Conferences
WSWG 28
11 Oct 2014, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

Paul

Stylometrics and the Question of Interpolation in Paul

It was on this occasion that one of the Project's long-tested stylometric measures (for the purpose named BIRD, or Brooks Index of Rhetorical Differerence) was introduced to the humanistic sciences. It was intended that both Sinology and New Testament studies would be represented, but in the event, only the latter were in attendance. Faithful to the original intent, the BIRD presentation nevertheless included both Chinese and NT examples (some of the latter being produced on the spot by Keith Yoder). Given constraints on those attending, the Conference was reduced to a single day 9Saturday, 121 October), with provision for those arriving earlier and leaving later.

Alternatives to the 14-word test list in Biblical Greek were proposed by those attending, and were tested in subsequent weeks by the Project staff (it was eventually decided that the original inventory was likely to give better results over a diverse range of material). Apart from this methodological wrinkle, the point of the conference was to consider the Pauline and DeuteroPauline corpus from the point of view of possible interpolations (with the work of William O Walker Jr as an example and starting point). The chief focus was the Corinthian correspondence, together with Hebrews as a sample of a deuteroPauline and also an uninterpolated text. The rhetoric of Paul was considered, as well as the formation process behind these and others of the epistles attributed to Paul.

The Chinese examples initially provided were from the Mencius, a few minor philosophers, and the Shr Ji and related texts. A few papers presented at SBL 2014 (in November of that year) are included here to make this page a more adequate reference for future discussion of the Corinthian Correspondence and related matters.

Conference Information and Posted Discussion Memoranda

Roster
*Unable to attend

Harold Attridge, Yale University
A Taeko Brooks, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
E Bruce Brooks, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
*Stephen Carlson, Australia
Mary Cleary, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
*Raymond F Collins, Providence RI
William "Chip" Gruen, Muhlenberg College
*Glenn Holland, Allegheny College
Matt Larson, Yale University
Keith L Yoder, University of Massachusetts at Amherst

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