Paul on the Human Vocation: Reason Language in Romans and Ancient Philosophical Tradition

Simon Dürr

Open Access Published by De Gruyter 2021

Paul on the Human Vocation

Reason Language in Romans and Ancient Philosophical Tradition

Simon Dürr
Funded by: Schweizerischer Nationalfonds (SNF)

Volume 226 in the series Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft

https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110750560

Overview
Contents

About this book

Paul’s use of λογικὴ λατρεία in Rom 12.1 has long fascinated and puzzled interpreters. This study proposes a new explanation of Paul’s reason language in Rom 12.1 based on a detailed investigation of ancient philosophical texts on the role of human beings in the cosmos, in which reason language and the idea of a vocation of human beings are closely connected. It argues that Paul here appeals to the idea of a human vocation in order to claim that Christ-followers are able to fulfil their human vocation by living in such a way that their lives produce signs of the new creation inaugurated in Christ.
This case is made by establishing the central role of reason in ancient discourse on what it means to be human more broadly, and in particular in Epictetus, who provides the clearest parallel for Romans. These contextualisations allow for a fresh reading of Paul’s argument in Romans, where the relevance of these traditions is shown, not least for how Rom 12.1–2 frames Rom 12–15.
The study thus contributes to the recent scholarly trend of exploring Paul in ancient philosophical contexts and advances the discussion on the integration of Paul’s “theology” and “ethics” within an ancient cultural encyclopedia.

Author / Editor information

Simon Dürr, Fribourg University, Switzerland.

Topics

Frontmatter Open Access Download PDF	I
Acknowledgements Open Access Download PDF	V
Contents Open Access Download PDF	VII
1 Introduction to the problem 1.1 The problem: Why does Paul use reason language in Rom 12.1? Open Access Download PDF	1
2 The semantics of λογικός and the definition of human beings Open Access Download PDF	24
3 The wider Greco-Roman discourse on being human and the idea of a human role in the cosmos Open Access Download PDF	91
4 Epictetus and the idea of a human calling based on human reason Open Access Download PDF	134
5 Romans as a letter about being human Open Access Download PDF	176
6 Rom 12.1–2 as an exhortation to genuine humanness Open Access Download PDF	230
7 The vision of integrated (missional) existence in Rom 12–15 Open Access Download PDF	267
8 Paul on the human vocation: Concluding summary Open Access Download PDF	293
Abbreviations and Conventions Open Access Download PDF	299
Literature Open Access Download PDF	301
Indexes Open Access Download PDF	314

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter
Audience: Theologians; New Testament Scholars, Scholars in Philosophy
Pages
- Front matter: 12
- Main content: 327
Keywords: Pauline Anthropology; Paul; Epictetus; Paul in Philosophical Context

eBook

Published: November 8, 2021
ISBN: 9783110750560

Hardcover

Published: November 22, 2021
ISBN: 9783110750539