Pistis
In Greek mythology, Pistis (/ˈpɪstɪs/; Ancient Greek: Πίστις) was the personification of good faith, trust and reliability. In Christianity and in the New Testament, pistis is typically translated as "faith". The word is mentioned together with such other personifications as Elpis (Hope), sophrosyne (Prudence), and the Charites, who were all associated with honesty and harmony among people.[1]
Her Roman equivalent was Fides, a personified concept significant in Roman culture.
Additionally, a close linkage between pistis and persuasion developed through the discussion of faith (belief) and was further morphed by an understanding of pistis as a rhetorical technique.[2]
In rhetoric
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Pistis in rhetoric can mean "proof" and is the element to induce true judgment through
Greek rhetoric and Christianity
New Testament translators favor the English word "faith" when translating pistis. Some have argued that the Christian concept of faith (pistis) was borrowed from Greek rhetorical notions of pistis,[6] perhaps making "argument" a better translation than "faith." Christian pistis deems its persuasion in a positive light as the New Testament concepts of pistis require that a listener be knowledgeable of the subject matter at issue and thus able to fully assent.[6] Whereas, the Greeks took the notion of pistis as persuasive discourse that was elliptical and concentrated on the "affect and effect rather than on the representation of the truth."[7] The evolution of pistis in Christianity as a persuasive rhetorical technique starkly contrasts with its meaning used by the Greeks.[6] More recent scholarship has argued for a more robust understanding of pistis that moved beyond a concept of "belief." Teresa Morgan has argued for the concept of "trust."[8] Matthew Bates argues for "allegiance."[9]
See also
Notes
- Theognis, Fragment 1. 1135
- ^ Grimaldi 1957.
- ^ a b Abizadeh 2002.
- ^ a b Grimaldi 1957, p. 89.
- ^ Grimaldi 1957, p. 90.
- ^ a b c Cherry et al. 1992.
- ^ Cherry et al. 1992, p. 134.
- ^ Morgan, Teresa. Roman Faith and Christian Faith.
- ^ Bates, Matthew. Salvation by Allegiance Alone.
References
- Grimaldi, William (1957-11-02). A Note on Pisteis in Aristotle's Rhetoric. The Johns Hopkins University Press. JSTOR 291828.
- Abizadeh, Arash (December 2002). The Passions of the Wise: Phronesis, Rhetoric, and Aristotle's Passionate Practical Deliberation. Philosophy Education Society. JSTOR 20131817.
- Cherry, Roger Dennis; Kinneavy, James L.; Nakdate, Neil; Paul, Stephen (1992). A Rhetoric of Doing Essays on Written Discourse: Pistis, Expression, and Belief. Southern Illinois University Press.