Wrestling with Rationality in Paul - Romans 1-8 in a New Perspective

This study combines an analysis of the argumentative complexities of Romans 1-8 with the presentation of modern theories of how meaning arises and functions. These theories (especially as represented by the semiotics of Umberto Eco) shed important light on two central questions raised by Paul's method: why does he reason so persistently about matters which depend ultimately on supernatural enlightenment, and why, where he does, are his arguments often so unclear and so hard to reduce to logical consistency? To both questions new answers emerge.

List of contents

Acknowledgements; Introduction; 1. Enthymematic semiosis in Paul; 2. Varieties of enthymematic effect in Romans 1-4; 3. Ways in which enthymemes arise in Romans 5-7; 4. How enthymematic argument stands in Romans 8; 5. Knowing what tune Paul is playing; Conclusion; Bibliography; Index of names; Index of technical terms.

Summary

John D. Moores engages with the most significant riddles displayed in the complex argumentation of Romans 1-8. Viewing Paul as he does against the background of semiology (especially the theory of Umberto Eco), his 1995 book combines literary theory and classical logic to put an entirely new complexion on Paul's rationality.

Product details

• Authors: John D. Moores
• Assisted by: John Court (Editor), Margaret E. Thrall (Editor)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 03.10.2011
• EAN: 9780521472234
• ISBN: 978-0-521-47223-4
• No. of pages: 228
• Dimensions: 145 mm x 222 mm x 17 mm
• Weight: 458 g
• Series: Society for New Testament Stud; Society for New Testament Stud
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Christianity; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Religion: general, reference works