Imperial polemics and the end of the exodus in Romans : A rhetorical and intertextual reading of Romans 1.1-17

This thesis examines the possible intertexts in Paul's letter to the Romans as a heuristic for creating model readers. It is argued that Paul's use of the Scriptures of Israel in the beginning of Romans functions thematically in an effort for Paul to set forth a normative means of how his letter ought to be interpreted. This thesis aims to offer a brief interpretation of the exodus event, how it came to be a motif, and its variegated (re)use and transformation in Second Temple literature. By using the exodus motif(s) as a pretext this thesis examines the beginning of Paul's letter to the Romans highlighting how the exodus theme is used in an effort to maintain continuity with the Jewish past and to offer a rational for Paul's own vocation - the inclusion of the nations into the people of God. Paul was thus not about the business of settling disputes between Judean and non-Judean Christians, but rather about securing the obedience of faith among the nations. One of the main means of securing the nation's obedience in Rome was by the proclamation of his good news over against the competing claims of Caesar and the Roman imperial order, here again we find the exodus motif to be a very helpful tool in exploring this phenomenon. This thesis operates using aspects of literary theory, especially that of Intertextuality. Intertextuality is used as an umbrella for a variety of different and distinctive possible ways which texts can be read, and consequently understood. No specific theory of intertextuality is chosen to examine these texts, rather a broad intertextual reading is used as a means of showing the possibilities contained within a text.