Routledge The Tapestry of Early Christian Discourse: Rhetoric, Society and Ideology

This study establishes a concept of culture and then combines it with Geertz' anthropological concept of thick description. Subsequently, the relation of texts to society and culture is discussed. In this manner, multiple methods of interpretation are used in an organized and programmatic way, allowing the reader insights into the development of early Christianity. In this study, Vernon Robbins expounds and develops his system of socio-rhetorical criticism, bringing together social-scientific and literary-critical approaches to explore early Christanity. This book investigates Christianity as a cultural phenomenon, and treats its canonical texts as ideological constructs. Review 'The arenas which Robbins outlines and explores form the basis of a valuable and integrated approach to textual interpretation, and the aim of drawing together literary-rhetorical and social-scientific methods is both timely and important.' - Expository Times'New Testament scholars, and interpreters of the Bible in general, ought to be glad of this book ... Robbins has now written an extremely significant new book offering a method whose entire vision is shot through with the belief that things can be different ... Robbins' work constitutes a significant turning point in biblical studies and the sooner it is reckoned with, the better.' - Stephen W. Need, Reviews in Religion and Theology'Whether perspective or method, Robbins' socio-rhetorical analysis suggests a promising journey in the study of Early Christian texts.' - Science El Esprit'If you find the questions raised by Professor Robbins irresistible, then he offers a scholarly and demanding analysis which makes many connections between a rich variety of recent approaches to the Bible.' - Robin Gill, Church Times