Origen’s Biblical Interpretation and Classical Forensic Rhetoric
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 23475191 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Geoffrey David Dunn (0000-0001-5880-1351, University of Pretoria, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2022 |
| Pages | 143-159 |
| Publication date | 2022-03-18 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | CHAPTER |
| Venue | Oxford Handbook of Origen (SOURCE_BOOK) |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199684038.013.9 |
| OpenAlex | W4224075000 |
| ISBN | 9780199684038 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 15 |
This chapter investigates the presence of classical rhetoric in Origen’s Commentarium in Epistolam ad Romanos. While others suggest that in a genre devoted to exposition rather than persuasion we should not expect to find rhetorical techniques, the position adopted here is that even exposition is an exercise in persuasion. While it is true that there is little ethos or pathos in this commentary, there are many elements of rational argumentation present. Origen’s commentary was directed against Marcionite and Valentinian Gnostic opponents in which Origen took up the conjectural issue to defend the idea of human free will and refute Gnostic determinism. We also find Origen’s reading of Romans being opposed to anthropomorphism. The work has a forensic quality to it in parts, although a great deal of it does not have an identifiable opponent. Even when Origen attempted to reconcile conflicting passages he was engaged in a typical rhetorical tactic.
Argumentation theory · Art · Epistemology · Ethos · Exposition (narrative) · Interpretation (philosophy) · Linguistics · Literature · Pathos · Persuasion · Rhetoric · Rhetorical question · Classical Antiquity Studies · Classical Philosophy and Thought · Organic Chemistry Synthesis Methods · Philosophy
| Highly cited | No |
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