Reconstructing the Historical Background of Paul’s Rhetoric in the Letter to the Colossians

Reconstructing the Historical Background of Paul’s Rhetoric in the Letter to the Colossians PDF Author: Adam Copenhaver
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 0567678822
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 290

Get Book Here

Book Description
In approaching the debate surrounding the opponents in Colossians from a methodological standpoint, Copenhaver contends that Paul was not actually confronting active opponents when he wrote the letter. Rather, Copenhaver takes the view that Paul's letter was written to the churches in the Lycus Valley, in a desire to develop their identity as a new people in Christ and to appeal to them to live a new kind of life. His warnings in Colossians 2 function as oppositional rhetoric, contrasting the religious practices of the Lycus Valley with this new belief. Paul's warnings are therefore broadly representative of the ancient world, while at the same time focused especially on two threads of historical referents, Judaism and pagan religions. Development of the above argument demonstrates that the challenge of reconstructing a singular opponent arises not only from the limitations of textual and historical evidence, but also from the assumptions and methodologies inherent in historical approaches to the text. By modifying these assumptions and adjusting the methodology, Copenhaver can show how Paul's letter takes on a new relationship to its historical context.

Reconstructing the Historical Background of Paul’s Rhetoric in the Letter to the Colossians

Reconstructing the Historical Background of Paul’s Rhetoric in the Letter to the Colossians PDF Author: Adam Copenhaver
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 0567678822
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 290

Get Book Here

Book Description
In approaching the debate surrounding the opponents in Colossians from a methodological standpoint, Copenhaver contends that Paul was not actually confronting active opponents when he wrote the letter. Rather, Copenhaver takes the view that Paul's letter was written to the churches in the Lycus Valley, in a desire to develop their identity as a new people in Christ and to appeal to them to live a new kind of life. His warnings in Colossians 2 function as oppositional rhetoric, contrasting the religious practices of the Lycus Valley with this new belief. Paul's warnings are therefore broadly representative of the ancient world, while at the same time focused especially on two threads of historical referents, Judaism and pagan religions. Development of the above argument demonstrates that the challenge of reconstructing a singular opponent arises not only from the limitations of textual and historical evidence, but also from the assumptions and methodologies inherent in historical approaches to the text. By modifying these assumptions and adjusting the methodology, Copenhaver can show how Paul's letter takes on a new relationship to its historical context.

A Prolegomenon to the Study of Paul

A Prolegomenon to the Study of Paul PDF Author: Patrick Hart
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004428526
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 234

Get Book Here

Book Description
A Prolegomenon to the Study of Paul examines foundational assumptions that ground all interpretations of the apostle Paul. This examination touches on several topics, invoking issues pertaining to truth, hermeneutics, canonicity, historiography, pseudonymity, literary genres, and authority. Underlying all of this is a guiding thesis, namely, that every encounter with Paul involves “Pauline Archimedean points,” or fixed points of reference that establish the measure for constructing any interpretation of Paul whatsoever. Building on this, the author interrogates various issues that inform the formation of these Pauline Archimedean points, in pursuit of an important but modest goal: to urge Pauline readers to engage in a modicum of self-reflection over the various considerations that precondition all of our efforts to comprehend Paul.

Scorpiace

Scorpiace PDF Author: Tertullian
Publisher: OrthodoxEbooks
ISBN: 9781643730981
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 48

Get Book Here

Book Description
This among Christians is a season of persecution. When, therefore, faith is greatly agitated, and the Church burning, as represented by the bush, then the Gnostics break out, then the Valentinians creep forth, then all the opponents of martyrdom bubble up, being themselves also hot to strike, penetrate, kill. For, because they know that many are artless and also inexperienced, and weak moreover, that a very great number in truth are Christians who veer about with the wind and conform to its moods, they perceive that they are never to be approached more than when fear has opened the entrances to the soul, especially when some display of ferocity has already arrayed with a crown the faith of martyrs. Therefore, drawing along the tail hitherto, they first of all apply it to the feelings, or whip with it as if on empty space. Innocent persons undergo such suffering. So that you may suppose the speaker to be a brother or a heathen of the better sort. A sect troublesome to nobody so dealt with! Then they pierce. Men are perishing without a reason. For that they are perishing, and without a reason, is the first insertion. Then they now strike mortally. But the unsophisticated souls know not what is written, and what meaning it bears, where and when and before whom we must confess, or ought, save that this, to die for God, is, since He preserves me, not even artlessness, but folly, nay madness. If He kills me, how will it be His duty to preserve me? Once for all Christ died for us, once for all He was slain that we might not be slain. If He demands the like from me in return, does He also look for salvation from my death by violence? Or does God importune for the blood of men, especially if He refuses that of bulls and he-goats? Assuredly He had rather have the repentance than the death of the sinner. -Tertullian

St. Paul the Traveller and the Roman Citizen

St. Paul the Traveller and the Roman Citizen PDF Author: Sir William Mitchell Ramsay
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 452

Get Book Here

Book Description


Paul

Paul PDF Author: Robert Paul Seesengood
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 9781444317947
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 264

Get Book Here

Book Description
Seesengood traces the life and impact of Paul – one ofChristianity’s most influential figures – through themajor periods Christian history. Exploring the changinginterpretations of Paul and his work, the author throws new lighton his writings and on religious history. Offers a unique, insightful journey through the many and variedinterpretations of Paul’s life and work over 2,000 years– from the Gnostic controversy, to Luther and theReformation, to contemporary debates over religion and science Explains Paul’s pivotal role within Christian history,and how his missionary journeys, canonized epistles and theologicalinsights were cornerstones of the early Church and central to theformation of Christian doctrine Argues that each new interpretation of Paul is the result of afresh set of cultural, social and ideological circumstances –and so questions whether it is ever possible to discover the realPaul

Paul

Paul PDF Author: Paula Fredriksen
Publisher: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300231369
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 332

Get Book Here

Book Description
A groundbreaking new portrait of the apostle Paul, from one of today’s leading historians of antiquity Often seen as the author of timeless Christian theology, Paul himself heatedly maintained that he lived and worked in history’s closing hours. His letters propel his readers into two ancient worlds, one Jewish, one pagan. The first was incandescent with apocalyptic hopes, expecting God through his messiah to fulfill his ancient promises of redemption to Israel. The second teemed with ancient actors, not only human but also divine: angry superhuman forces, jealous demons, and hostile cosmic gods. Both worlds are Paul’s, and his convictions about the first shaped his actions in the second. Only by situating Paul within this charged social context of gods and humans, pagans and Jews, cities, synagogues, and competing Christ-following assemblies can we begin to understand his mission and message. This original and provocative book offers a dramatically new perspective on one of history’s seminal figures.

The Resurrection of Jesus

The Resurrection of Jesus PDF Author: Michael R Licona
Publisher: Inter-Varsity Press
ISBN: 1789740193
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 603

Get Book Here

Book Description
The question of the historicity of Jesus' resurrection has been repeatedly probed, investigated and debated. And the results have varied widely. Perhaps some now regard this issue as the burned-over district of New Testament scholarship. Could there be any new and promising approach to this problem? Yes, answers Michael Licona. And he convincingly points us to a significant deficiency in approaching this question: our historiographical orientation and practice. So he opens this study with an extensive consideration of historiography and the particular problem of investigating claims of miracles. This alone is a valuable contribution. But then Licona carefully applies his principles and methods to the question of Jesus' resurrection. In addition to determining and working from the most reliable sources and bedrock historical evidence, Licona critically weighs other prominent hypotheses. His own argument is a challenging and closely argued case for the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. Any future approaches to dealing with this 'prize puzzle' of New Testament study will need to be routed through The Resurrection of Jesus.

The Misunderstood Jew

The Misunderstood Jew PDF Author: Amy-Jill Levine
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 0061748110
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 258

Get Book Here

Book Description
In the The Misunderstood Jew, scholar Amy-Jill Levine helps Christians and Jews understand the "Jewishness" of Jesus so that their appreciation of him deepens and a greater interfaith dialogue can take place. Levine's humor and informed truth-telling provokes honest conversation and debate about how Christians and Jews should understand Jesus, the New Testament, and each other.

Gospelbound

Gospelbound PDF Author: Collin Hansen
Publisher: Multnomah
ISBN: 0593193571
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 242

Get Book Here

Book Description
A profound exploration of how to hold on to hope when our unchanging faith collides with a changing culture, from two respected Christian storytellers and thought leaders. “Offers neither spin control nor image maintenance for the evangelical tribe, but genuine hope.”—Russell Moore, president of ERLC As the pressures of health warnings, economic turmoil, and partisan politics continue to rise, the influence of gospel-focused Christians seems to be waning. In the public square and popular opinion, we are losing our voice right when it’s needed most for Christ’s glory and the common good. But there’s another story unfolding too—if you know where to look. In Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra counter these growing fears with a robust message of resolute hope for anyone hungry for good news. Join them in exploring profound stories of Christians who are quietly changing the world in the name of Jesus—from the wild world of digital media to the stories of ancient saints and unsung contemporary activists on the frontiers of justice and mercy. Discover how, in these dark times, the light of Jesus shines even brighter. You haven’t heard the whole story. And that’s good news.

The First Paul

The First Paul PDF Author: Marcus J. Borg
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 0061972843
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 244

Get Book Here

Book Description
“Borg and Crossan reveal a figure who, besides being neither anti-Semitic, anti-sex, nor misogynist, stresses social and political equality among Christians and between them and others. A refreshing and heartening exculpation of a still routinely maligned figure of the first importance to culture and civilization.” — Booklist (starred review) John Dominic Crossan and Marcus J. Borg—two of the world’s top-selling Christian scholars and the bestselling authors of The Last Week and The First Christmas—once again shake up the status quo by arguing that the message of the apostle Paul, considered by many to be the second most important figure in Christianity, has been domesticated by the church. Borg and Crossan turn the common perception of Paul on its head, revealing him as a radical follower of Jesus whose core message is still relevant today.