Ancient Rhetoric and Paul's Apology

The Compositional Unity of 2 Corinthians

Fredrick J Long author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:14th Oct '04

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Ancient Rhetoric and Paul's Apology cover

This study demonstrates the unity of 2 Corinthians, drawing on extensive research in classical discourse.

Pauline Scholarship has typically interpreted 2 Corinthians as a later editorial composite of several letters. Fredrick Long presents the case for its unity, based on a comprehensive survey and rigorous genre analysis of ancient forensic discourse. His study will be of relevance to classicists and New Testament scholars alike.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.

Review of the hardback: '… crisply written and admirably clear … This is a thorough and well-written book and deserves to be taken seriously. It makes a cogent and significant contribution to the development of rhetorical criticism of the New Testament.' Reviews in Religion and Theology
Review of the hardback: 'The argumentation and verification of statements are sound and excellent. … For the reviewer the value of this monograph lies in the fact that this publication will initiate further discussion and debate … [Long's] study will be of relevance to Classicists and NT Scholars alike.' Neotestamentica

ISBN: 9780521842334

Dimensions: 216mm x 140mm x 21mm

Weight: 550g

312 pages