Bibliography
| Title: The Motiv of Parresia in Acts Type: Thesis Year: 1993 Abstract: "The purpose of this dissertation is to contribute to the understanding of the Acts of the Apostles through an analysis of the motif of parresia. A narratological methodology, presented in chapter two, was used to examine parresia as it portrays the major characters in Acts. The tool of characterization was modified to examine the trait parresia throughout Acts. Motif analysis was used to gather the characteristics of parresia which were found recurrent in Acts. Chapter three was an examination of non-biblical literature to aid in the formation of the definition of parresia from which analysis of parresia in Acts proceeded. In the category of non-Jewish Hellenistic writings, Demosthenes, Isocrates, and Dio Chrysostom were examined regarding their usage of parresia. In the category of Hellenistic Jewish writings, Philo and Josephus were examined. In the New Testament, the Johannine writings, Pauline writings, and Hebrews were examined. In chapter four, the passages in Acts where parresia is used explicitly to describe characters were analyzed. The descriptions of speech, action, environment and external appearance of the witnesses characterized by parresia provided data by which the motif of parresia in Acts was described. In chapter five, the same approach was taken as in chapter four except the passages studied did not include the explicit usage of the term parresia. The motif of parresia was found to characterize the Spirit-filled witness of the Christians against opposition. The witness was courageous, bold, confident of the veracity of its message, and unhindered against the threat of punishment and death. The motif substantiates the gospel message as being truthful and vindicates the witnesses by bestowing on them a virtuous trait. The motif serves the purpose of furthering the aim in Acts to advance the gospel. This aim is met with an external audience by engendering respect for the Christians and authenticating their message. With an internal audience. The motif encourages increased attention to faithful witness on the part of the Christian". Keywords: New Testament / Early Christianity |