Paul at the Crossroads of Cultures: Theologizing in the Space Between

Description

Based on recent studies in intercultural communication Kathy Ehrensperger applies the paradigm of multilingualism, which includes the recognition of cultural distinctiveness, to the study of Paul. Paul’s role as apostle to the nations is seen as the role of a go-between – as that of cultural translator. This role requires that he is fully embedded in his own tradition but must also be able to appreciate and understand aspects of gentile culture. Paul is viewed as involved in a process in which the meaning of the Christ event is being negotiated ‘in the space between’ cultures, with their diverse cultural coding systems and cultural encyclopaedias. It is argued that this is not a process of imposing Jewish culture on gentiles at the expense of gentile identity, nor is it a process of eradication of Jewish identity. Rather, Paul’s theologizing in the space between implies the task of negotiating the meaning of the Christ event in relation to, and in appreciation of both, Jewish and gentile identity. Contents Abbreviations Preface Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 At the Crossroads – in a New Light 1.2 The Challenge of Translation 1.3 Hermeneutical Presuppositions and Methodological Issues 1.4 Terminology 1.5 Outline, Scope and Limitations of this Study Part I Setting the Scene: Paradigms and Contexts Chapter 2 Paradigms of Cultural Encounters: Fusion, Blending or Hybridity? 2.1 The Judaism/Hellenism Debate Revisited 2.2 The Concept of ‘Hellenism’ and its Limitations 2.3 Postcolonial Concepts of Hybridity, Fusion and Creolization in Pauline Studies 2.4 The Concept of Hybridity in Critical Discussion 2.5 Conclusions Chapter 3 Linguistic and Cultural Diversityand Identity Formation: Contemporary Approaches 3.1 Language, Culture and Identity: Complex Networks 3.2. Bilingualism, Biculturalism and Ethnic Diversity 3.3 Language Adaptation, Lingua Franca and Identity/Belonging 3.4 Conclusions Chapter 4 The Context: Linguistic, Cultural and Ethnic Diversity in the Roman Empire 4.1 The Function of Greek and Latin in the Roman Empire 4.2 Linguistic Diversity under Rome 4.3 Greek, Roman and Other Ways of Life: Cultural and Ethnic Diversity 4.4 Bilingualism/Biculturalism: Negotiating Identity under Greek and Roman Domination 4.5 ‘Us and Them’: Networks and Stereotypes 4.6 Conclusions Part II Paul at the Crossroads Chapter 5 Mapping Paul 5.1 On the Map of the Imperium Romanum: Israel and the Nations 5.2 ... in Roman Perspective 5.3 Paul and his ... 5.4 ... in Jewish Perspective 5.5 Between Israel and the Nations: God-Fearers and Sympathizers 5.6 Between Cultures and Traditions: the Bicultural Go-Between 5.7 Conclusions Chapter 6 Scripture and Tradition: Translating the Narrative 6.1 The Primacy of Scriptural Tradition and the Challenge of Translation 6.2 The Significance of the Greek Translation of the Narrative: the LXX 6.3 Reclaiming Identity in the Face of Violence and Totalitarian Ideology: Apocalyptic Tradition 6.4 The Addressees and the Framework of Understanding 6.5 Israel and the Nations: Unity with a Difference 6.6 The Pauline Discourse of ... 6.7 ..., Fides and the Unity of the Nations Chapter 7 Identity Formation by Doing: Cult Practice and the Translatability of Rituals 7.1. Cult Practice – Pietas/Piety in Action 7.2 The Role of Cult and Diaspora Judaism 7.3 Cult Practice and the Table of the Lord 7.4 Cult Practice: ‘Loss and Gain’ in Translation Chapter 8 Theologizing in the Space-Between 8.1 Biculturalism, Bilingualism and Diversity in the First Century ce 8.2 The Narrative and Practice of Belonging 8.4 Paul’s Theologizing: Negotiating Meaning in the Space-Between 8.3 ‘To the Jew first and also to the Greek’ Bibliography Index of Biblical and Other Ancient Sources Index of Modern Authors