Jesus, rhetoric, and law
By: by Ian H. Henderson.
Series: Biblical interpretation series,; v. 20
Publisher: E.J. Brill
Published: 1996
Place of publication: Leiden; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 437
Subjects: Jesus Christ -- Words.; Bible. N.T. Gospels -- Criticism, interpretation, etc.; Rhetoric in the Bible.; Rhetoric, Ancient.; Law (Theology) -- Biblical teaching.
Description: This study locates pre-gospel orality and gospel literacy within Greco-Roman rhetorical norms for education and performance. Heavy use of a few basic rhetorical conventions marks the gospel tradition as a marginal yet rhetorically competent attempt to create a Christian public. The book identifies gnomic sayings as the thickest available sample of gospel rhetorics, an alternative to samples based on chreia and parable. Gnome-use is central throughout ancient rhetorical theory and practice. Gnome is therefore an especially good focus for comparative study, particularly of characterisation and legal topicality. This work establishes a credible model of interaction among the speech-habits of Jesus, those of early Christian oral tradition, and the innovative rhetorics of gospel and epistolary texts. The plurality of rhetorical-criticisms current in New Testament studies is also addressed.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [414]-429) and indexes.