1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910792454103321

Autore

Tite Philip L. <1969->

Titolo

Valentinian ethics and paraenetic discourse [[electronic resource] ] : determining the social function of moral exhortation in Valentinian Christianity / / by Philip L. Tite

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Leiden ; ; Boston, : Brill, 2009

ISBN

1-282-60320-5

9786612603204

90-474-2852-8

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (384 p.)

Collana

Nag Hammadi and Manichaean studies ; ; v. 67

Disciplina

273/.1

Soggetti

Valentinians

Christian moral exhortation

Christian ethics

Moral exhortation

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Revision of author's thesis (Ph. D.)--McGill University, 2005.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

Nota di contenuto

Introduction -- Constructing social identity through discourse : a socio-rhetorical approach for the study of Valentinian paraenesis -- Defining paraenesis I : historical phases within the academic study of paraenesis -- Defining paraenesis II : towards a functional understanding of paraenesis -- Literary aspects of paraenesis : indicators of moral exhortation from the Greco-Roman world within Valentinianism -- Two schools and the call to reconciliation : literary and social aspects of moral exhortation in the Interpretation of knowledge -- Existing in error : literary and social aspects of moral exhortation in the Gospel of truth -- Conclusion.

Sommario/riassunto

Offering a fresh assessment of the presence and function of paraenesis within Valentinianism, this book places Valentinian moral exhortation within the context of early Christian moral discourse. Like other early Christians, Valentinians were not only interested in ethics, but used moral exhortation to discursively shape social identity. Building on the increasing recognition of ethical and communal concerns reflected in the Nag Hammadi sources, this book advances the discussion by



elucidating the social rhetoric within, especially, the Gospel of Truth and the Interpretation of Knowledge . The social function of paraenesis is to persuade an audience through social re-presentation. The authors of these texts discursively position their readers, and themselves, within engaging moments of narrativity. It is hoped that this study will encourage greater integration of research between those working on the Nag Hammadi material and those studying early Christian paraenetic discourse.