Bibliography
| Title: The Inspired Body. Prudential Control in the Spirit-filled Corinthian Community Type: Thesis Year: 1994 Abstract: "This dissertation examines 1 Cor 2:6-16 in an effort to understand one example of an early Christian view of divine inspiration. First, the dissertation examines other ancient descriptions of the phenomenon of divine inspiration with particular interest in those descriptions that include a notion of the human search for the divine mind, a notion which is central to Paul's discussion in 1 Cor 2:6-16. The dissertation seeks to understand who is described as inspired in these other ancient texts and also how that inspiration is explained. Representative ancient writers, including Plato, Plutarch, Julian, Philo, Josephus, are examined. The dissertation then investigates the details of Paul's discussion of divine inspiration in 1 Cor 2:6-16 and uses the parallel ancient discussions to elucidate Paul's argument. In sum, it is argued that 1 Cor 2:6-16 sets forth a general principle of divine inspiration that applies to all Christians rather than simply to an individual or some select few. Paul, with his presumption that all Christians have the Spirit because of their reception of it at baptism, counters claims among some of the Corinthians that they possess an exclusive access to the mind of God. The dissertation then demonstrates that this principle of corporate Christian inspiration plays an important role in the remainder of 1 Corinthians by examining three additional sections within the letter, namely 1 Cor 3:1-4, 1 Corinthians 12, and 1 Corinthians 14. Paul uses this ideal of divine inspiration, as it is first set forth in 1 Cor 2:6-16, in order to modify the behavior and attitudes of the Corinthians. In doing so, Paul distinguishes his view of inspiration from that of the other ancient writers examined here. Distinctive to Paul are: an insistence on the corporate dimension of inspiration and the need for communal accountability; a provision for a variety of forms of inspired speech; an emphasis on the crucial role of the Spirit; and the fact that, in Paul's opinion, irrationality and ecstatic behavior are neither necessary for nor validating of the act of inspiration". Keywords: New Testament / Early Christianity |