Paul and slavery: A response

[...]if Gal 3:28 does not eliminate the significance of ethnic difference, i.e., of Judaism as it had been known, then the text does not carry the modern liberal individualistic conceptions that interpreters tend to associate with it and "no slave or free" also may not have modem abolition...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Semeia 1998-01 (83/84), p.295
Main Author: Stowers, Stanley K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Christianity
Morality
Religion
Slavery
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:[...]if Gal 3:28 does not eliminate the significance of ethnic difference, i.e., of Judaism as it had been known, then the text does not carry the modern liberal individualistic conceptions that interpreters tend to associate with it and "no slave or free" also may not have modem abolitionist connotations. [...]the concept of symbolic universe places too much emphasis on distinct beliefs, concepts and symbols. Woman was created "out of" man and bears the reflection of man and not directly the image of God. [...]the ever difficult verse 10 seems to claim that woman was created not directly by God but by angels, just as the law was given by angels in Gal 3:19-20 and signifies mediation rather than the direct work of God (BeDuhn). Judeans are not to seek to reverse circumcision or gentiles to become Judeans, women to forget their veils and places, but these identities take second place to serving the new cause of Christ. [...]I agree with Horsley that Paul is opposed to the order of the current age including the political and social order, but his letters do not provide a clear social and political critique and a plan for a new order except in terms that are too mythic to be practical for the reform of human social and political communities An apocalyptic mythology makes the current order doomed and provides hope for a band of true believers.
ISSN:0095-571X