Paul and the Power of Sin
Paul and the Power of Sin
Paul and the Power of Sin, first published in 2001, seeks to ground Paul's language of sin in the socio-cultural context of his original letters. T. L. Carter draws on the work of social anthropologist Mary Douglas to conduct a cross-cultural analysis of the symbolism of the power of sin in the letters, examining thoroughly Douglas' 'Grid and Group' model and defending its use as a heuristic tool for New Testament scholars. He uses this model to examine the social location of Paul and the communities to which he wrote and offers a fresh insight into key passages from 1 Corinthians, Galatians and Romans. Carter concludes that an important part of Paul's purpose was to safeguard the position of law-free Gentile believers by redrawing social boundaries along eschatological rather than ethnic lines.
- Thoroughly analyses Mary Douglas' 'Grid and Group' model, and the validity of this approach is defended against its critics
- Interprets Paul's sin language within the apostle's own first-century socio-historical context, rather than in the light of later doctrinal formulations
- Detailed exegesis offers fresh insight into key passages from 1 Corinthians, Galatians and Romans
Reviews & endorsements
"Carter has produced a valuable and largely convincing application of Douglas' grid/group theory to Paul's key letters. His recognition that cosmology is often a product of social dynamics is a fruitful one, and points to promising new directions in Pauline studies." J.R.C. Cousland, University of British Columbia
Product details
January 2002Hardback
9780521810418
256 pages
216 × 140 × 19 mm
0.48kg
6 b/w illus.
Available
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. 'Grid and Group'
- 3. Physical and social boundaries in Corinth
- 4. Exclusive boundaries in Galatia
- 5. Small bounded groups in Rome
- 6. Inclusive boundaries in Rome
- Conclusion.
