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Paul's Theology of Preaching: The Apostle's Challenge to the Art of Persuasion in Ancient Corinth, By Duane Litfin

Paul's Theology of Preaching

The Apostle's Challenge to the Art of Persuasion in Ancient Corinth

by Duane Litfin

Paul's Theology of Preaching
Paperback
$46.99
  • Length: 400 pages
  • Dimensions: 6 × 9 in
  • Published: June 22, 2015
  • Imprint: IVP Academic
  • ISBN: 9780830824717
Other Formats:

"We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." When Paul preached about the crucified and risen Jesus Christ to the church at Corinth and elsewhere, did he follow the well-established rhetorical strategy of his day or did he pursue a different path? And what does that mean for the preaching of the church today? Through a detailed analysis of 1 Corinthians 1-4, Duane Litfin explores the rhetorical context of Paul's preaching and his own understanding of his task as a preacher. What is revealed in this investigation is a sharp distinction between Greco-Roman rhetorical strategies, which sought to persuade, and Paul's theology of preaching, which was based on the model of an obedient herald. This revised and expanded version of Litfin's previous St. Paul's Theology of Proclamation will provide insight to those engaged in Pauline and New Testament studies, rhetorical theory, and Greco-Roman studies. Moreover, by offering a better understanding of Paul's method as well as the content of his declaration concerning "the power and wisdom of God" revealed in Jesus, this book will help preachers as they undertake the ongoing task to "preach Christ crucified."

REVIEWS

"Culminating an illustrious career as a pastor, professor and college president, Dr. Duane Litfin delivers his magnum opus in Paul's Theology of Preaching. This is ecclesial theology at its finest: scholarly yet not arcane, theological yet not obscure, relevant yet not cookie-cutter. This isn't simply an excellent book on Paul's theology of preaching; it's a prophetic call to a radically God-centered approach to Christian ministry."Todd Wilson, senior pastor, Calvary Memorial Church, cofounder and chairman, The Center for Pastor Theologians, author of Real Christian
"Duane Litfin has identified in Paul and 1 Corinthians 1–4 the kind of rhetoric that I can wholeheartedly endorse. This is not a rhetoric of persuasion that is cozying up to those in Corinth, but Paul is demonstrating a rhetoric of proclamation that relies upon the Holy Spirit for response. This book provides an important introduction to preaching and rhetoric that makes crystal clear that Paul was doing something very different from the rhetoricians around him. Litfin also provides numerousimportant practical implications and observations. I think that both scholars and pastors will benefit greatly from reading this book."Stanley E. Porter, president, dean and professor of New Testament, Roy A. Hope Chair in Christian Worldview, McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
"Compelling. Insightful. Timely. A landmark book. Writing for theologians, pastors and students, Dr. Litfin harvests the fruit from more than forty years of focused study, showing the difference between the results-oriented persuader and the faithful herald. In a world where the biblical preacher has too often been replaced by the shrewd marketer, the magnetic entertainer and the 'change-the-world campaign strategist,' this book is desperately needed."Colin Smith, senior pastor, The Orchard EFC, president, Unlocking the Bible
"In this wise—and provocative—study of Paul, Duane Litfin demonstrates that the apostle's intended meaning has often been seriously obscured by seeing him as engaged in various 'rhetorical ploys.' Making his case with a thorough grasp of ancient rhetoric, as well as with a profound commitment to the church's call to proclaim the gospel with clarity, Litfin exposes the confusion in the kind of preaching that aims at 'results' rather than being founded in an uncompromising desire to be obedient to the biblical text."Richard J. Mouw, president emeritus and professor of faith and public life, Fuller Theological Seminary
"This book does something too little seen in biblical studies today: it brings together deep learning and contemporary pastoral wisdom. A fresh look at Paul's theology of preaching and what it means for our proclamation of the gospel today."Timothy George, founding dean of Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, general editor of the Reformation Commentary on Scripture
"Paul's disavowal of the use of rhetoric in 1 Corinthians 1:17-21 has perplexed interpreters and spurred considerable debate in recent years. Duane Litfin examines this passage in the context of Greco-Roman rhetorical practice and generates a veryconvincing thesis. He argues that in his evangelism Paul rejects using rhetorical techniques to persuade his listeners of the truth of the gospel because he does not want their faith to be based on his creative arguments. Rather, he proclaims the gospel, allowing the Holy Spirit to generate faith in the hearts of those who are open to belief. The Holy Spirit, not persuasive arguments, provides a firm ground for faith. Litfin's carefully nuanced study of 1 Corinthians 1–4 in its first-century context provides not only the most plausible interpretation of Paul's disavowal of rhetorical usage to date, but also a model for preaching that is aware of the call and commission of the human herald and the Holy Spirit's role in opening the heart ofthe hearer to the proclamation of the gospel."Duane F. Watson, professor of New Testament studies, Malone University, Canton, OH
"In Paul's Theology of Preaching, Duane Litfin sets forth the Greco-Roman context of ancient Corinth, where the citizens of the city regarded themselves as 'connoisseurs of eloquence.' . . . It was a context where the Apostle Paul's preaching simply did not measure up—and came under withering criticism from some in the Corinthian church. The apostle's resulting defense set it down once and for all that those who preach the gospel are called to proclamation, not rhetorical persuasion.As such, it provides a needed corrective to preachers who uncritically assume that their calling is to persuade their hearers of the gospel. This important, beautifully written book deserves careful reading and wide discussion in the church and theacademy."R. Kent Hughes, senior pastor emeritus of College Church in Wheaton, IL
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CONTENTS

List of Excurses
Preface
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Introduction
Part I: Greco-Roman Rhetoric
1. The Beginnings
2. The Goal of Rhetoric
3. The Power of Rhetoric
4. The Reach ofRhetoric
5. The Genius of Rhetoric
6. The Appraisal of Rhetoric
7. The Hazards of Rhetoric
8. The Rewards of Rhetoric
9. The Grand Equation of Rhetoric
Part II: 1 Corinthians 1—4
10. Paul andRhetoric in Corinth
11. The Setting of 1 Corinthians 1—4
12. Paul's Argument Introduced: 1 Corinthians 1:1-17
13. Paul's Argument Begun: 1 Corinthians 1:17-20
14. Paul's Argument Encapsulated: 1 Corinthians 1:21
15. Paul's Argument Continued: 1 Corinthians 1:22—2:5
16. Paul's Argument Completed: 1 Corinthians 2:6—4:21
Part III: Summary and Analysis
17. Paul's Ministry Model
18. Final Questions
19. Appropriate Strategies
20. Conclusion: The Pauline Model
Appendix One: Paul, Apollos and Philo
Appendix Two: The Book of Acts
Appendix Three: Paul's Epistemology
Appendix Four: Implications for Preaching
Appendix Five: Broader Implications
Works Cited
Author Index
Scripture Index

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ABOUT Duane Litfin

Duane Litfin

Duane Litfin (DPhil, Oxford University; PhD, Purdue University) is president emeritus of Wheaton College, where he served for seventeen years. He is the author of numerous articles and books, including most recently Conceiving the Christian College and Word vs. Deed: Resetting the Scales to a Biblical Balance.

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