Rhetoric, Ethic, and Moral Persuasion in Biblical Discourse (Emory Studies in Early Christianity)

All the essays in the collection focus on ethos and rhetoric. Biblical criticism as traditionally carried out seeks rigorous scrutiny of texts and backgrounds but fails to reflect upon the sociopolitical frameworks, cultural-religious implications, and symbolic universes of biblical texts and their interpretations. These essays argue that biblical critics need a more profound sense of critical rhetoric and ethic of inquiry to bring about a change in the ethos and ethics of biblical studies. Topics range from "the ethical appeal of the Chronicler" and "gendering moral discourse in Paul" to the "undercover ethos of Paul, God's double agent." Contributors include Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, Rodney K. Duke, Anders Eriksson, Manfred Kraus, John W. Marshall, J. David Hester-Amador, Carol Poster, Thomas H. Olbricht, Roy Jeal, Frederick J. Long, Mark D. Given, Todd Penner, Russell B. Sisson, Troy Martin, Johan S. Vos, Rollin Ramsaran, Jerry L. Sumney, Walter Übelacker, Vernon K. Robbins Read more Continue reading Read less REVIEW
"This present volume is a worthy celebration of a decade of successful conferences dealing with rhetorical analysis. It represents an important and sustained effort to discuss and make known the promises and limitations of classical rhetoric. While focusing this time on the ethos of the writer/speaker, the contributors deal with a vast variety of intriguing sub-themes and point convincingly to the vital importance of moral character in all forms of persuasion." Samuel Byrskog, Professor of New Testament and Hermeneutics, Goteburg University, Sweden, and Adjunct Professor of New Testament, Stockholm School of Theology, Sweden--Sanford Lakoff

One of the more difficult areas of analysis in rhetorical criticism is understanding the function of ethical imperatives or hortatory material in a discourse. Here we have a superb collection of essays that enhances our understanding of the role that ethos and ethics both play in the rhetoric we find in the NT. Highly recommended. Dr. Ben Witherington, III Prof. of New Testament Asbury Theological Seminary--Ben Witherington ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anders Eriksson teaches New Testament at the University of Lund, Sweden. Thomas Olbricht is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Religion at Pepperdine University.Thomas Olbricht is Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Religion, Pepperdine University.. Read more Continue reading Read less