Antithesis and Paradox in the Epistle to Diognetus

What is it about?

Scholars have often lauded the Epistle to Diognetus for is excellent Greek style and rhetoric, but they have failed to analyze its use of rhetorical techniques in a substantive way. My paper rectifies this by examining Diognetus’ use of antithesis and paradox, two of its most prominent rhetorical tools. Drawing from classical discussions of these two techniques, my work shows that the intent of antithesis and paradox, as defined by classical rhetoricians and philosophers, largely structures the epistemology and agenda of Diognetus. The contrasting formulae of its antitheses work to capture the audience, and the many paradoxes lead them to contemplate deeper truths of Christianity. Paradox in particular, abounds throughout both the phraseology and the deeper foundations of the text’s worldview. Not only are paradoxical propositions set forth by the many antitheses of the text, but its very conception of knowing God and of God’s salvific plan are considered paradoxical to the author and thus thought convey truth. The Epistle to Diognetus, then, is securely embedded in the Hellenistic literary, rhetorical, and philosophical traditions of its time.

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