Morality and boundaries in Paul
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyse the way in which Paul emphasised the mental boundaries of the Christ communities to turn them into moral boundaries and how these boundaries affected both Gentile and Jewish believers.
Abstract: In the Pauline communities, ethics, ethos and identity were closely intertwined. This essay analyses the way in which Paul emphasised the mental boundaries of the Christ communities to turn them into moral boundaries. In this process, the fencing off of these communities over against their past and their present was a fundamental feature of Paul’s reasoning. The communities thus became fenced off from their past, because the Christ event was seen as causing a major change in history. This change affected both Gentile and Jewish believers. At the same time, Paul stressed the boundaries with the outside world: he characterised the inside world as the loyal remnant of Israel, consisting of Jews and Gentiles alike, and pointed out that this group is the group of the elect ‘saints’. The perspective with which Paul looked at ethics and morality inside this group was strongly coloured by the assumed identity of this group as ‘Israel’. Even though the Mosaic Law was no longer the focal point for the identity of this eschatological Israel, the ethical demands Paul mentioned over against the members of this new Israel were highly influenced by the morality of the law. For Paul, sanctification was a fundamental ideal, and this ideal reflected the spirituality of the Holiness Code of Leviticus. This particular ethical model was framed by the awareness that Paul (and Christ before him) was ‘sent’ by God, much in the same way the prophets of Israel themselves had been sent.
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TL;DR: In this article, the relevance of social ethics in South Africa and its current status is investigated, and it is argued that social ethical reflection is of particular relevance for South Africa, particularly those who focus on the Old Testament, are known for their engagement with themes that can be termed social ethical.
Abstract: South African biblical scholars – particularly those who focus on the Old Testament – are known for their engagement with themes that can be termed social ethical. This impulse is used as starting point to investigate the relevance of social ethics in South Africa and its current status. It is argued that social ethical reflection is of particular relevance for South Africa. This thesis is investigated in two ways. Firstly, the applicability of social ethics as academic field is examined and it is shown that post-apartheid South African political institutions, systems and processes themselves are subjected to major changes and developments – a traditional area of focus of social ethics. Secondly, the current status of social ethical reflection in theological journals based in South Africa is investigated. The article concludes by showing that the current status of social ethical reflection in South African academic theology does not reflect the perceived need for social ethical reflection.
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01 Jan 1994
TL;DR: Boyarin this paper turns to the Epistles of Paul as the spiritual autobiography of a first-century Jewish cultural critic, and explores the tensions in the Pauline corpus, argues Boyarin, will lead us to a richer appreciation of our own cultural quandaries as male and female, gay and straight, Jew and Palestinian - and as human beings.
Abstract: Daniel Boyarin turns to the Epistles of Paul as the spiritual autobiography of a first-century Jewish cultural critic. What led Paul - in his dramatic conversion to Christianity - to such a radical critique of Jewish culture? Paul's famous formulation, 'There is neither Jew nor Greek, no male and female in Christ', demonstrates the genius of Christianity: its concern for all people. The genius of Judaism is its validation of genealogy and cultural, ethnic difference. But the evils of these two thought systems are the obverse of their geniuses: Christianity has threatened to coerce universality, while ethnic difference is one of the most troubled issues in modern history. Boyarin posits a 'diaspora identity' as a way to negotiate the pitfalls inherent in either position. Jewishness disrupts categories of identity because it is not national, genealogical, or even religious, but all of these, in dialectical tension with one another. It is analogous with gender: gender identity makes us different in some ways but not in others. An exploration of these tensions in the Pauline corpus, argues Boyarin, will lead us to a richer appreciation of our own cultural quandaries as male and female, gay and straight, Jew and Palestinian - and as human beings.
282 citations
205 citations
TL;DR: Segal as discussed by the authors argues that Paul's life can be better understood by taking his Jewishness seriously, and that Jewish history can be illuminated greatly by examining Paul's writings by reading Paul from the viewpoint of the religion he left behind, and sheds new light on the man who played a critical role in both Judaism and Christianity.
Abstract: Although Paul's writings have been intensively studied by Christian theologians, they have been dismissed by Jewish scholars as the meditations of an antagonistic apostate who broke completely with his Jewish past. In this revisionist account of Paul's work, Alan Segal argues that Paul's life can be better understood by taking his Jewishness seriously, and that Jewish history can be illuminated greatly by examining Paul's writings. By reading Paul from the viewpoint of the religion he left behind, Segal sheds new light on the man who played a critical role in both Judaism and Christianity. "Segal's new book challenges Jewish and Christian scholars alike to take a fresh look at this well-educated man."--The Washington Post Book World "Segal has written a blockbuster of a book about Paul that blazes a new trail. It not only gives new insights into Paul and his thought, but it establishes the writings of Paul as significant primary source material for the study of first-century Judaism.."--Hayim Goren Perelmuter, New Theology Review "A brilliantly argued book. . . . Paul is neither hero nor villain for Segal but a fascinating historical and religious character, from whom we can learn much about both Judaism and Christianity. . . . I found myself thoroughly sympathetic to Segal's portrayal of Paul. More than that, I found myself convinced."--J. Christian Wilson, The Christian Century "Paul the Convert is a stunning achievement. Segal brilliantly weaves together Jewish studies, New Testament scholarship, and contemporary social scientific theories of conversion into a richly textured and provocative book."--Lewis R. Rambo, Professor of Psychology and Religion, San Francisco Theological Seminary "This is by far the best book about Paul I have ever read: it revolutionizes Pauline studies. . . . Segal has made Paul, and early Christianity, more understandable and therefore deserves the heartfelt thanks of all believers and unbelievers."--Giles Quispel, Vigiliae Christianae
144 citations
TL;DR: Nanos as discussed by the authors argues that Paul's letter to the Romans is an example of Jewish correspondence, addressing believers in Jesus who are steeped in Jewish ways-whether of Jewish or gentile origin.
Abstract: Paul's letter to the Romans, says Nanos, is an example of Jewish correspondence, addressing believers in Jesus who are steeped in Jewish ways-whether of Jewish or gentile origin. Arguing against those who think Paul was an apostate from Judaism, Nanos maintains Paul's continuity with his Jewish heritage. Several key arguments here are: Those addressed in Paul's letter were still an integral part of the Roman synagogue communities. The "weak" are non- Christian Jews, while the "strong" included both Jewish and gentile converts to belief in Jesus. Paul as a practicing devout Jew insists on the rules of behavior for "the righteous gentiles." Christian subordination to authorities (Romans 13:1-7) is intended to enforce submission to leaders of the synagogues, not Roman government officials. Paul behaves in a way to confirm the very Jewish portrait of him in Acts: going first to the synagogues.
106 citations
Book•
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01 Jan 2000
TL;DR: Engberg-Pedersen as discussed by the authors argues that scholars must move beyond the traditional Judaism/Hellenism divide to reach a comprehensive and accurate reading of Paul's letters, and illuminates the whole world of the Stoics.
Abstract: Dr Engberg-Pedersen shows how a range of problems encountered in twentieth-century interpretation may be overcome by reading the epistles in the light of ancient Stoic ethics. He discusses literary, conceptual and theological issues: for example, the unity of the letters; the relationship in the Pauline letters between theology and ethics; the logical character and shape of Pauline exhortation; the meaning of righteousness from faith; Paul's handling of the Jewish law. The author illuminates the whole world of the Stoics, and argues that scholars must move beyond the traditional Judaism/Hellenism divide to reach a comprehensive and accurate reading of Paul's letters.
100 citations