On Not Overdoing

One of our Chicago alumni, Paul Holloway, is working on Philippians for Hermeneia series. He reads the letter as something belonging to ancient consolation literature. By "consolation", he means not emotional prescription but rational admonition, which was adopted by many Hellenistic philosophers. These philosophers insisted that one might overcome any sorrow or pain by being able to distinguish what is important (ta diaperonta) from what is not (adiaperonta).

Holloways' approach sheds light on a few passages of Philippians. Yet, overall impression is that he is overdoing or exaggerating his thesis.

Well, critique of overdoing is applicable not only to Holloway but also to many other scholars. In order to present one's thesis as original (and worth publishing) scholars often ignore other "minor" features and grandize some other factors. This is the problem that our prophet-looking Jonathan Z. Smith often raises while reflecting the method of comparison.

Now, can my research do justice to the text and be original, and at the same time not overdoing? How can I achieve that goal?