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  • From: Frich107 AT aol.com
  • To: corpus-paul AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Corpus-Paul] Ethos and Paul
  • Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 11:13:03 EST

Dear Jerry,

Thanks for your E-mail, and the comments you make below. I thought that it might be worthwhile to clarify my study a little to explain my 'power/authority paradigm', as you put it.


Overall, I wonder if the "power/authority" paradigm is most helpful in
analyzing Pauline texts.  His use of ethos is intended to be persuasive and
to grant him credibility so that others will listen to him.  If that is an
exercise of power, and I am willing to acknowldege that it is, that does not
mean something has gone wrong.  Perhaps an interesting twist would be to
think about what uses of power Paul would think compatible with the gospel.

My interest in the power/authority question comes out of an interest in how decisions are made within structures, particularly the early Jesus movement. I take the view that Max Weber did that power and authority are separate entities that can be distinguished from one another. Power is something that is exerted by a leader over others who have no alternatives other than to obey or face the consequences (this is a little basic, but hopefully encapsulates the gist of this position). Authority is that which is given to the leader by those whom they command. The actual ability to bring about change is not located in the leader, but rather in those who chose to follow that person's lead. I have also taken on board nuances from the work of Michel Foucault, and a handful of political scientists, amongst others.

However, I am quite prepared to accept that Paul uses a mixture of the two in order to bring about certain 'results' in the congregations to whom he writes. Hence I am interested in Paul's use of ethos as an argumentation style, as this is likely to indicate a use of power, rather than authority, as you say. On the other hand, it may be there to evoke a sense of respect for him in those to whom he writes, hence forming an authority type power relation. The area of ethos is one that I have not currently considered, hence I am trying to include this so as not to miss what could potentially be a very important indicator of Paul's methodolgy. It would also help me to analyse the validity or legitimacy of his arguments and claims of allegiance.

Your final comment is one that I think I will try to adress within the last part of my thesis (space allowing), so for the moment I don't feel able to comment other than to say that I agree that it is an important, and interesting, question.

Regards,

Fred Rich
Ph.D. student,
Department of Biblical Studies,
University of Sheffield



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