Prodigality, Liberality and Meanness The

This monograph interprets the parable of the Prodigal Son (Lk. 15.11-32) in the light of Graeco-Roman popular moral philosophy. Luke's special parables are rarely studied in this way, but the results of this study are very fruitful. The unity of the parable is supported, and it is shown to be deeply concerned with a major Lukan theme: the right use of possessions. The whole parable is read in terms of the moral topos 'on covetousness', and shown to be an endorsement of the Graeco-Roman virtue of liberality, modified by the Christian virtue of compassion.

Abbreviations

9

(4)

Preface

13

Part I THE PARABLE

1

(252)

Prior Greco-Roman Perspectives on Luke 15.11-32: An Overview

16

(23)

Introduction

16

(2)

The Origins and Antecedents of Greco-Roman Perspectives

18

(8)

Prior Readings of Luke 15.11-32 from a Greco-Roman Perspective

26

(5)

From Parallel Plots to Related Patterns of Moral Thought

31

(8)

The Composition and Message of Luke 15.11-32

39

(30)

The Text of Luke 15.11-32

41

(3)

Major Divisions

44

(2)

Colon Divisions

46

(4)

Analysis of the Composition of Luke 15.11-32

50

(15)

Results

65

(4)

Co-Texts: Luke 15.11-32 and the Other L Parables

69

(21)

Luke's Teaching on Possessions and Luke 15.11-32

69

(4)

A Wider Co-Text for Luke 15.11-32: The L Parables

73

(14)

Results of Adopting the L Parables as the Co-Text

87

(3)

Part II THE TOPOS

The Topos `On Covetousness' in Moral Philosophy

90

(42)

Topoi: Definitions and Uses

92

(7)

The Topos On Covetousness

99

(2)

Moral-Philosophical Texts Reflecting the Influence of the Topos On Covetousness

101

(27)

Characteristic Features of the Topos On Covetousness

128

(4)

Part III THE PARABLE AND THE TOPOS

The Prodigal Younger Son

132

(36)

The Rejection of the Ideal of Common Ownership

133

(6)

Gathering and Scattering

139

(3)

Prodigal Living

142

(6)

Famine, Hunger and Want

148

(5)

Desire and Degradation

153

(5)

Moral Death and Ruin

158

(10)

The Liberal Father

168

(24)

The Ideal of Liberality

168

(1)

Indicators of the Father's Liberality

169

(5)

Liberality Shown by Example and Word

174

(18)

The Younger Son Learns Liberality

192

(35)

Desperation

192

(6)

Turning and Returning

198

(8)

Acknowledgment of Culpability and Confession

206

(5)

Moral Choice

211

(3)

Restoration

214

(4)

Harmony

218

(3)

Good Health

221

(6)

The Mean Elder Son

227

(20)

The Meanness of the Elder Son

228

(2)

Philosophical Views of Meanness

230

(6)

The Consequences of Meanness

236

(11)

Conclusion

247

(6)

Similarities and Differences between the Parable and the Topos

247

(2)

Luke's Philosophical Affiliation

249

(1)

Gains from Recognizing the Relationship between the Parable and the Topos

250

(1)

Further Research

251

(2)

Bibliography

253

(25)

Index of References

278

(18)

Index of Authors

296

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Prodigality, Liberality and Meanness The Prodigal Son in Graeco-Roman Perspective

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