The relationship between theology and ethics in the Letter to the Ephesians
The Letter to the Ephesians is comprised of two distinct parts that can be labelled ~theology~ (Ephesians 1-3) and ~ethics~ (Ephesians 4-6). These sections are, however, difficult to reconcile with each other. The moral exhortations of the paraenesis are not directly and argumentatively derived from the theological narrative. Although Ephesians is a letter, epistolary analysis does not lead to an explanation of how the ~theological~ and ~ethical~ sections can be integrated. A rhetorical critical examination, however, provides a new angle of interpretation that shows a way through the difficulties of explaining how the two halves of the letter are related to each other. Ephesians is a document that can be designated as ~sermon~. As a ~sermon~ it is a combination of epideictic and deliberative rhetorical genres that does not address a specific issue or controversy. It speaks to a Christian audience that is not expected to make critical decisions based on argumentation within the ~sermon,~ but rather is reminded of, impressed with, and identifies with certain theological concepts. A frame of mind is thereby developed among the audience members that makes them receptive to the moral exhortations contained in the
Jeal, Roy Roger
Pauline theology
The relationship between theology and ethics in the Letter to the Ephesians. The Letter to the Ephesians is comprised of two distinct parts that can be labelled ~theology~ (Ephesians 1-3) and ~ethics~ (Ephesians 4-6). These sections are, however, difficult to reconcile with each other. The moral exhortations of the paraenesis are not directly and argumentatively derived from the theological narrative. Although Ephesians is a letter, epistolary analysis does not lead to an explanation of how the ~theological~ and ~ethical~ sections can be integrated. A rhetorical critical examination, however, provides a new angle of interpretation that shows a way through the difficulties of explaining how the two halves of the letter are related to each other. Ephesians is a document that can be designated as ~sermon~. As a ~sermon~ it is a combination of epideictic and deliberative rhetorical genres that does not address a specific issue or controversy. It speaks to a Christian audience that is not expected to make critical decisions based on argumentation within the ~sermon,~ but rather is reminded of, impressed with, and identifies with certain theological concepts. A frame of mind is thereby developed among the audience members that makes them receptive to the moral exhortations contained in the
relationship theology_ethic letter ephesians letter ephesians comprise_two distinct part label theology ephesians ethics ephesians section however difficult reconcile other moral exhortation paraenesis directly derived theological narrative although ephesians letter epistolary analysis lead explanation theological ethical section integrate rhetorical critical_examination however provide_new angle interpretation show_way difficulty explain half letter relate other ephesians document designate sermon sermon combination deliberative rhetorical genre address specific_issue controversy speaks christian audience expect make critical decision base argumentation within sermon rather remind impressed identifies certain theological_concept frame mind thereby develop among audience member make receptive moral exhortation contain