31st Annual Student Research Conference
The Pauline Dialectic in The Epistle of Romans: Its Background, Literary Expression, and Theological Implication
Chunyu He
Dr. Mark Appold and Dr. Jennifer Jesse , Faculty Mentors
This study shows that Pauline dialectic, usually performed through the use of both rhetorical questions and intended contradictions, is the necessary literary device that Paul uses in his epistle addressed to the early Roman church. His purpose is to promote a new Christian faith to the readers, clarify common misunderstandings for them, and lay out his theology by refuting the presumptions and logic of First-Century Judaism, Greco-Roman Paganism. Based on the difficult conditions of the early Jesus movement, Paul’s own life experience and his passion for spreading the new faith in that time period, the urgency and the usefulness of using dialectical writing style is clear: it can best serve the goals of both evangelism and apologetics --- Paul’s main purpose in the letter to the Romans.
Keywords: Paul, Dialectic, Rhetoric , Romans, History, Theology, Early Church
Topic(s):Philosophy & Religion
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 310-4
Location: VH 1224
Time: 1:45