Paul’s Language of Ζῆλος: Monosemy and the Rhetoric of Identity and Practice: 137 (Biblical Interpretation Series, 137) - Hardcover

Lappenga, Benjamin J.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 9004302441 ISBN 13: 9789004302440

Publisher: Brill, 2015

Synopsis

In Paul’s Language of Ζῆλος, Benjamin Lappenga harnesses linguistic insights recently formulated within the framework of relevance theory to argue that within the letters of Paul (specifically Galatians, 1-2 Corinthians, and Romans), the ζῆλος word group is monosemic. Linking the responsible treatment of lexemes in the interpretive process with new insight into Paul’s rhetorical and theological task, Lappenga demonstrates that the mental encyclopedia activated by the term ζῆλος is 'shaped' within Paul’s discourse and thus transforms the meaning of ζῆλος for attentive ('model') readers. Such identity-forming strategies promote a series of practices that may be grouped under the rubric of 'rightly-directed ζῆλος'; specifically, emulation of 'weak' people and things, eager pursuit of community-building gifts, and the avoidance of jealous rivalry.

About this title

About the Author

Benjamin J. Lappenga, Ph.D. (2014), Fuller Theological Seminary, is Assistant Professor of Theology at Dordt College. He has published articles on the Pauline epistles in journals including Catholic Biblical Quarterly and Journal of Biblical Literature.

Edition details

• Publisher: Brill
• Publication date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9004302441
• ISBN 13: 9789004302440
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 276