Functional Teleology and the Coherence of Ephesians: A Comparative and Reception-Historical Approach

287 Pages·2018·2.226 MB·English

by  Eric Covington

Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen
zum Neuen Testament 2. Reihe
Herausgeber/Editor
Jörg Frey (Zürich)
Mitherausgeber / Associate Editors
Markus Bockmuehl (Oxford) · James A. Kelhoffer (Uppsala)
Tobias Nicklas (Regensburg) · J.Ross Wagner (Durham, NC)
470

Eric Covington
Functional Teleology and
the Coherence of Ephesians
A Comparative and
Reception-Historical Approach
Mohr Siebeck
Eric Covington, born 1986; 2007 BA from Dallas Baptist University; 2010 MA from Dallas
Baptist University; 2012 MA from Wheaton College; 2013 MLitt from University of
St Andrews; 2016 PhD from University of St Andrews; Assistant Professor of Christian
Studies, Howard Payne University – New Braunfels.
ISBN 978-3-16-156075-0/eISBN 978-3-16-156076-7
DOI 10.1628/978-3-16-156076-7
ISSN 0340-9570/eISSN 2568-7484
(Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament, 2.Reihe)
The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliographie;
detailed bibliographic data are available on the Internet at http://dnb.dnb.de.
© 2018 Mohr Siebeck, Tübingen. www.mohrsiebeck.com
This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form (beyond that permitted by
copyright law) without the publisher’s written permission. This applies particularly to reproduc-
tions, translations and storage and processing in electronic systems.
The book was printed on non-aging paper by Laupp & Göbel in Gomaringen and bound by
Buchbinderei Nädele in Nehren.
Printed in Germany.
Because of Grace

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Reception-Historical Approach
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Preface
This book is a revised version of my doctoral thesis completed at the Univer-
sity of St Andrews. It must be noted that the present project is only a small
part in the larger picture of New Testament ethics. In terms of Richard Hays’
four-fold task of New Testament ethics, this project remains firmly within the
initial, descriptive task, leaving a large amount of work left undone in the
synthetic, hermeneutical, and pragmatic tasks necessary for enacting the ethi-
cal principles highlighted here.1 While the synthetic task has been briefly
hinted at in the conclusion, there has been no room to address the hermeneu-
tical and pragmatic implications of the thesis. It is my hope that this descrip-
tive analysis will provide a firm basis for the expansion of teleological ethics
into daily life wherein is the most difficult and important test of the present
thesis.
The completion of this project would not have been possible without a
strong and supporting collaborative community. First, I would like to
acknowledge my Doktorvater, Professor Mark W. Elliott. This project would
not have begun, much less reached its current state and structure, without his
thoughtful consideration, tireless support, and positive encouragement. His
humble collegiality, encyclopedic knowledge, and competent scholarship
serve as exemplary models for life inside and outside the academy.
Thanks also go to Drs. Scott Hafemann and Nathan Eubank whose atten-
tive reading and discussion helped bring further clarity and precision to ele-
ments of my argument and my prose. I am grateful for their wisdom and
counsel. Several others played an important role in my thinking and work
through this project. Professor Elna Mouton kindly discussed Ephesians with
me while on a visit to Stellenbosch, and her warm kindness, questions, and
encouragement were very important at a crucial time of the project. Tommy
Wasserman, Carey Newman, and Tim Gombis all asked helpful questions and
recommend important sources to consider at various points during my re-
search, as well. Finally, professors at Wheaton College (Douglas Moo, Nick

1 Richard B. Hays, The Moral Vision of the New Testament: Community, Cross, New
Creation – A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament Ethics (Edinburgh: T & T
Clark, 1996), 3–7.

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AN: 2344546 ; Eric Covington.; Functional Teleology and the Coherence of Ephesians : A Comparative and
Reception-Historical Approach
Account: s6390570
VIII Preface

Perrin, Daniel Block, and John Walton) were instrumental in my early bibli-
cal education and the formation of my research interests, as were Bob Garrett
and Kaylyn McGowan Hopper at Dallas Baptist University.
Special thanks go to the editors of WUNT, especially Ross Wagner, and
the editorial team at Mohr Siebeck, including Henning Ziebritzki, Klaus
Hermannstädter, Elena Müller, Daniela Zeiler, and Kendra Mäschke for their
attentiveness and assistance in bringing the manuscript through the publishing
process. Thanks also to Caleb Kostreva for proofing help on the final manu-
script.
The community and collegiality at St Mary’s College provided an ideal lo-
cation at which to study and live for the four years I spent working on this
project. I was able to form lasting connections with friends and colleagues,
who also contributed not only to my scholarship but also to life in St An-
drews. Colleagues in the Hadow Room of the Roundel helped introduce me to
and inspire me through doctoral life and scholarship, and their collegiality
and friendship have left an indelible mark on my time at St Andrews. Space
precludes a full list of those who inspired and encouraged me through daily
questions and conversations, but special mention should be made of Matt,
Michael, Max, Brett, and William who all played a large part in my work and
life, whether at the beach, over dinner, at coffee, or on the Scottish links.
Many thanks for your friendship and support!
Finally, my research would not have been possible apart from family both
immediate and extended. We were delighted to introduce several of our fami-
ly members to the beauty of Scotland, and their visits were always times of
adventure, life, and joy. We thank Michelle, Janet, Roger & Becky, Haley,
KJ, Nat, Jenn, Dori, Elle, Meg, Ben, Felicia, and Libby for participating in
our Scottish life with us. The Lambs’ friendship and love knows no bounds,
and we are forever thankful for the innumerable times you have made our
lives possible. A particular “thanks” goes to mom, dad, and ‘Chelle. Your
love and support are unending, and y’all are the foundation which keeps me
upright. My wife, ma fleur, Bethany was a constant source of love, support,
and joy. She listened to my ideas at various stages of cogency, encouraged
me in my setbacks, celebrated in my progress, and shared every moment with
me. Whatever, whenever, wherever with you. We also had the incomparable
joy of welcoming our daughter Grace while at St Andrews. Her efferves-
cence, joy, and love brought light even to the longest, darkest days (of Scot-
tish winter). To you my little one…and more.

New Braunfels, June 2018 Eric Covington

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Table of Contents
Preface ......................................................................................................... VII
List of Abbreviations .................................................................................. XVI
Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................ 1
Chapter 2: The Question of Coherence in Ephesians ..................... 5
2.1. Introduction ............................................................................................. 5
2.2. The Conceptual Coherence of Ephesians in Recent Scholarship ............ 5
2.2.1. Ephesians and Post-1940s Ecclesiology........................................... 5
2.2.2. Ephesians and Gnosticism ............................................................... 7
2.2.3. Ephesians in Modern Comparative Study ........................................ 8
2.2.4. Ephesians and Greco-Roman Rhetoric ............................................. 9
2.2.5. Ephesians and Ancient Political Philosophy .................................. 11
2.2.6. Ephesians and Ancient Folk Religion ............................................ 14
2.2.7. Ephesians and Socio-Scientific Studies ......................................... 15
2.2.8. Summary: The Problem of Conceptual Coherence
in Ephesians ................................................................................... 15
2.3. Observation: Modern Virtue Ethics and Ancient Ethical Thought ........ 16
2.3.1. Telos and Human Function in Ancient Ethical Thought ............... 17
2.3.2. The Erosion and Inversion of Teleological Thought
in Modernity .................................................................................. 18

2.4. Hypothesis, Aims, and Structure ............................................................ 20
2.4.1. Hypothesis: Ephesians and the Logic of Functional
Teleology ........................................................................................ 20
2.4.2. Previous Teleological Approaches in New Testament
Studies ............................................................................................ 21
2.4.3. Preliminary Definitions ................................................................. 25

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Reception-Historical Approach
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