Derhetorizing Paul: A Dynamic Perspective on Pauline Theology and the Law - Softcover

Thuren, Lauri

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1563383721 ISBN 13: 9781563383724

Publisher: Bloomsbury T & T Clark, 2002

Synopsis

When we read 1 Thessalonians 1:8, Paul seems to be calling for an end to all missionary activity: "In every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to speak a word." Given what we know about Paul, this notion strikes Christian readers as very curious. According to Lauri Thuren, Paul and his listeners would find modern Pauline scholarship and interpretation equally curious. Expressions like the one from 1 Thessalonians were never meant to be taken at face value, and have promoted sophisticated but erroneous theological and historical reflections. These errors are due not only to the scholarly ignorance of ancient rhetorical and epistolary conventions, but also to a static attitude toward the text itself. Thuren offers a different kind of study, one based on a natural and dynamic reading of Paul's letters. These letters need to be stripped of rhetoric, he says, in order to describe any theology beyond the texts. This means identifying persuasive devices in Pauline texts in order to filter out their effect on the theological ideas expressed. Thuren applies this principle to a controversial issue in Pauline theology, the question of law. He claims that Paul's exaggerated statements correspond to his hyperbolic way of thinking. Paul s search for consistency on the Old Testament, Thuren claims, was a major reason for his revolt against the Law. Derhetorizing Paul offers a bold new reading of Paul's letters and a striking reinterpretation of Pauline theology. Lauri Thuren is Senior Research Fellow at the Academy of Finland and is the author of Argument and Theology in 1 Peter.

About this title

Review

While demonstrating a familiarity with classical rhetorical approaches he deftly brings together modern insights into communication and rhetorical theory and convincingly demonstrates the utility of rhetorical criticism to Pauline studies Thuren s effort is an excellent example of the kind of future for Pauline studies that could be brought about when informed by modern rhetorical criticism. Thuren s work signals a promising new direction in the future of rhetorical criticism and Pauline studies. SBL (Journal of Biblical Literature), Spring 2004

Synopsis

This study argues that Paul's letters need to be stripped of rhetoric in order to describe any theology beyond the texts, and claims that Paul's exaggerated statements correspond to his hyperbolic way of thinking.

About this edition

• Publisher: Bloomsbury T & T Clark
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1563383721
• ISBN 13: 9781563383724
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 213