Observations On a Pauline Expression

The Cambridge History of Later Greek and Early Medieval Philosophy.

Voices of the Mystics: Early Christian Discourse in the Gospels of John and Thomas and Other Ancient Christian Literature

The study examines Eph 4:1-5:20. Consisting of five chapters, it probes the following five passages: 4:1-16; 4:17-24; 4:25-5:2; 5:3-14; and 5:15-20. Each chapter investigates the relevant verses exegetically, focussing on behavioural aspects. This overview is then compared with issues raised in chapters 1-3, with similar notions of morality from antecedent Pauline writings and with selected Jewish and Graeco Roman writings. The final section of each chapter builds and then applies a social science or social history model. Though exhibiting differences from Paul's undisputed writings, the basic moral view of these verses is Pauline. Various Jewish writings (LXX, Greek versions of OT Pseudepigrapha and relevant passages from Josephus, Philo and Qumran) are brought to bear on these verses. Certain Graeco-Roman writings, (Plato's Laws, Aristotle's Nicornachean Ethics and discourses from Dio Chrysostom and Epictetus) are also examined. Though a remarkable number of affinities exist between Ephesians and these other writings, no evidence of direct influence is detected. Rather, Ephesians appears to be a product of its age, expressing similar ideas because it shares elements of a common world view. Ephesians differs from most of the non-Pauline writings examined by linking morality with religious devotion. Social network and exchange theories (chapter 1), New Religious Movements theories (chapters 2 and 3), principles from honour and shame cultures (chapter 4) and a social model from symposia (chapter 5) were applied to relevant passages. Though historical circumstances behind the letter are unknown, Ephesians' moral teaching portrays human situations. The NRM theory applied in chapters 2 and 3 proved to be particularly helpful in explaining how Ephesians' rejection of gentile immorality (4:17-19) does not contradict its acceptance of gentile social structures.

Behaving as a convert : moral teaching in Ephesians against its traditional and social backgrounds

This study examines the broad range of moral exhortations in Colossians. The paraenetical sections evaluated include 1.9-10, 21-23; 2.6-7; 3.1-4, 5-17; 3.18-4.1. My primary objective is to determine the ground or basis for paraenesis in Colossians. I submit that there is a clear and consistent relationship between theology and ethics in Colossaians, for paraenesis is repeatedly given a firm theological foundation. The ground for the Colossian paraenesis is primarily Christological (1.9-10, 20-23; 2.6-7; 3.11, 17-18, 20, 22-23), sometimes soteriological (2.11-12; 3.1-4, 9-10), and occasionally eschatological (3.1-4, 24-25). My secondary aim is to analyse the shape of the Colossian paraenesis in terms of the behavioural, historical, and rhetorical nature of the exhortations. Much of the paraenesis in Colossians, particularly the vice/virtue lists and the household code, is traditional paraenetical material which reflects first century Hellenistic moral exhortation. At the same time, the traditional paraenetical material in Colossians is not traditional material simpliciter, for the role of humility (3.12), the nature of love (3.13-14), the placement of the householder under the authority of Christ (4.1), and the Christological foundation (3.11,17,18,22-23) make it distinctively Christian. To evaluate the manner in which the Colossian paraenesis has been shaped by contingency, I examine the nature of the Colossian opposition. The opponents reflect a syncretistic Jewish/pagan mystery cult which the author considered to be a Christological threat. This polemical setting is seen ultimately to shape the Colossian paraenesis, for the paraenesis affirms (esp. 1.21-23; 2.6-7) and elucidates (esp. 3.5- 4.1) the nature of Christ's lordship in the face of rival powers.

Living under the lordship of Christ : the ground and shape of paraenesis in the Epistle to the Colossians.

A scholarly study of the developing interpretations of religious experience in ancient Greek culture

Observations On a Pauline Expression

Citations

The Cambridge History of Later Greek and Early Medieval Philosophy.

Voices of the Mystics: Early Christian Discourse in the Gospels of John and Thomas and Other Ancient Christian Literature

Behaving as a convert : moral teaching in Ephesians against its traditional and social backgrounds

Living under the lordship of Christ : the ground and shape of paraenesis in the Epistle to the Colossians.

References

The Greeks and the irrational

Geschichte der griechischen Religion

The Cambridge history of later Greek and early medieval philosophy

Lexicon in Veteris Testamenti Libros

The Cambridge History of Later Greek and Early Medieval Philosophy.