Out of our Minds? Appeals to Reason (Logos) in the Seven Oracle of Revelation 2—3

Abstract

Although John relies on narrative and on `radical rhetoric' to effect persuasion, he also develops appeals to rational argumentation ( logos), particularly within the seven oracles, using basic strategies known from classical rhetorical handbooks and progymnastic exercises. He supports his conclusions and exhortations with arguments from analogy, from the consequences, from the contrary, from historical example and from the revelation of contradictions. He employs topics of courage, the just, the feasible, the (in)expedient and relative expediency in framing enthymemes. John's argumentation, however, requires previous acceptance of certain premises derived from Christian `cultural knowledge', for example, that Christ will come again in judgment, both in interim and ultimate interventions, that Christ makes his intentions known through prophetic speech, and that Christ's story provides a paradigm for the disciples to follow per aspera ad astra. Rational argumentation indeed tempers the authoritarian dimension, but these appeals to reason will largely only work within Christian culture and would likely be dismissed outside of early Christian congregations.