Bible & Ministry Faculty Research and Publications
“Old Man” as Cipher: Humor and Honor-Shame Rhetoric for Reading Philemon in Mozambique
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Missio Dei: A Journal of Missional Theology and Practice
Publication Date
2020
Volume
11
Abstract
Among the Makua-Metto people of Mozambique, Africa, old age can be leveraged rhetorically by using the language of honor-shame, even humorously, to convince others to treat speakers with respect or follow their advice. Paul’s rhetoric to Philemon fits naturally into this mode of speech. This article investigates how the cipher (or rhetorical device) of “old man” highlights the elements of kinship and koinonia in light of both New Testament and African contexts.
Copyright held by
Missio Dei: A Journal of Missional Theology and Practice
Recommended Citation
Howell, A. (2020). “Old Man” as Cipher: Humor and Honor-Shame Rhetoric for Reading Philemon in Mozambique. Missio Dei: A Journal of Missional Theology and Practice, 11. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.harding.edu/bible-facpub/27
