Paul and the dynamics of power : communication and interaction in the early Christ-movement / Kathy Ehrensperger.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ehrensperger, Kathy, 1956-

Series:

Library of New Testament studies ; 325.

T & T Clark library of biblical studies

Library of New Testament studies ; 325

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Paul, the Apostle, Saint.

Paul.

Bible. Epistles of Paul--Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Bible.

Bible. Epistles of Paul.

Power (Christian theology).

Christianity and politics--History.

Christianity and politics.

History.

Church history--Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600.

Church history.

Church history--Primitive and early church.

Physical Description:

xiv, 235 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : T & T Clark, [2007]

Summary:

In this illuminating study Kathy Ehrensperger looks at the question of Paul's use of power and authority as an apostle who understands himself as called to proclaim the Gospel among the gentiles. Ehrensperger examines the broad range of perspectives on how this use of power should be evaluated. These range from the traditional interpretation of unquestioned authority, taken for granted for a church leader, to a feminist interpretation. She examines whether or not Paul's use of power presents an open or hidden re-inscription of hierarchical structures in what was previously a discipleship of equals.

Paul and the Dynamics of Power questions whether such hierarchical tendencies are rightly identified within Paul's discourse of power. Furthermore it considers whether these are inherently and necessarily expressions of domination and control and are thus in opposition to a 'discipleship of equals'? In her careful analysis Ehrensperger draws on such wide-ranging figures as Derrida, Michel Foucault and James Scott. This enables refreshing insights into Paul's use of authority and power in its first century context.

Contents:

Chapter 1 Reading the Pauline Letters: Presuppositions and Contexts 1

1.1 Earlier Studies on Paul and Power 2

1.2 Hermeneutical Presuppositions of this Study 3

1.2.1 The Cultural Embeddedness - Judaism and its Scriptures 4

1.2.2 The Social, Political and 'Religious' Context - The Roman Empire 9

1.3 The Focus of this Study 11

Chapter 2 Concepts of Power in Contemporary Theory 16

2.1 Definitions of Power 17

2.2 'Power-over' or Strategic Power 20

2.3 'Power-to' or Communicative Power 22

2.4 Strategic and Communicative Concepts of Power in Critical Discussion 24

2.4.1 Critiques of Arendt: Habermas and Feminist Theories 24

2.4.2 Transformative Power 27

2.4.3 Power-to and Power-with - a Feminist Conception of Power 30

2.4.4 Asymmetry and Hierarchy in Power Relations 31

Chapter 3 The Exercise of Power - Networking in the Early Christ-Movement 35

3.1 The Circle of Apostles and Paul 37

3.1.1 Apostles and Their Relationship According to 1 Thessalonians 38

3.1.2 Apostles and Power Dynamics According to Galatians 1.13-2.14 41

3.2 Paul and Co-Workers in Christ 46

3.2.1 [characters not reproducible] - Terminology and Identity Issues 47

3.2.2 [characters not reproducible], [characters not reproducible] - Terminology and Identity Issues 48

3.2.3 Co-Senders of the Pauline Letters 50

3.2.4 Letter Endings and Paul's Assistants 51

3.2.5 Others Greeted in the Pauline Letters 52

3.2.6 Moved by Christ - Leadership on the Move 53

3.3 [characters not reproducible], Paul and the Pauline Circle 55

3.3.1 Letter Writing and Ongoing Communication 55

3.3.2 [characters not reproducible] as Communities of Siblings 57

3.4 Conclusion: [characters not reproducible] and [characters not reproducible] - Asymmetrical Relationships 61

Chapter 4 Power in Action - the Dynamics of Grace 63

4.1 The Power of the 'Grace and Works of the Law' - Dichotomy in Pauline Interpretation 63

4.2 Grace and Power or Grace as Power 65

4.3 Grace in Action - the Collection Project (2 Corinthians 8-9) 67

4.4 The Power of Grace according to the Scriptures 71

4.4.1 [characters not reproducible] and the [characters not reproducible] Debate 71

4.4.2 The Covenantal Dimension of [characters not reproducible] 75

4.5 Conclusion: Grace as Mutual Empowerment 78

Chapter 5 The Grace and Burden of Apostleship: Paul's Perception of [characters not reproducible] 81

5.1 The [characters not reproducible] of Being Called and Sent - Paul's Call Narrative in Galatians 1-2 81

5.2 Being Called and Sent According to the Prophets 83

5.2.1 The Call Narrative in Isaiah 6 83

5.2.2 The Call Narrative in Jeremiah 1 84

5.2.3 The Call Narrative in Ezekiel 1-2 84

5.2.4 Paul's Experience of [characters not reproducible] in Light of the Prophets 85

5.3 [characters not reproducible] and [characters not reproducible] in Romans 86

5.4 Paul's Perception of [characters not reproducible] in Relation to [characters not reproducible] 90

5.5 Authority and Power in Prophetic and Apostolic Sending 91

5.6 Message and Messengers Intertwined 93

Chapter 6 Power in Weakness - The Discourse of Confrontation and Conflict 98

6.1 Troublesome Beginnings - 1 Thessalonians 100

6.2 A Letter of Passionate Concern - 2 Corinthians 101

6.3 The Signs of an Apostle - Disputed 102

6.4 Suffering, Weakness and Power - Related but not Identical 104

6.5 Entering the Ring of Competition - 'For When I am Weak I am Strong' 106

6.6 Weak Apostles but Powerful Leaders? The Power of Gentleness and Humbleness 111

Chapter 7 Power in Interaction - Paul and the Discourse of Education 117

7.1 The Ethos of Education in Jewish Tradition 119

7.2 Aspects of the Teaching and Learning Discourse in the Scriptures 120

7.3 Traces of the Teaching and Learning Discourse in Second Temple Judaism 123

7.4 Paul - a Father/Mother of his Communities 126

7.5 Parental Images in 1 Corinthians 128

7.6 Parental Images in 1 Thessalonians 131

7.7 Paul the Teacher and Transformative Power 134

Chapter 8 Power in Interaction - The Discourse of Imitation 137

8.1 The Perception of Imitation in Pauline Interpretation 137

8.2 The Texture of Paul's Imitation Language 138

8.2.1 [characters not reproducible] as Copying 138

8.2.2 Imitation in the Scriptures 139

8.2.3 Aspects of Mimesis in Contemporary Literary Theory 142

8.3 Content and Structure of Pauline Imitation Language 143

8.4 The Imitation Discourse in 1 Corinthians (4.16 and 11.1) 144

8.4.1 Again - Paul the Father 145

8.4.2 Divisions and Differences - Struggles for Power? 146

8.4.3 The Functionality of Apostleship 147

8.4.4 Diversity Among Apostles 148

8.4.5 Flexible Hierarchies and Apostolic Claims 150

8.5 Christ as the 'Pattern' - The Deconstruction of Hierarchies 151

Chapter 9 Power in Interaction - The Discourse of Response-ability 155

9.1 Obedience as Faith and as Submission to God 156

9.2 Obedience as Hearing and Responding 158

9.2.1 In Contrast to Judaism? 158

9.2.2 As Oral Transmission 159

9.3 Called to Hear and to Do - God and His People 160

9.3.1 Called into Existence 162

9.3.2 Inter-Dependence - not Subordination, Submission or Obedience 164

9.4 Responding as Response-ability 166

9.4.1 [characters not reproducible] and [characters not reproducible] in Romans and Galatians 166

9.4.2 Guidance to the Called in Corinth 168

9.4.3 [characters not reproducible] in Other Letters 171

9.5 Submission and Order Discourse (1 Cor. 14.32-34 and Rom. 13.1-7) 172

9.6 [characters not reproducible] - a Hidden Request for Obedience? 174

Chapter 10 The Dynamics of Power and the Challenge of Empowerment 179

10.1 Beginnings - Promise and Trust 180

10.2 The Guiding Parameters - Christ and the Coming Kingdom of God 183

10.3 Life in the Realm of Christ - 'Already and Not Yet' 186

10.3.1 'It Shall Not Be So Among You' - Internal Limitations to Power 186

10.3.2 Ambiguous Leaders - Vulnerable and Disappointing but Empowering 187

10.3.3 'In This World but not From This World' - Impacts of the Empire 191

10.3.4 Limited Challenges: Gender Hierarchy and the Institution of Slavery 193

10.4 The Dynamics of Power and the Tune of Empowerment 196.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [201]-225) and indexes.

ISBN:

9780567043740

0567043746

OCLC:

141380387