Paul and Ancient Rhetoric
Theory and Practice in the Hellenistic Context

In this volume, major international scholars examine ancient rhetoric's role in understanding Paul and his writings within his Hellenistic context.

Stanley E. Porter (Edited by), Bryan R. Dyer (Edited by)

9781107073791, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 24 February 2016

346 pages, 1 table
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.2 cm, 0.63 kg

The Apostle Paul lived and breathed in a Hellenistic culture that placed high value on the art of rhetoric, and recent advances in rhetorical criticism of the New Testament have resulted in a new emphasis on the rhetorical aspect of his letters. As many scholars have pointed out, however, it is not clear to what extent ancient rhetoric actually influenced Paul and his writing or how important rhetoric is for interpreting the Pauline corpus. This volume, containing contributions from major figures in the field, provides a nuanced examination of how ancient rhetoric should inform our understanding of Paul and his letters. The essays discuss Paul's historical context, present innovative advances in and trenchant critiques of rhetorical theory, and offer fresh readings of key Pauline texts. Outlining the strengths and weaknesses of a widely used approach, Paul and Ancient Rhetoric will be a valuable resource for New Testament and Classics scholars.

Paul and ancient rhetoric: an introduction to a continuing discussion Stanley E. Porter and Bryan R. Dyer
Part I. History of Scholarship and Key Issues: 1. Can the theory of rhetoric help us to understand the New Testament, and in particular the letters of Paul? Carl Joachim Classen
Part II. Paul, his Education, and First-Century Culture: 2. Paul in Tarsus: historical factors in assessing Paul's early education Andrew W. Pitts
3. Hellenistic rhetorical education and Paul's letters Christos Kremmydas
4. Paul and traditions of Graeco-Roman rhetoric Frank W. Hughes
5. Ancient literate culture and popular rhetorical knowledge: implications for studying Pauline rhetoric Stanley E. Porter
Part III. Issues in the Use of Ancient Rhetoric in Analyzing Paul's Letters: 6. 'Delivery, delivery, delivery': accounting for performance in the rhetoric of Paul's letters Glenn Holland
7. Rhetoric and epistolography - case not closed Lauri Thurén
Part IV. Paul and Ancient Rhetoric in Practice: 8. Paul, classical rhetoric, and oracular fullness of meaning in Romans 1:16-17 Robert G. Hall
9. 'I do not understand what I do': a challenge to understanding Romans 7 as prosopopoeia Bryan R. Dyer
10. Parenesis and peroratio: the rhetorical function of Romans 12:1-15:13 Mark D. Given
11. Navigating First Thessalonians employing Aristotle's enthymeme Thomas H. Olbricht and Stanley N. Helton
12. Appeals to logos, pathos, and ethos in Galatians 5:1-12: an investigation of Paul's inventio David A. deSilva
13. Visualizing Philippians: ancient rhetorical practice meets cognitive science through sociorhetorical interpretation L. Gregory Bloomquist.

Subject Areas: Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG], Religion & beliefs [HR]