New Testament rhetoric : an introductory guide to the art of persuasion in and of the New Testament / [print]
Ben Witherington III.
- Eugene, Or. : Cascade Books, (c)2009.
- x, 274 pages ; 23 cm.
What is rhetoric? -- The oral cultures of the Biblical world -- Defining and refining the craft of persuasion: the history and practice of ancient rhetoric -- Gospels of persuasion: Mark and Luke -- Early Christian homilies: the rhetorical speech summaries in Acts -- Paul, the rhetor and writer -- The elementary rhetoric of the pastorals -- The rhetoric of the general epistles -- The difference rhetoric makes to NT interpretation -- Postscript: the rhetoric of preaching, the preaching of rhetoric.
Witherington provides an introduction to the ancient art of persuasion and its use within the various New Testament documents. More than just an exploration of the use of the ancient rhetorical tools and devices, this guide introduces the reader to all that went into convincing an audience about some subject. Witherington makes the case that rhetorical criticism is a more fruitful approach to the NT epistles than the oft-employed approaches of literary and discourse criticism. Familiarity with the art of rhetoric also helps the reader explore non-epistolary genres. In addition to the general introduction to rhetorical criticism, the book guides readers through the many and varied uses of rhetoric in most NT documents--not only telling readers about rhetoric in the NT, but showing them the way it was employed. --From publisher's description.