Hidden Criticism?

The Methodology and Plausibility of the Search for a Counter-Imperial Subtext in Paul
1. Auflage 2015
ISBN: 978-3-16-153795-0
Verlag: Mohr Siebeck

Buch, Englisch, Band 392, 199 Seiten, Format (B × H): 231 mm x 170 mm, Gewicht: 355 g

Reihe: Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2. Reihe

Paul has been regarded as being uncritical of the Roman Empire for a long time, not least because of his apparent call to obey the state in Rom 13:1-7. However, recent scholarship has questioned this assumption by pointing to "hidden criticism" in the letters of the apostle. But how can we decide, in a methodologically sound way, whether such a counter-imperial message lies beneath the surface of the text? On the basis of insights from the philosophy of science, Christoph Heilig suggests several analytical steps for examining this paradigm. He concludes that the hypothesis that we can identify critical "echoes" of the Roman Empire in Paul's letters needs to be modified for it to be maintained. In particular, concern over the danger of overt criticism and subsequent persecution do not sufficiently justify this interpretative hypothesis. Nevertheless, Heilig concludes that the search for a counter-imperial subtext in Paul could turn out to be heuristically fruitful so long as the limitations of the approach are heeded. Hence, a re-evaluation of Pauline passages in light of Paul's engagement with ideas from his Roman environment is encouraged.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Heilig, Christoph

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Kirchengeschichte Frühes Christentum, Patristik, Christliche Archäologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religionsphilosophie, Philosophische Theologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Religionskritik
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Religionsphilosophie, Philosophische Theologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Systematische Theologie Christliche Philosophie
• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Bibelwissenschaften Neues Testament: Exegese, Geschichte

Über Autor(innen)

Heilig, Christoph
Born 1990; 2009-14 studied theology; 2013 Master of Letters in "Biblical Languages and Literature at St. Mary's College, University of St Andrews; since 2014 research at the University of Zurich (SNF Project).