Reading Romans As a Diatribe (Studies in Biblical Literature, 59)
Publisher: Peter Lang Publishing
Published: March 2004
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 160
ISBN-13: 9780820468174
Subjects: Biblical Studies - New Testament; Christian Theology - General; History; Bible - Study - General; Religion; Religion - Biblical Studies; Bible; Bible.; Discourses; Epictetus.; Language, style; N.T; N.T.; Rhetoric, Ancient; Romans
Description: "This book illustrates how the macro-structure of the "body" of Romans essentially follows that of the diatribes in Epictetus's Discourses. As in Discourses, the diatribe in Romans begins with the thesis (1.16-17), then follows an indictment (1.18-32) and dialogues with a fictitious second-person singular in chapter two. Arguments with the me genoito formula dominate the middle part of the diatribe. In the middle of chapter eleven, the phase changes back to dialogues with the second-person singular. The ending of the diatribe Romans also, like Discourses, includes cynic and hyperbolic statements (14.21 and 14.23). Thus, the "body" of Romans should not be read as a real letter, but as a diatribe that was attributed in Paul's schoolroom and later appropriated as a letter. This teaching was not directed to a specific group of people, viz., the Christians in Rome, but rather intrinsically universalized. Therefore, its message is intrinsically more powerful for us."--BOOK JACKET.