Reconstructing the Historical Background of Paul’s Rhetoric in the Letter to the Colossians

Copenhaver approaches the debate surrounding the opponents in Colossians from a methodological standpoint and contends that Paul was not actually confronting active opponents when he wrote the letter. Developing this argument Copenhaver demonstrates that the challenge of reconstructing a singular opponent arises not only from the limitations of textual and historical evidence but also from the assumptions and methodologies inherent to historical approaches to the text. By modifying these assumptions and adjusting the methodology Copenhaver is able to show how Paul’s letter takes on a new relationship to its historical context.
Book abstract: Copenhaver approaches the debate surrounding the opponents in Colossians from a methodological standpoint and contends that Paul was not actually confronting active opponents when he wrote the letter. Developing this argument Copenhaver demonstrates that the challenge of reconstructing a singular opponent arises not only from the limitations of textual and historical evidence but also from the assumptions and methodologies inherent to historical approaches to the text. By modifying these assumptions and adjusting the methodology Copenhaver is able to show how Paul’s letter takes on a new relationship to its historical context.