Jeal, Roy Roger (1990) The relationship between theology and ethics in the Letter to the Ephesians. PhD thesis, University of Sheffield.
Abstract
The Letter to the Ephesians is comprised of two distinct parts
that can be labelled "theology" (Ephesians 1-3) and "ethics"
(Ephesians 4-6). These sections are, however, difficult to
reconcile with each other. The moral exhortations of the
paraenesis are not directly and argumentatively derived from
the theological narrative.
Although Ephesians is a letter, epistolary analysis does not
lead to an explanation of how the "theological" and "ethical"
sections can be integrated. A rhetorical critical examination,
however, provides a new angle of interpretation that shows a
way through the difficulties of explaining how the two halves
of the letter are related to each other. Ephesians is a
document that can be designated as "sermon". As a "sermon" it
is a combination of epideictic and deliberative rhetorical
genres that does not address a specific issue or controversy.
It speaks to a Christian audience that is not expected to make
critical decisions based on argumentation within the "sermon,"
but rather is reminded of, impressed with, and identifies with
certain theological concepts. A frame of mind is thereby
developed among the audience members that makes them receptive
to the moral exhortations contained in the paraenesis.
An analysis of the "theological" section of Ephesians reveals
that a frame of mind receptive to moral exhortation is
developed through the rhetorical presentation of theological
notions with which the audience would be in agreement. The
"ethical" section or paraenesis is not directly founded on
these theological notions, but presents its own, self contained argumentation for proper conduct to an audience that
has become susceptible to such behavioral appeals.
It is concluded that theology and ethics in Ephesians are
related by the rhetorical use of the language of what is
defined as "sermon".
Metadata
Keywords: | Pauline theology |
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Awarding institution: | University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Arts and Humanities (Sheffield) > Biblical Studies (Sheffield) |
Identification Number/EthosID: | uk.bl.ethos.296265 |
Depositing User: | EThOS Import Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 05 Nov 2012 10:06 |
Last Modified: | 08 Aug 2013 08:47 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:etheses.whiterose.ac.uk:1818 |
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