
Timothy's Task, Paul's Prospect
A New Reading of 2 Timothy
Craig A. Smith(Author)
Sheffield Phoenix Press
Published on 18. September 2006
Book
Hardback
280 pages
978-1-905048-29-8 (ISBN)
Description
In this challenging book, Craig Smith propounds the novel thesis that the famous lines in 2 Timothy 4 where 'Paul' announces that the time of his departure has come have been misunderstood. This is no farewell speech, Smith avers, and Paul is not intending to pass on the baton to his younger colleague, Timothy.
Deploying epistolary analysis and rhetorical criticism, Smith shows that these verses (4.1-8) do not have the literary structure or the vocabulary of a testament or a farewell; rather, they are a 'charge', an authoritative command, comprised of five specific formal elements. This charge form is found also in the exorcism command and in some magical texts, Christian and non-Christian.
From this perspective, Paul's being poured out as a libation is his experience of preaching to the Gentiles at his first trial, his 'departure' is the imminent release from prison that he is expecting, the fight he has fought and the race he has finished are his trial that he has withstood. Far from appointing Timothy as his successor, he is contemplating a continued companionship and collegiality as they continue their ministry together.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Sheffield
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Laminated cover
Illustrations
black & white illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
587 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-905048-29-8 (9781905048298)
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Schweitzer Classification