Enthymemes in the Letters of Paul

by Marc Debanne, Chris Keith (Editor)

Overview

This investigation looks at Paul's argumentation with special attention paid to enthymemes. Enthymemes can be defined as a three part deductive argumentation with an unstated assumption. Enthymemes constitute an important part of Paul's argumentation which until now has been relatively unexploited. Pauline studies continues today to grapple with the question of the core of Paul's thought and the investigation of the apostle's social world is gaining interest among scholars. This study of the manner in which Paul constructs enthymemes gives us insight into his thought world and would be a valuable text for scholars and librarians.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780567030566
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/10/2006
Series:	The Library of New Testament Studies , #303
Pages:	312
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Marc J. Debanné is the National Director of Les Groupes Bibliques Universitaires du Canada. He has a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies from McGill University in Montreal.

Chris Keith is Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, Norway. He is the author of The Pericope Adulterae, the Gospel of John and the Literacy of Jesus, a winner of the 2010 John Templeton Award for Theological Promise, and Jesus' Literacy: Scribal Culture and the Teacher from Galilee. He is also the co-editor of Jesus among Friends and Enemies: A Historical and Literary Introduction to Jesus in the Gospels, and was recently named a 2012 Society of Biblical Literature Regional Scholar.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: The problematic gap between public discourse and personal thought in Paul; how rhetorical and enthymeme analysis can help bridge the gap. 2. Method and Procedure: Overview of enthymeme research and its unresolved problems. 3. Enthymemes and Enthymeme Premisses in 1 Thessalonians. (In each of chapters 3 through 8, the enthymemes of an epistle are compiled and analysed. Observations are made both on Paul's use of enthymemes and on what we learn from them about his rhetoric, theology and social world. Each chapter has a corresponding section the catalogues of enthymemes and premiss themes in appendices 2 and 3.) 4. Enthymemes in Philemon, on the Surface and Below 5. Argumentation within a Ritual of Friendship in Philippians 6. Enthymemes within the Polemical Context of Galatians 7. Romans 8. The Corinthian Correspondence 9. Conclusion: Synthesis of results regarding Paul's use of enthymemes, observations about his teaching, his thought, and a reflection on the place of enthymeme analysis within exegesis. Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

'[This] book repays careful study. The technical side is not unduly daunting, and the exegesis is usually illuminating and interesting across a range of intrinsically interesting issues and texts...The author admits that what he finds is already 'perceivable by any informed and careful reader', but perception is sharpened and informed by his methodology and its application. He makes a useful contribution to our understanding of each of the letters, and more.' John Dunnill, Expository Times” —John Dunnill, Expository Times, Expository Times

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