, Warren Carter examines some fifty instances of the interpretation of the Matthean âMassacre of the Innocentsâ (Matt 2:16-18). He emphasizes the agency of interpreters, who in their particular contexts and media, âthink withâ the shocking Matthean scene to address the often-tragic circumstances of their audiences. He argues throughout that the structure of the Gospel scene facilitates this âthinking with.â The scene is structured as a triad of power relations with a tyrant (Herod), victims (infants and parents), and violent means of tyranny (the massacre). Interpreters use this triad of power relations to identify tyrant/s, victims, and means of tyranny in their own situations. Carter illustrates the use of this triad of power relations across two millennia, in numerous socio-political contexts, and media as diverse as sermons, images, poems and hymns, dramas and festivals, films, novels, Christmas carols, and Childrenâs Bibles.
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