Paul and Rhetoric

Paul and Rhetoric contains essays that have been presented in a seminar called "Paul and Rhetoric" in the annual meetings of the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas, the leading international forum for New Testament and Christian Origin scholars. Translated into English, these essays, by leaders in the field and in the topic, engage and represent modern scholarship on Paul and rhetorical studies. The foundational essays are listed under the heading "State of the Discussion", attempting to take the major rhetorical categories of the time contemporary with Paul (types of rhetoric, invention and arrangement, and figures and tropes) and, first, lays out where the discussion is now. They then note the problems and highlights where continued discussion and deliberation would be helpful. The "Broad Questions" section asks what can be learned about reading Paul's letters to congregations in light of ancient epistolography, how theology and rhetoric are related (because the two are often treated as if they are alien to one another), and how ancient rhetoric and ancient psychology are associated with one another. All in all a volume that illustrates, examines and assesses where we are now in the study of rhetorical traditions in Pauline scholarship, and in some instances suggests the direction of future studies.

Table of Contents:
Preface Foreword: Ruminations Occasioned by the Publication of These Essays and the End of the Seminar, by J. Paul Sampley Setting the Stage Chapter 1 Peter Lampe, Rhetorical Analysis of Pauline Texts-Quo Vadit? Methodological Reflections The State of the Art Chapter 2 Duane Watson, The Three Species of Rhetoric and the Study of the Pauline Epistles Chapter 3 Troy W. Martin, Invention and Arrangement in Recent Pauline Rhetorical Studies: A Survey of the Practices and the Problems Chapter 4 Duane Watson, The Role of Style in the Pauline Epistles: From Ornamentation to Argumentative Strategies Relation of Rhetoric to other Disciplines Chapter 5 Christopher Forbes, Ancient Rhetoric and Ancient Letters: Models for Reading Paul, and Their Limits Chapter 6 Johan Vos, Rhetoric and Theology in the Letters of Paul Chapter 7 Peter Lampe, Quintilian's Psychological Insights in his Institutio Oratoria Studies of Specific Pauline texts Chapter 8 Michael Winger, Paul as Poet: Death and Life as Metaphors Chapter 9 Peter Lampe, Can Words be Violent or Do They Only Sound That Way? Second Corinthians: Verbal Warfare From Afar as a Complement to a Placid Personal Presence

About the Author :
J. Paul Sampley is Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Christian Origins at Boston University, USA. He is the co-editor of Pauline Parallels (1984) and "1 Corinthians" and "2 Corinthians" in the New Interpreter's Bible, and Walking in Love (2016).   Peter Lampe is Professor and Chair of New Testament at the University of Heidelberg, Germany.  

Review :
'Overall, this edited volume , especially the first two sections, provides an insightful snapshot of the current state of the discipline... it is a useful work for anyone looking to gain a foothold in this important area of Pauline studies.' This valuable essay collection deserves a wide readership. Collectively, these essays serve not only to capture the status quo of studies of Paul's rhetoric but also to advocate and demonstrate moving beyond simplistic exercises of 'classify the rhetoric'. Many students and scholars will profit from their methodological insights. This volume illustrates, examines and assesses where we are now in the study of rhetorical traditions in Pauline scholarship, and in some instances suggests the direction of future studies. Sampley and Lampe have developed a unique book, one that is in a sense a hybrid. It is a hybrid in that it is neither purely a survey or monograph but a little of both...this book will prove to be an indispensable tool for anyone interested in further research in Paul and rhetoric. Highly recommended for research libraries and Pauline scholars.