The origin of the New Testament metaphor of rebirth
Part I deals with the imagery of rebirth in Hellenism. The metaphor was widely-used in the common speech - we collect over 280 examples - and it is therefore possible that the New Testament writers drew their rebirth imagery from the common speech. But there is not one text which proves that in pre-Christian times rebirth was a technical metaphor of any Mystery cult. Part II discusses the New Testament rebirth passages. Rebirth is a metaphor for conversion, not baptism. It is the fulfillment of the eschatological promise for a Spiritual regeneration and is equivalent to a ~birth from God.~ The New Testament verses seem to draw the metaphor out of a Jewish milieu. Î Î±Î"ÎčÎłÎłÎ"vsÏiÌÎ± in Titus 315 does not mean ~rebirth~ but ~regeneration~ and so it, as well as James 1:18, are not examples of rebirth imagery. Part III argues that Judaism provides the attitudes, concepts, and metaphors from which the Christian metaphor of rebirth could have developed. We note especially the metaphors of a proselyte being like a ~newborn babe~ and ~birth from God~ (especially Ps 2:7). The latter contains, implicitly, the idea of rebirth. The conclusion offers two possible historical reconstructions of the metaphor's formulation.
Mounce, William D.
Philosophy
The origin of the New Testament metaphor of rebirth. Part I deals with the imagery of rebirth in Hellenism. The metaphor was widely-used in the common speech - we collect over 280 examples - and it is therefore possible that the New Testament writers drew their rebirth imagery from the common speech. But there is not one text which proves that in pre-Christian times rebirth was a technical metaphor of any Mystery cult. Part II discusses the New Testament rebirth passages. Rebirth is a metaphor for conversion, not baptism. It is the fulfillment of the eschatological promise for a Spiritual regeneration and is equivalent to a ~birth from God.~ The New Testament verses seem to draw the metaphor out of a Jewish milieu. Î Î±Î"ÎčÎłÎłÎ"vsÏiÌÎ± in Titus 315 does not mean ~rebirth~ but ~regeneration~ and so it, as well as James 1:18, are not examples of rebirth imagery. Part III argues that Judaism provides the attitudes, concepts, and metaphors from which the Christian metaphor of rebirth could have developed. We note especially the metaphors of a proselyte being like a ~newborn babe~ and ~birth from God~ (especially Ps 2:7). The latter contains, implicitly, the idea of rebirth. The conclusion offers two possible historical reconstructions of the metaphor's formulation.
origin new_testament metaphor rebirth part_deal imagery rebirth hellenism metaphor widely used common speech collect example therefore possible new_testament writer draw rebirth imagery common speech text prove pre_christian time rebirth technical metaphor mystery cult part_discuss new_testament rebirth passage rebirth metaphor conversion baptism fulfillment eschatological promise spiritual regeneration equivalent birth god new_testament verse seem draw metaphor jewish milieu mean rebirth regeneration well james examples rebirth imagery part_iii argue judaism provide attitude concept metaphor christian metaphor rebirth could_develop note especially metaphor like birth god especially latter contains implicitly idea rebirth conclusion offer possible historical_reconstruction metaphor formulation