Romans and the Apologetic Tradition
The Purpose, Genre and Audience of Paul's Letter

This is the only book-length treatment of the protreptic character of Paul's Letter to the Romans.

Anthony J. Guerra (Author)

9780521619837, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 17 February 2005

216 pages
21.5 x 13.8 x 1.4 cm, 0.293 kg

"This book breaks new ground and invites further investigation." Choice

Of all the letters in the Pauline corpus, the Letter to the Romans has attracted the greatest degree of scholarly attention. Yet surprisingly scant consideration has been given to the question of its literary genre. Taking up the comparatively brief suggestions of previous scholars, Dr Guerra argues that the Letter belongs to the protreptic genre - the class of writing in antiquity which urges the adoption of a particular way of life (or a deeper commitment to it), setting out its advantages, replying to objections, and demonstrating its superiority. Working through each chapter of the Letter in turn, he indicates how Paul provides a critique of non-Christian ways of life (both Jewish and Gentile) and affirms the superiority of the Christian Gospel. It becomes apparent that the Pauline apologetics of Romans stand between the hellenistic Jewish tradition and the later Greek Christian apologists, and may have influenced the latter.

Preface
List of abbreviations
1. Apologetic and audience: making the message meet
2. Apologetic motifs in Romans 1.18–3.31
3. Romans 4: the continuation of apologetic argumentation
4. Paul recommends and defends the gospel of God
5. Romans 9–11: Paul defends his mission to the Gentiles for the sake of the Jews
6. Romans 12–13 and 16: the 'Roman factor'
7. Summary and conclusion
Appendix
Glossary
Select Bibliography
Indexes.

Subject Areas: Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG]