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New Testament Rhetoric: An Introductory Guide to the Art of Persuasion in and of the New Testament is unavailable, but you can change that!

This much-needed introduction to the ancient art of persuasion as it is used in the New Testament doesn’t only explore the use of the rhetorical tools and devices, it introduces everything ancient speakers and writers used to convince their audiences. New Testament scholar Ben Witherington argues that rhetorical criticism is a more fruitful approach to the New Testament epistles than literary and...

What is revealing about the predilection for deliberative rhetoric in the NT is that it suggests that the orator believes the audience is free to respond positively or not and, therefore, needs to be persuaded. In other words, good evangelism and good preaching involved persuasion, not manipulation and strong-arm tactics. It may well be very revealing that Paul repeatedly called the house meetings of Christians meetings of the ekklēsia—formerly the term for the democratic assembly; now the term for
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