Self-Deception and Wholeness in Paul and Matthew

by Dan O. Via

Via uses the concept of self-deception as a vantage point for understanding something about Paul and Matthew. Employing an existential method in the broad sense, Via asks about the nature of a pervasive phenomenon of human existence with some attention given to psychological aspects. Nevertheless, this study is primarily exegetical and interpretive - aimed at theological understanding - rather than intensively methodological. Positing that self-deception is a deformation, Via undertakes to pay attention primarily to the subversion of the self and the recovery of wholeness. Additionally, attention is paid to self-deception as a social phenomenon and some consideration is given to its social causes and implications.

182 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Dan was born and reared in Charlottesville and attended public schools here. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Davidson College, and is a member of Phi Gamma Delta and Phi Beta Kappa. He received the Bachelor of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and his PhD in biblical studies from Duke University. He was awarded the honorary Doctor of Letters by Davidson College. Dan's primary field of teaching and research was the New Testament, especially its theology and ethics. He also had an interest in literary criticism and the religious significance of fiction. After serving on the faculties of Wake Forest University, the University of Virginia and The Divinity School of Duke University, he retired from the latter in 1991 as Emeritus Professor of New Testament. Over the course of his career, he taught as a visiting professor at Harvard Divinity School, the University of Zimbabwe, Acadia Divinity College in Canada, and the Iliff School of Theology. He and his family were much enriched by sabbaticals spent in France, Canada and England. Dan was the author of 11 books on biblical and theological topics and the editor of another 17. His most recent book, "The Hardened Heart & Tragic Finitude," was published in 2012. He was also the author of some 40 articles in various scholarly journals. He served as president of the North Carolina Teachers of Religion and of the Southern Section of the American Academy of Religion, and served on the editorial board of several journals. In 1975, he was selected by The Christian Century as one of 13 mid-career scholars to have made a significant mark on religious studies during the decade from 1965 until 1975. (via Duke University News)

Reviews

[Stephen Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did well exploring the concepts of self-deception in the writings of Paul and the Gospel of Matthew.

The easy to follow format and the uniqueness of the study makes it recommendable and useful.

"Self-deception is cured by the gospel or the word (13:19) of the kingdom which gives understanding and insight, which is to say that the gospel reforms the fattened or uncomprehending heart." p.99