The aim of Paul’s letter to the Philippians has been understood in various ways: e.g. reassurance, consolation, advance of the gospel. This thesis presents a new analysis of Philippians that challenges these proposals and offers a new way of thinking about Paul’s overarching argumentative aim in this letter. After demonstrating the need to examine three areas (viz. moral philosophy, athletics, and vivid speech) in an historical analysis of Philippians and addressing methodological issues pertinent to this investigation (Part I), I turn to map out the historical context relevant for this project (Part II): viz. the broad structure of thought in ancient moral philosophy, ancient athletics and its association with virtue, and the use of vivid description to persuade an audience. The final part of this thesis (Part III) is an exegetical analysis of Philippians that interprets the letter in light of the contextual material discussed in Part II, exploring how this contextual material contributes to and is interrelated in Paul’s persuasive appeal to morally form the Philippian Christians in a particular way. In this analysis I argue that Paul’s pattern of thought in Philippians is structured similarly to the broad structure of thought in ancient moral philosophy, which is oriented toward an ultimate τέλος and views the virtues as necessary in attaining this goal. Paul’s use of athletic language, framing his argument in the letter (1:27–30; 4:3), fills out this perspective on life by presenting the nature of Christian existence in terms of a contest of virtue, which is similar to how moral philosophers used this language. This perspective on life is vividly depicted and summed up in the image of the runner in Phil 3:13–14. As a vivid description this imagery would have had a powerfully persuasive effect and rhetorically plays a significant role in Paul’s argument. With this imagery, Paul is presenting himself as striving toward Christ, the τέλος of life, which entails thinking and living in a particular way to make progress toward this goal—the final attainment of which is complete transformation to become like Christ. It is this vivid description of the runner that encapsulates Paul’s overarching argumentative aim in the letter, persuading the Philippians to pursue Christ as the τέλος of life.

This thesis 1) argues that Paul's use of the boasting motif in Philippians (1:26; 2:16; cf. 3:3) presents a mutual boast in which three parties participate: Paul, the Philippians, and God/Christ, and 2) demonstrates that such mutual boasting is both theologically warranted and culturally intelligible. The theological warrant for mutual boasting or honor appears through attending to the wider contexts of the Scriptural texts to which Paul alludes in the key exhortation section of the epistle (2:12-16), most importantly his allusion to Deut 32:5 in Phil 2:15 and to Isa 49:4 in Phil 2:16. The wider context of Deut 32 includes reference to the covenant ceremony at the close of the law-code (Deut 26:16-19), where mutual honor appears in the relationship established between YHWH and Israel, with Israel being exalted to become a καύχημα for YHWH (Deut 26:19 LXX). The wider context of Isa 49:4 incorporates the important motif of the reward of the Servant (Isa 49:4b; 53:12), whose calling to facilitate Israel's glorious restoration (42:6-9; 49:6), though his labor was “in vain” (49:4), gains YHWH's promise that the Servant himself will be glorified (49:5). By drawing on both of these Scriptural contexts Paul presents the mutual honor arising from the Philippians' obedience as the eschatologically restored “children of God” (Phil 2:15) as engendering a καύχημα that is mutually shared between themselves (cf. 3:21), God who receives the glory from their righteousness (1:11), and Paul as the servant figure whose labor among them is now “not in vain” (2:16). This presentation of mutual boasting would also have been culturally intelligible in light of the nature of friendship and family relationships in the Roman world of first-century Philippi. Paul presents his relationship with the Philippians in terms both reminiscent of friendship and overtly drawn from kinship relations (cf. ἀδελφοί in 1:12, 14; 3:1, 13, 17; 4:1). In the Greco-Roman world, these two relational paradigms were conspicuous in their promotion of mutual honor, since friends were expected to work toward each other's honor, as were brothers. In view of the cultural expectation of sharing honor, friends and brothers were also able to deploy the reality of mutual honor for the purpose of exhortation, as can be seen in the rhetoric of Roman letter writers. In particular, Cicero, Seneca, and Fronto presuppose in their letters the motivational power that appealing to a regard for mutual honor has when issuing advice or commands. It is in the final chapter of this study that we treat Paul's motivation of the Philippians towards obedience by drawing on this cultural script of mutual honor as the “vehicle” for communicating his theology, appealing to such mutual honor at 2:16 to motivate the Philippians to “work out their salvation with fear and trembling” (2:12) and to “do all things without grumbling or disputing” (2:14).

Thesis advisor: John R. Sachs / This thesis is concerned with ecotheology and theological anthropology, in general, and in particular, with the interpretation of the imago Dei motif as a source of ecological commitment. More specifically, it is an exploration of the theological idea of kenosis as one meaningful, sound, and timely understanding of imago Dei within the context of the current ecological crisis. Although criticized for its alleged anthropocentric overtones, the notion of imago Dei should not be put aside or silenced, but rather reinterpreted. Understood as kenosis, it is a source and not a hindrance for ecological concern and ethical commitment inasmuch as it elicits a fruitful understanding of humanity. Therefore, this dissertation occurs at the intersection between ecotheology and theological anthropology, or in other words it is a theological exploration within the domain of theological anthropology through an ecological lens. Chapter one traces the appearance of ecotheology within contemporary theological reflection, its assessment of the ecological crisis, and the different models or strategies that theologians have explored in order to link ecological challenges and theology. After defining both “ecology” and “ecological crisis”, and identifying some of the manifestations of the latter, the chapter examines the specific rationale of ecotheology and shows how and why it calls into question three main assumptions of classic theological anthropology, namely, the dignity, uniqueness, and role of humanity within creation. It provides a clear understanding of the status of ecotheology, its particular rationale, and its challenge to standard theological anthropology. Chapter two turns to the interpretation of imago Dei. First, it characterizes and assesses three main historical lines of interpretation: essentialist, functionalist, and relational, which can summarize and group the contributions of those who have offered a theological understanding of imago Dei. Then, the chapter proposes the notion of kenosis as one sound, meaningful and timely interpretation of this theological motif. Defined as both making-room or self-limitation and self-giving or self-emptying love, kenosis is portrayed through its biblical and systematic usage. The chapter argues that kenosis discloses something crucial about God’s agency within creation and about Jesus Christ as revelatory of true humanity. Consequently, it can be considered as an inspiring and significant anthropological notion in the context of the current ecological crisis. Kenosis not only connects the three classic interpretations of imago Dei, but it also serves them as a specifier, inasmuch as it provides concrete content and a precise direction for understanding humanity as created in the image of God. The chapter ends dealing with the main critiques which have been addressed to kenosis as a meaningful notion for theological anthropology. Chapter three is a constructive one. It explores the fruitfulness of kenosis and its ability to shed light upon humanity through the three dimensions of ecology: personal, social, and environmental. It shows the inspiring character of kenosis as an anthropological image which helps to shape people’s imagination, and the way believers portray and make practical sense of the Christian depiction of humanity. First, after highlighting the necessity of ecological conversion and a new ethos, the chapter proposes the notions of limit and asceticism as two important anthropological features that kenosis offers to personal ecology, and that may inspire us in searching and discerning new ways of life. Then, the chapter addresses the issue of the images that may help us in our searching for and voicing new ways of social interaction and life. The concept of “civilization of poverty” coined by philosopher Ignacio Ellacuría is particularly examined. Rooted in the social dimension of ecology, this concept is in tune with the twofold movement of kenosis of self-limitation and self-giving love. Finally, the chapter shows how kenosis offers a corrective to the notion of stewardship and enhances what is better in it. Inasmuch as the former in its double meaning of self-limitation and self-giving love entails clear practical consequences, it complements greatly the latter, which has become a sort of default position for many theologians. It is shown how this alliance between these two images heightens what is good in each of them, in order to inspire us in discerning and embodying an ecologically friendly lifestyle. / Thesis (STD) — Boston College, 2017. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry. / Discipline: Sacred Theology.

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2017-05-25T13:55:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Paul Okoth Auma.pdf: 975742 bytes, checksum: f7e14e88b9c637ff0b599f7c744bf5f5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-25T13:55:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Paul Okoth Auma.pdf: 975742 bytes, checksum: f7e14e88b9c637ff0b599f7c744bf5f5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-04-28 / This exegetical-theological investigation under the synchronic aspect has as general objective to analyze and verify how the resource of the periautology present in the epistle to the Philippians contributes to the understanding of the discipleship described by the writer throughout his missionary journey. The study seeks to present, specifically, the excerpts with periautological expressions in order to understand the reason why Paul insists on the apparently rhetorical expressions. This research intends to analyze the expressions, to elucidate the rhetorical situations of the resource, and to compare other pericopes that present the same rhetorical style. To begin with, a general survey of the letter is conducted, discussing the perennial questions in an updatedmanner. The hypotheses about the recurring polemics about the place where the letter was written, the question of the date of the writing, and the question of its unity will be confronted. The research aims to explain the question of periautology focusing on the mimesis of the model disciple. Furthermore, it seeks to investigate and present the theological consequences arising from the phrases specifically contained in the pericope of Philippians 1,12-26 to better ground Christian discipleship / Esta investigação exegético-teológica sob o aspecto sincrônico tem como objetivo geral analisar e verificar como o recurso da periautologia presente na carta aos Filipenses contribui para compreender o discipulado descrito por Paulo ao longo de sua trajetória missionária. O estudo apresenta, concretamente, os trechos com expressões periautológicas com o objetivo de aprofundar a razão pela qual Paulo insiste no recurso. Esta pesquisa pretende analisaras expressões, elucidar as situações retóricas do recurso, ecomparar outras perícopes que apresentam o mesmo estilo retórico. No primeiro momento, realiza-se uma pesquisa geral sobre a carta discutindo de forma atualizada as questões perenes. São enfrentadas as hipóteses sobre as polêmicas recorrentes quanto ao lugar no qual a carta foi redigida, à questão da datação do escrito e, também, a questão da sua unidade. Busca-sea ilustrar a questão da periautologia no enfoque do mimesis do discípulo modelo. A pesquisa investiga e apresenta, ainda, as consequências teológicas decorrentes das expressões especificamente contidas na perícope de Fl 1,12-26 para melhor fundamentar o discipulado cristão

This dissertation presents a threefold thesis. First, Paul is presenting a parallel in Philippians 3:7-11 from his own life by echoing back to Christ’s life and ministry in Philippians 2:5-11. Second, the theme of conformity to Christ is foremost in Paul’s mind as he contemplates on Christ’s humiliation and exaltation. Third, it is common to pit the two main streams of interpretation (kerygmatic and ethical) for these two Philippian passages against each other. I argue that this is a false dichotomy and it is best to integrate both theology and ethics in interpreting both passages. Chapter 1 serves as the introduction to the dissertation. It states the problem that the relationship between Philippians 2:5-11 and Philippians 3:7-11 has not been given due attention. It provides an overview of the history of interpretation on the topic. It also presents the threefold thesis and the method of research. Chapter 2 consists of an exegetical study of Philippians 2:5-11. It also includes a preliminary discussion on the literary background of the hymn and the immediate and broader contexts of the pericope. The semantic analysis involves an in-depth study of four key terms which are crucial in understanding the concept of Christocentric perspective. The syntactical analysis examines the passage in detail with focus on the grammatical and syntactical relationship of words, phrases, and clauses in each verse. Chapter 3 presents the theological reflections from the exegetical analysis in chapter 2. The discussion centers on three important themes, namely, Christocentric ethics, conformity to Christ, and humiliation-exaltation motif. Chapter 4 focuses on an exegetical and theological analysis of Philippians 3:7-11. A brief overview of the issue of the letter’s literary integrity, immediate and broader contexts of the passage, and the correspondence between Philippians 2:5-11 and 3:7-11 is first presented. This is followed by an exegetical study of the passage. The theological reflections include three themes, namely, supreme lordship of Christ, conformity to Christ, power and participation in Christ. Chapter 5 integrates the theological reflections from chapters 4 and 5. It also gives the conclusion of the dissertation with suggestions for further areas of research.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:40:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1641910 bytes, checksum: 186eca0a406c93a8edac4882b6f3710d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-10-11 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The present work has as its corpus the Epistle of Paul to the Philippians, especially the Hymn of chapter two, from verses five to eleven. There are two categories: the Epistle as a literary genre and the rhetorical figure of speech that structures the whole hymn and that is called chiasm. The work consists in an attempt to analyze the Carmem Christi and its chiastic structure, seeking to show how Paul used this figure of speech in order to structure this hymn. Parallelism is the main characteristic of Hebrew poetry (and chiasm is a subtype of parallelism, that is, a parallelism inverted), although Paul has written the hymn in Greek language, he writes according to Jewish poetic model and not Greek, making use of chiasm as he structures Carmen Christi for the purpose of emphasis and memorization. Therefore, it is crucial to know this figure for the correct analysis of the hymn proposed. / O presente trabalho tem como corpus a Epístola de Paulo aos Filipenses, especialmente o hino do capítulo dois, versículos cinco ao onze. As categorias são duas: a Epístola como gênero literário e a figura de linguagem retórica que estrutura todo o hino e que é denominada quiasmo. O trabalho consiste numa tentativa de análise do Carmem Christi e sua estrutura quiástica, buscando ver como Paulo usou essa figura de linguagem para estruturar este hino. É o paralelismo o principal elemento a caracterizar a poesia hebraica (e o quiasmo é um subtipo de paralelismo, isto é, um paralelismo invertido), embora Paulo tenha escrito o hino em língua grega, ele o escreve segundo a convenção poética judaica e não grega, fazendo uso do quiasmo na estruturação do Carmen Christi para efeitos de ênfase e memorização. Portanto, é indispensável o conhecimento dessa figura para a correta análise do hino proposto. A dissertação está dividida em três capítulos: I. Introdução ao Gênero Epistolar no mundo Greco-Romano e à Epístola Aos Filipenses; II. Quiasmo: Figura de Retórica Literária; III Análise da Estrutura quiástica de Filipenses 2.5-11.

The aim of this study is the analysis of social concepts of honor and identity in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In the first chapter, the research problem is formulated and the appropriate methodology, which could address the issue under investigation, is chosen. It was observed, that in the social studies of the New Testament texts, the key analytical categories – honor, identity and (social) values, – as well as the correlation between them, were not properly defined. At the same time, the text of the letter to the Philippians demonstrates that to aspire for honor is not totally rejected within Christian community (1:20; 2:29; 3:14). The discourse analysis (discovery of social patterns embedded in the text) was taken as main methodological approach; clarifying of social concepts and text analysis were main tools used to test the hypothesis: In his letter to the Philippians, Paul does not argue to reject honor as a social value, yet he promotes a new identity and new source of honor; aspiration to honor within one’s group remains the same for non-Christians and for “heavenly society.” In the second chapter, the main terminology is defined. So, “value” is an often non-verbalized, invisible conception, which determines one’s understanding of the desirable or rationality. The same values can have different embodiments in different cultures; the same values can be shared by different groups. Identity is based on the visible manifestations of a culture; people of different identities can share the same values. Honor is a positive evaluation of one’s behavior; it is very significant for every collectivistic society. The source of honor is at the same time the source of identity: the one whose opinion matters, whose approval is valuable is the one with whom a person associates/identifies him/herself. In the third chapter, the language of identity in the letter to the Philippians is analyzed. Paul pays a lot of attention to his readers’ new identity “in Christ.” He accentuates their distance from the non-members of the group (negative identity); he insists on their unity, mutual support, and call to leave aside any inner quarrel or competitiveness in order to concentrate on the survival and development of the “in-Christ” group. His own example of changed identity demonstrates that Christ gives Paul both a sense of belonging and a sense of worth. Strong orientation of the members of the Christian commune to their group reflects the common dependence of an individual on his/hew group in collectivist societies. In the fourth chapter, the issue of honor in the text of Philippians is investigated. The Christological hymn (Phil 2:6-11) and its context presents the only appropriate way of behavior and hence, gaining honor within the “in-Christ” community: God is the only honor-bestower; one must stay loyal to the community and obedient to its leaders despite suffering and death. Paul’s account of his own experience demonstrates that he is anxious about honor, yet he seeks it exclusively in terms of the “in-Christ” group: God is the only source of honor; hence honor must be achieved strictly via loyal service to God and his group. Any attempt to gain honor in competition with other members of the “in-Christ” group is interpreted as treason, as it denies the status of God as the only honor-bestower. In the fifth chapter, the findings of the research are summarized. It is concluded that social values of “heavenly society” are very much the same as those of a non-Christian society. Belonging to a group and positive evaluation of such a group (honor) – relational values common for Mediterranean cultures – are still most significant for the “in-Christ” group members. The only thing which is changed is identity (and hence, the source of honor): for Christians, God and Christ are an exclusive source of identity and an exclusive source of honor. Hence, the “in-Christ” group and the outer world both share the value of honor; the only difference between them is the source of that honor (i.e. identity). Values remain the same, identity is different. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / gm2014 / New Testament Studies / unrestricted

The city of Philippi was founded as a Roman military colony in 42 BC, directly following one of the largest battles of antiquity, the civil war battle of Philippi. This study shows that one hundred years later, at the time of writing of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, the identity of the city was still deeply connected to its military history. The apostle Paul found in the historical and sociological ties of the Philippians with the military reasons for drafting his letter in a rhetorical arrangement similar to the historical reports of commander’s speeches to his assembled troops before battle. Not only does the vocabulary of Paul’s ethical commands parallel the general’s harangues, as has been previously pointed out by Biblical scholarship, but in Paul’s letter one also finds correspondences to the three largest motifs of the general’s speeches: the objective of the war, the confidence for victory and the rewards for courage and obedience. The major unified theme of Philippians is the mutual military-partnership for the advance of the gospel in a hostile context (Phil. 1:7-12; 1:20; 2:19-24; 2:25-30; 3:12-15; 4:3; 4:10-19). Paul in his letter to the Philippians uses consistently military imagery – and not once athletic imagery, as typically assumed by exegetical scholars – to demonstrate that the courageous sharing of the faith will always result in victory for the one who proclaims Christ. This victory is guaranteed through the unsurpassable abilities of the supreme general, Jesus Christ, whose death on the cross and whose resurrection is portrayed as a military victory and whose exaltation by God the Father acknowledges Christ as the victorious general in an universal extent (Phil. 2:8-11). The victory of the gospel campaign is further guaranteed by the LORD’s initiation of the war for the spread of the faith and by His presence with those who fight in His behalf for the spread of the good news (Phil. 1:5-7; 2:12-13; 2:14-15; 3:1; 4:4). Victory in the Philippian context means either the reception of the gospel by unbelievers or the death of the messenger on account of rejection of and opposition to the gospel; the suffering of the emissary of the gospel serves to glorify Christ and it is compensated by the superior enjoyment of Christ at the resurrection (Phil. 1:19-25). The reward, which God promises to the messenger of the gospel is several times stated in Philippians to be the exalted experience of fellowship with Christ at the resurrection (Phil. 1:21; 3:8-11; 3:20-21; 4:3). The reading of Philippians in light of the appropriation of military terminology confirms that Paul’s main purpose in writing Philippians is to encourage his partners to continue to take risks, to be unafraid of suffering and to make sacrifices in order to boldly testify about Christ and to continue to financially contribute to the mission of spreading the faith. The book of Philippians challenges the contemporary self-centred prosperity culture of the church to take risks and make sacrifices for the proclamation of Christ to unbelievers, sacrifices, which are supremely compensated by a life for the glory of Christ and the surpassing promise of the enjoyment of the glory of God in His Son Christ Jesus. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / New Testament Studies / unrestricted

The subject of leadership has been explored from different fields by different scholars. The leadership debates and discussion have dominated academia across the globe for decades. The contribution of this thesis to the subject of leadership is threefold. Firstly, it demonstrates a different style of leadership, that is, servant leadership. Secondly, it studies servant leadership from a biblical perspective in general and Philippians 2:5-11 in particular. Thirdly, it applies biblical servant leadership principles to an African context. The historical background of Philippians is studied to understand the world of the text. The different leadership styles are explored and compared with servant leadership. Servant leadership principles are studied in Philippians 2:5-11 and applied in an African context. The thesis concludes with the servant leadership models in South Africa like Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and Frank Chikane. The purpose here is to demonstrate that servant leadership as a New Testament concept is applicable to a contemporary South African context. Consequently, the thesis makes New Testament research available to an African audience. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / New Testament Studies / MA / Unrestricted

This essay has examined Paul's Epistle to the Philippians to examine how his letter, in the context of his time, may contribute to the discussion of the modern day, regarding assisted suicide in palliative care. This has mainly been done through a hermeneutical study of Philippians, specifically 1:21-1:27, 2:5-11 and 3:17-21. Additionally this study has utilised historical-critical methods to contextualise Paul's rhetoric and focusing on the idea of de-intoducring of the biblical text from the subsequent theological tradition and anachronisms. This essay has primarily been informed by Arthur J. Droge's article about the subject of suicide in Philippians (Mori Lucrum: Paul and the Ancient Theories of Suicide 1988), Linda Joelsson's book about Paul and the idea of death in the hermeneutical of psychology (Paul and Death - A Question of Psychological Coping 2017) and Karin B. Neutel & Peter-Ben Smits article about the likely conditions of his arrest while writing Philippians and the trauma of prison factors into the text (Paul, Imprisonment and Crisis 2021). The second chapter briefly examined the development of the theology of suicide since the time of St. Augustine and subsecuenty different modern day attitudes toward assisted suicide. The third chapter examined the occurrence and frequency of suicides in the Hebrew Bible and found a lack of moral condemnation of those who took their own lives. Thereafter the essay investigates the attitudes towards death and suicide in the jewish tradition, the Roman empire and finally the early christians. The fourth chapter examined the background of Philippians and the conditions of the imprisonmentand thereafter performed a exegetical investigation into the issue suicide in relation to the ideas of death and suicide of his time. The study showed that Paul expresses what can likely be interpretedas suicidal language in Philippians, but that Paul clearly rejects the idea in favor of performing hisapostolic duty. The essay concludes with a broader discussion on the idea of the challenges of interpretation, a comparison of Paul and the augustinian tradition in relation to suicde and the change in perception of the idea of the holiness of life in favour of personal autonomy. The answer to the main question of the study is that Paul's perspective in Philippians, may be valuable as a troubled and sympathetic christian role-model, a person who, when faced with the prospect of suicide, chooses life. Not because suicde is extraordinarily sinful, but does so for the sake of his chrisitan calling of living for his community. This seems to be a more contemporary and fruitful rhetoric, than the condemning tone of classic augustinian theology in the matter of assisted suicide.