Paul's Glory-Christology: Tradition and Rhetoric (Novum Testamentum, Supplements, 69) - Hardcover

Newman, Carey C.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 9004094636 ISBN 13: 9789004094635

Publisher: Brill, 1991

Synopsis

In 1927 C.A.A. Scott, while commenting on the apostle Paul's Christology, remarked that the "history of the word Glory in the Bible has yet to be written." By using methodology developed in semantics, semiotics, and, more generally, literary theory, Newman examines the origin and rhetoric of Paul's Glory-Christology.
The investigation involves three distinct tasks: (1) to plot the tradition-history of Glory which formed part of Paul's linguistic world, (2) to examine Paul's letter, in light of the reconstructed tradition-history of Glory, in order to discern the rationale of Paul's identification of Christ as Glory and, (3) to map out the implications of such an identification for Paul's theological and rhetorical strategy.
On the basis of this study, four conclusions are reached for understanding Paul. First, Paul inherited a symbolic universe with signs already "full" of signification. Second, knowing the (diachronically acquired) connotative range of a "surface" symbol (e.g. Glory) aids in discerning Paul's precise contingent strategy. Third, knowing the "surface" symbol's referential power defines and contributes to the "deeper structure" of Paul's theological grammar. Finally, the heuristic power within the construals of the Glory tradition coalesce in Paul's Christophany and thus provide coherence at the "deepest" level of Paul's Christology.

About this title

About the Author

Carey C. Newman, Ph.D. (1989) in Philosophy of Religion, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, is Assistant Professor of Religion, Palm Beach Atlantic College, West Palm Beach, Florida. He has also published several articles.

Edition details

• Publisher: Brill
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9004094636
• ISBN 13: 9789004094635
• Binding: Leather Bound
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 305