New Testament Rhetoric, Second Edition

Witherington and Myers provide a much-needed introduction to the ancient art of persuasion and its use within the various New Testament documents. More than just an exploration of the use of the ancient rhetorical tools and devices, this guide introduces the reader to all that went into convincing an audience about some subject. Witherington and Myers make the case that rhetorical criticism is a more fruitful approach to the NT epistles than the oft-employed approaches of literary and discourse criticism. Familiarity with the art of rhetoric also helps the reader explore non-epistolary genres. In addition to the general introduction to rhetorical criticism, the book guides readers through the many and varied uses of rhetoric in most NT documents--not only telling readers about rhetoric in the NT, but showing them the way it was employed. ""This brief guide book is intended to provide the reader with an entrance into understanding the rhetorical analysis of various parts of the NT, the value such studies bring for understanding what is being proclaimed and defended in the NT, and how Christ is presented in ways that would be considered persuasive in antiquity."" - from the introduction

About the Author :
Ben Witherington III (PhD, University of Durham) is the Jean R. Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. Witherington has written over forty books including Paul of Arabia (2020) and commentaries on every book of the New Testament. Jason A. Myers (PhD, Asbury Theological Seminary) is associate professor of biblical studies at Greensboro College where he teaches New Testament and lecturer in New Testament at WTC Theology (UK).

Review :
"Over four decades the study of early Christian rhetoric has gathered momentum and become increasingly more labyrinthine. Witherington and Myers offer an accessible introduction that carefully attends to the intricacies of both classical analyses of persuasion and most of the New Testament documents. Scrupulously researched, with expanded consideration of the Pauline letters, the Catholic Epistles, and Revelation, the second edition of this guidebook is warmly welcomed." --C. Clifton Black, Princeton Theological Seminary "Ben Witherington provides us with a substantial revision and expansion of his first edition. New chapters on the rhetoric of 1 Corinthians and Romans, Prison Epistles, James and Jude, and Revelation make this second edition much more comprehensive. The two new appendices on elementary exercises in rhetorical education and an apology for using rhetoric to study the New Testament are alone worth the price of the book. I highly recommend this volume." --Duane F. Watson, Malone University "Whether the authors of the New Testament or the speakers they report went to rhetoric school or not, they were using rhetorical strategies they had learned listening to public speeches, sermons in synagogues or in churches, or in books they had read or heard. What many pastors, students, and professors need is an introduction to how ancient rhetoric worked. This book is it!" --Scot McKnight, Northern Seminary "Ben Witherington has been the leading light in plotting the rhetorical contours of the New Testament. In this welcomed update, Witherington continues to demonstrate how various rhetorical devices and structures are weaved into the New Testament and how they were deployed by authors to persuade, exhort, rebuke, and encourage their respective audiences. Witherington helpfully shows how grasping the basic features of ancient rhetoric aids biblical interpretation and Christian preaching. A terrific volume by a seasoned scholar." --Michael F. Bird, Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia "Ben Witherington has provided the definitive resource for understanding a historically situated rhetoric of the New Testament. Not only does he explain Greco-Roman rhetorical techniques, but he also proves how they aid every New Testament writer in the art of persuasion. Even more, he performs his own act of persuasion to effectively argues why rhetoric is a necessary implement in our exegetical toolbox. No student or teacher should be without this book!" --Elizabeth E. Shively, University of St Andrews "Ben Witherington III and Jason A. Myers are to be congratulated and thanked--as are Wipf and Stock Publishers--for preparing and publishing a second, expanded edition of New Testament Rhetoric. This substantive, accessible guidebook, which may also serve as a textbook, enables contemporary readers and interpreters of the New Testament to recognize more fully that the initial recipients of these documents were first and foremost auditors." --Todd Still, George W. Truett Theological Seminary