Reception of Doctrine: An Appropriation of Hans Robert Jauss’ Reception Aesthetics and Literary Hermeneutics

The category of reception has undergone a retrieval in theology since Vatican II. The work of Hans Robert Jauss has been little used in that retrieval. This dissertation proposes Jauss’ reception aesthetics and literary hermeneutics as helpful for understanding certain issues related to the nature of doctrine and its reception. Jauss’ theory focuses on the creative role of the reader in the interpretation of a literary work and highlights the importance of readerly reception in the history of literary tradition. With a focus on the creative sensus fidei of the receiver of doctrine, the reception of doctrine is presented as analogous to the reception of a work of art. Ormond Rush, born in Townsville, Australia in 1950, was ordained a priest in 1975. After 13 years in parish ministry, he gained a licentiate and doctorate in fundamental theology from the Gregorian University, Rome, with a year of post-graduate studies in Boston. He is lecturing in the Brisbane College of Theology in Australia and is a member of the academic staff at Banyo Seminary, Brisbane.