[B-Greek] Vantage Point - conditional Jn 11:12
Elizabeth Kline
kline_dekooning at earthlink.net
Wed Sep 20 13:15:51 EDT 2006
JOHN 11:11 TAUTA EIPEN, KAI META TOUTO LEGEI AUTOIS: LAZAROS hO FILOS
hHMWN KEKOIMHTAI: ALLA POREUOMAI hINA EXUPNISW AUTON. 12 EIPAN OUN
hOI MAQHTAI AUTWi: KURIE, EI KEKOIMHTAI SWQHSETAI.
In the disciples response to Jesus KURIE, EI KEKOIMHTAI SWQHSETAI
what is the temporal vantage point?
EI KEKOIMHTAI - if he has fallen asleep, undergone a change of state
from wakefulness to sleep and is currently in the state of sleeping.
The change of state is view as in the past but the current state is
viewed as present.
SWQHSETAI future
The vantage point of hOI MAQHTAI is after he has fallen asleep and
before SWQHSETAI.
The fact that LAZAROS is dead and not in a state of sleep is
irrelevant to the question of temporal vantage point. The vantage
point is a temporal framework imposed by hOI MAQHTAI.
My question. Why do we need a special set of rules for conditionals?
This really is a question. It seems self evident to some that
conditionals are a special case. I don't understand this. If the
vantage point is understood as a temporal framework imposed by the
speaker with no necessary connection to reality or unreality then I
don't see why conditional statements require a different treatment
from historical narative.
Elizabeth Kline
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