The Social Significance of Reconciliation in Paul's Theology: Narrative Readings in Romans

by Corneliu Constantineanu

Overview

This is an assessment of the social dimension to reconciliation as displayed in Paul's Letter to the Romans. Traditional exegetical scholarship has treated Paul's presentation of reconciliation as referring to reconciliation between people and God, and has primarily focused use of the word katallage - traditionally translated as 'atonement'. Constantineanu challenges this view and argues that Paul's understanding of the concept is more complex, employing rich symbolism to describe reconciliation with God and between human beings forming together an inseparable reality. The discussion is placed within Paul's overall religious, social and political contexts, showing that an analysis of the social dimension of reconciliation in his thought is both plausible and necessary. Constantineanu offers an analysis of two major sections of Romans, chapters 5-8 and 12-15. Special emphasis is placed on Paul's use of the story of Jesus for community formation, for the shaping of identity, values and community practices. It is thus demonstrated that for Paul God's reconciling initiative, shown in the crucifixion, is not only the pronouncement of God's reconciling the world, but also the ground and model for reconciliation among human beings. It was formerly the Jourbanal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement , a book series that explores the many aspects of New Testament study including historical perspectives, social-scientific and literary theory, and theological, cultural and contextual approaches.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780567581983
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	06/10/2010
Series:	The Library of New Testament Studies , #421
Pages:	254
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Dr. Corneliu Constantineanu is Associate Professor of New Testament and Biblical Interpretation, and Academic Dean at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek, Croatia. He has received his PhD from the University of Leeds, UK and has published mainly in the area of Pauline theology and reconciliation.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements xi

Abbreviations xiii

Preface xv

1 Introduction 1

1.1 The subject matter: setting out the problem 1

1.2 The scope and nature of the inquiry 3

1.3 Methodological considerations 4

1.3.1 (Re)constructing Paul's theology 4

1.3.2 Narrative approaches to Paul 9

1.3.3 The significance of a narrative reading 15

1.3.4 Definitions, narrative features and shorthand references in Paul 17

1.3.5 Objectives, Paul's theologising, and methodology 20

1.4 Establishing the parameters of research 21

1.5 The structure of the argument 22

2 Pauline Scholarship on Reconciliation: A Review of the Related Literature 25

2.1 Introduction 25

2.2 The origin of the concept of reconciliation 26

2.3 The significance of reconciliation in Paul's theology 31

2.3.1 Vincent Taylor: reconciliation as an essential element of atonement 31

2.3.2 Ralph Martin: reconciliation as the centre of Pauline theology 32

2.3.3 Ernst Käsemann: reconciliation as a marginal concept in Paul 35

2.3.4 Reconciliation as a major Pauline concept 36

2.4 The nature of reconciliation 37

2.5 Conclusion: implications for the present research 39

3 From Creation to New Creation: The Underlining Framework of Paul's Understanding of Reconciliation 43

3.1 Introduction 43

3.2 The Jewish context: Paul's storied worldview 44

3.3 The social context of Paul 46

3.4 The political context of Paul 52

3.4.1 Recent developments in Pauline studies: the political dimension 52

3.4.2 Religion and politics in the first-century Mediterranean world 54

3.4.3 Paul's political terms 59

3.5 Conclusion 60

4 Identity, Otherness and Reconciliation: Paul's Vision of Reconciliation 63

4.1 Introduction 63

4.2 Damascus road experience: the foundation of Paul's vision of reconciliation 65

4.2.1 2 Corinthians 5.11-21 and Paul's experience of reconciliation 67

4.2.2 Identity, otherness and reconciliation: correlations in 2 Corinthians 5.14-6.10 and elsewhere in Paul 73

4.3 OT (Isaianic) background: the substance of Paul's vision 76

4.3.1 2 Corinthians 5.11-7.1 and the restoration story in Isaiah 77

4.3.2 Peace and the restoration of creation: The Vision of Isaiah 82

4.3.3 The implications of Isaianic themes for Paul's reconciliation 86

4.4 Hellenistic, diplomatic background of καταλλασσω/καταλλαγη and Paul's paradigm shift 87

4.4.1 Thomas Kuhn and the notion of 'paradigm shift' 89

4.4.2 Paul's paradigm shift in the concept of reconciliation 90

4.5 Reconciliation symbolism in Paul: the vision is given expression 92

4.6 Summary and conclusion 95

5 The Social Meaning of Reconciliation in Paul (I): The Story of Christ and Reconciliation in Romans 5-8 99

5.1 Introduction 99

5.2 The context of Romans 101

5.3 The argument of Romans 5-8 105

5.4 The story of Christ in Romans 5-8: identifying allusions and narrative features 108

5.4.1 Paul's christological statements and narrative motifs 109

5.5 Textual analysis: the story of Christ and reconciliation 115

5.5.1 Romans 5 116

5.5.2 Romans 6 133

5.5.3 Romans 8 137

5.6 Summary and conclusion 140

6 The Social Meaning of Reconciliation in Paul (II): Practices of Reconciliation in Romans 12-15 145

6.1 Introduction 145

6.2 Jews, Gentiles and reconciliation: Romans 9-11 146

6.3 The argument of Romans 12.1-15.13 151

6.4 Practices of reconciliation in Romans 12-13 154

6.4.1 Romans 12 154

6.4.2 Romans 13 163

6.5 Practices of reconciliation in Romans 14-15 172

6.5.1 Romans 14 173

6.5.2 Romans 15.1-13 176

6.6 Summary and conclusion 180

7 Paul's Understanding of the Social Significance of Reconciliation and the Romanian Context 185

7.1 Introduction 185

7.2 The return of religious phenomena to the social arena 186

7.3 The Orthodox church and Pauline reconciliation 191

7.4 The evangelical churches and Pauline reconciliation 195

7.5 Other issues: Romanian-Hungarian relations in Transylvania 199

7.6 Summary and conclusion 203

8 Conclusion 207

Bibliography 211

Modern Author Index 243

Subject Index 247

Editorial Reviews

... an excellent book... a very useful study.

'Informative and well-written, it will make a significant contribution to Pauline studies... Paul would, I think, be pleased with this application of his theology of reconciliation... Constantineanu's book is a welcome demonstration, both for Pauline scholars and for Christians living in conflict-divided communities, of the power of the gospel of God to make broken and wounded relationships a new creation.'

Informative and well-written, it will make a significant contribution to Pauline studies.

From the Publisher