The New Testament
A Historical and Theological Introduction
Chapter
22. Letters in the Hellenistic World
Questions for Review
- Why is it important to understand Hellenistic letters generally with regard to the study of the NT?
- Explain the distinction that Deissmann makes between epistles and letters. In which category do Paul鈥檚 writings fit, according to Deissmann?
- What is the basic form of a Hellenistic letter?
- How are the structures of a Pauline letter and a Hellenistic letter similar?
- What are some of the aspects of Paul鈥檚 letters that set them apart from Hellenistic letters?
- Of the other documents in the NT considered to be letters or epistles, how many fit well within the Hellenistic letter form?
- What do the terms 鈥済eneral鈥 and 鈥渃atholic鈥 indicate about certain letters and/or epistles in the NT?
- How is the word 鈥渞hetoric鈥 used within this chapter?
- How is the probatio section of a Hellenistic letter sometimes subdivided?
- What are the three basic types of rhetorical discourse?