The Political Paul Democracy and Kingship in Paul's Thought

by Blumenfeld, Bruno

• ISBN13: 9780567080813
• ISBN10: 0567080811
• Edition: Supplement
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-06-08
• Publisher: Bloomsbury T&T Clark

Summary

Bruno Blumenfeld examines the political Paul, arguing that to neglect this dimension of Paul's thought decontextualizes him and falsifies our reading of his works. He argues that Pauline theology cannot be fully understood or appreciated without knowledge of the political theories of Hellenism. The Political Paul explores this dimension of Paul's thought within the general context of Hellenistic political reflection and focuses on the intriguing body of literature known as the Pythagorean pseudepigrapha. This research supports the highly original argument that Paul uses Hellenistic kingship theories to construct a political theory for Christianity. Yet although Paul inherits Hellenistic traditions he also transforms them. This study addresses this play of continuity and transmutation. By grounding Pauline Christianity in Hellenistic political theory in general, and in the theory of Hellenistic monarchy in particular, the work also provides a new explanation for the success of Christianity. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Bruno Blumenfeld has a Ph.D. in Religion from Columbia University. He is an independent scholar living in New York City

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. 7
Abbreviations	p. 8
Introduction	p. 11
Hellenistic Popular Philosophy: The Context for Paul's Thought	p. 13
The Polis versus the Ideal State	p. 24
Remarks on Method	p. 25
Classical and Hellenistic Sources
Classical Sources: Plato	p. 36
Classical Sources: Aristotle	p. 45
Aristotle's Ethics	p. 45
Aristotle's Politics	p. 64
Aristotle and Paul: Ekklesia as Polis	p. 84
Ekklesia, Oikos and Polis in Paul	p. 95
The Polis at Paul's Time	p. 95
Paul the Architect	p. 107
Political Fellowship	p. 109
Ekklesia, Oikos and Polis	p. 112
Hellenistic Pythagoreans: The Polis Group	p. 120
Hellenistic Pythagorean Corpus	p. 120
Ps.-Archytas: On Law and Justice	p. 124
Hippodamos: On the Republic	p. 139
Hippodamos: On Happiness	p. 149
Callicratidas: On the Happiness of the Household	p. 152
Ocellus: On Law	p. 158
Damippos: On Prudence and Fortune	p. 160
Ps.-Zaleucus: Preambles to the Laws	p. 166
Ps.-Charondas: Preambles to the Laws	p. 174
Review of Main Themes	p. 179
Hellenistic Pythagoreans: The Basileia Group	p. 189
Writings for Kings	p. 189
Ps.-Ecphantus: On Kingship	p. 191
Diotogenes: On Kingship	p. 234
Sthenidas: On Kingship	p. 254
Hellenistic Kingship and Paul	p. 264
The Political Paul
Rome and Paul	p. 276
Paul's Politics	p. 288
The 'Revolutionary Reactionary'	p. 289
Clues from Philippians	p. 292
Romans: A Political Reading	p. 302
Romans 1.1-3.20: Hamartia, or the World As It Is	p. 308
Romans 3.21-8.39: The World Set Straight	p. 330
Romans 9.1-11.36: The World at Large and the Reign of God	p. 365
Romans 12.1-16.23): Upholding the Roman Empire and Making It Last	p. 378
Excursus: A Note on Moxnes, Winter and Elliott	p. 395
Summation	p. 411
Conclusion: A Colloquy on Dikaiosune	p. 415
Kasemann	p. 422
Dunn	p. 437
Stowers	p. 440
Sampley	p. 445
Summary	p. 447
Bibliography	p. 451
Index of References	p. 479
Index of Authors	p. 503
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