Abstract

Since the publication of Betz’s article (1975) and his commentary on Galatians (1979) much research has been done on the rhetorical analysis of the Letter to the Galatians. This article presents an overview of the rhetorical analyses of Galatians from 1995 to 2005. It concludes by highlighting five characteristics of such analyses: 1. The rigid application of “the” ancient rhetorical system is on the decline; 2. Scholars who still use insights from ancient rhetoric do so in a much more nuanced way, quite often presuppose a wider background, and are more interested in functions than in categories; 3. There has been a notable increase in the use of rhetorical approaches that were not based on ancient rhetoric; 4. The fact that Galatians is a letter has received more serious consideration; 5. A new issue that has been raised is the applicability of an “evaluative” approach to Paul’s argumentation and persuasive strategy.

Highlights

  • The purpose of this paper is to set the stage for this conference

  • The first impression that comes to mind when one considers what has been achieved with regard to the rhetorical analysis of Galatians during the last few years, is the wide variety of perspectives and approaches

  • If the studies that we have considered are compared to those that appeared during the first number of years after Betz’s new initiative with regard to the rhetorical analysis of Galatians, this characteristic seems to be the most striking

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Summary

INTRODUCTION

The theme of the conference is “Exploring new rhetorical approaches to Galatians”, which implies that we should have a good grip on the research that has been carried out in this regard during recent years. In this paper a selection of the research that was carried out on the rhetorical analysis of Galatians from 1995 to 20052 will be presented, followed by a brief conclusion at the end of the paper in which some evaluative remarks are made. The particular time frame was selected on an arbitrary basis; it would have been better to discuss the whole era from 1975 to 2005 This would have entailed too much material for one paper. In the presentation of the approaches of various scholars, I have tried to be as impartial as possible. If one really desires to gain a full understanding of a particular approach, it is best to read the book/article oneself

OVERVIEW OF RHETORICAL APPROACHES TO GALATIANS
CONCLUSION

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