Ancient Rhetoric and Paul's Apology: The Compositional Unity of 2 Corinthians: 131 (Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series, Series Number 131)
Cambridge University Press, 10/14/2004
EAN 9780521842334, ISBN10: 0521842336
Hardcover, 312 pages, 21.6 x 14 x 2.1 cm
Language: English
Second Corinthians is Paul's apology to the Corinthians for failing to visit them, using rhetorical persuasion in his letters, and appearing unapproved for the collection. The scholarly consensus maintains that 2 Corinthians is a conglomeration of letters due to its literary and logistical inconsistencies. Consequently, most interpretations of 2 Corinthians treat only parts of it. However, a different consensus is emerging. Fredrick Long situates the text within Classical literary and rhetorical conventions and argues for its unity based upon numerous parallels with ancient apology in the tradition of Andocides, Socrates, Isocrates and Demosthenes. He provides a comprehensive survey and rigorous genre analysis of ancient forensic discourse in support of his claims, and shows how the unified message of Paul's letter can be recovered. His study will be of relevance to Classicists and New Testament scholars alike.
1. An apology for the unity of 2 Corinthians
Part I. A Survey of Ancient Forensic Discourse
2. The anatomy of a genre
sources, nature and features of forensic rhetoric
3. Forensic exigency
4. Forensic invention
5. Forensic disposition
6. Apologetic letters
Part II. A Rhetorical Analysis of 2 Corinthians as Ancient Apology
7. The rhetorical exigency of 2 Corinthians
8. The rhetorical disposition of 2 Corinthians
9. The rhetorical invention of 2 Corinthians
10. The rhetoric of 2 Corinthians and the nature of Paul's theology.