Das Martyrium des Polykarp

Abstract

Proquest Information and Learning: Foreign text omitted. Das Martyrium des Polykarp, translation and by Gerd Buschmann. Kommentar zu den Apostolischen Vatern 6. Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1998. Pp. 452. DM 168.00. In foreword this substantial and clearly formatted volume, author states that it is the first comprehensive, book-length commentary on Martyrdom of Polycarp. Few, if any, would argue (granted possible exception of J. B. Lightfoot's still-- important work). Buschmann's is an important work for those interested in Polycarp, early Christian martyrdom, and various related subjects. Also in foreword, Buschmann sets task of trying to do justice (prdgenden) meaning of That characteristic meaning, as expounded in a discussion of Authenticity and Integrity within introduction, is a kerygmatic-- parenetic one. Martyrdom of Polycarp is from its inception and in its design Tendenz Literatur; any search for an Urform characterized by bruta facto is applicable (p. 38). Among other items in introduction are discussions of dating, text traditions, (modern) editions, The Theology of Martyrdom, and New Testament: ..., Structure (Gliederung), Gattung, and Sitz im Leben, and a (complete) reprint of B. Dehandschutter's Synopsis of Ps.-Pionian and Eusebian text traditions. body of moves deliberately through (Ps.-Pionian) text. Each section bears a title given by Buschmann, followed by translation, bibliography, a summary or overview of narrative and of subsequent discussion, literary-critical remarks, form-critical remarks, and a full discussion organized into subsections (or smaller units) of text. Interspersed within are four excursuses: and its Letter Form, The Fixing of Term ... as a Terminus Technicus. , The Interrogation Dialogue and Form Critical Question about Origin of Gattung Acts of Martyr, and Transhistorical Analysis of Prayer in 14.. . At back of book is a pull-out chart, Topics and Formal Elements of a Martyr Text, which plots presence or absence of a number of items within a range of documents including and other Christian martyrdoms, biblical materials, and noncanonical acts. Not least of commentary's strengths is its fresh, sustained of whole text in context of mid-second-century Asia Minor. For Buschmann, Martyrdom of Polycarp is an epideictic (p. 47), genuine letter with a well-defined Sitz: the worship service is place of reading (p. 48). Further, intention of [is] catholic-normative and anti-enthusiastic (p. 51). More pointedly, it is anti-Montanist: probably contains oldest literary witness (p. 371). There are, then, implications for dating rise of New Prophecy: Montanism must be interpreted from source [MartPol] and not source from an assumed date of origin of (p. 370). There are also implications for understanding narrative of Martyrdom of Polycarp. The imitation-theme is (against interpolationhypotheses) central in MartPol (p. 83). Both those sympathetic with his tendencies and those not so inclined will be well advised consider Buschmann's overall approach and particular readings. It is no accident that a that takes seriously text-as-a-whole should appear at a time when (newer) literary criticisms and rhetorical methodologies are in ascendancy. Buschmann makes case for re-setting scholarly task. For example, it is the error of Campenhausen presume and posit that Martyrdom of Polycarp was originally a simple narrative about purely historical facts (p. 91). Or better, Authenticity constitutes no Textgattung; historicity does not dress itself in any one form (p. …