The polemic of the Pastorals : a sociological examination of the development of Pauline Christianity / Lloyd K. Pietersen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Pietersen, Lloyd.

Series:

Journal for the study of the New Testament. Supplement series ; 264.

Journal for the study of the New Testament. Supplement series ; 264

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Church history--Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600.

Church history.

Church history--Primitive and early church.

Bible. Pastoral Epistles.

Bible.

Physical Description:

viii, 182 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : T & T Clark, [2004]

Summary:

Much historical-critical work on the opponents in the Pastoral Epistles has resulted in sweeping generalizations concerning their Jewish and/or Gnostic nature. Literary analyses have been somewhat more promising in focusing on the stereotypical nature of the polemic, but either fail to do justice to the urgency of the language in the Pastorals or do not provide a convincing description of the opponents. Here Pietersen approaches the problem of the opponents from a socio-scientific perspective. Utilizing labeling theory and social control theory from the sociology of deviance, he argues that the Pastorals function as a literary version of a status degradation ceremony whereby previously influential insiders within the community are transformed into outsiders.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [164]-173) and index.

ISBN:

0567081834

OCLC:

55143788