Paul and Ancient Rhetoric: Theory and Practice in the Hellenistic Context

The Apostle Paul lived and breathed in a Hellenistic culture that placed high value on the art of rhetoric, and recent advances in rhetorical criticism of the New Testament have resulted in a new emphasis on the rhetorical aspect of his letters. As many scholars have pointed out, however, it is not clear to what extent ancient rhetoric actually influenced Paul and his writing or how important rhetoric is for interpreting the Pauline corpus. This volume, containing contributions from major figures in the field, provides a nuanced examination of how ancient rhetoric should inform our understanding of Paul and his letters. The essays discuss Paul's historical context, present innovative advances in and trenchant critiques of rhetorical theory, and offer fresh readings of key Pauline texts. Outlining the strengths and weaknesses of a widely used approach, Paul and Ancient Rhetoric will be a valuable resource for New Testament and Classics scholars.

Stanley E. Porter is President, Dean, Professor of New Testament, and Roy A. Hope Chair in Christian Worldview at McMaster Divinity College. He is the author of more than twenty books, including Linguistic Analysis of the Greek New Testament: Studies in Tools, Methods, and Practice and When Paul Met Jesus: How an Idea Got Lost in History (Cambridge, forthcoming).

Bryan R. Dyer is coeditor, with Cynthia Long Westfall, of The Bible and Social Justice and, with Stanley E. Porter, of The Origins of the Synoptic Gospels. He has written numerous articles and chapters on Paul's letters, the Epistle to the Hebrews, and the Gospels.