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Pistis in Rhetoric[edit]

Thus, pistis in rhetoric are the elements to induce true judgment through enthymemes, hence to give proof of a statement.[3] There are three modes by which this is employed. The first mode is the "subject matter capable of inducing a state of mind within the audience."[4] The second pistis is the "subject itself considered under an appeal to the intellect or in its logical aspects."[4] The third pistis is the "logical, rational, and intellectual aspect of the issue under discussion."[5] All three modes of pistis occur in logos as it appeals to logical persuasion.[3]

Persuasive Pistis in Greek Rhetoric and Christianity[edit]

Greek rhetoric and Christian faith share a connection through pistis. Christian concepts of faith (pistis) were borrowed from Greek rhetorical notions of pistis.[6] 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]

See also[edit]


  1. ^ Theognis, Fragment 1. 1135
  2. ^ Grimaldi 1957.
  3. ^ a b Abizadeh 2002.
  4. ^ a b Grimaldi 1957, p. 89.
  5. ^ Grimaldi 1957, p. 90.
  6. ^ a b c Cherry et al. 1992.
  7. ^ Cherry et al. 1992, p. 134.

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