Snatched into Paradise (2 Cor 12:1-10)

James Buchanan Wallace

Published by De Gruyter 2011

Snatched into Paradise (2 Cor 12:1-10)

Paul's Heavenly Journey in the Context of Early Christian Experience

James Buchanan Wallace

Volume 179 in the series Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft

https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110247855

Overview
Contents

About this book

Recent scholars have tended to interpret 2 Corinthians 12:1–10 as an attempt to belittle ecstatic experiences, such as Paul’s ascent to paradise, in favor of suffering in the service of the gospel. This study offers an alternative. An analysis of ascent traditions in the Greco-Roman and Jewish worlds investigates ascent as both a literary motif and a religious practice. This analysis probes several issues relevant to 2 Cor 12:1–10, including dynamics of ascent and suffering. The study turns next to religious experiences Paul believes he and his communities have undergone. A pattern emerges in which extraordinary experiences provide the basis for suffering and service. Moreover, Paul expects his communities to have had experiences similar to, if less dramatic than, his ascent to heaven. The author argues that in its context in 2 Corinthians, Paul’s ascent should be understood as an encounter with Christ that transcends human language and endows Paul with divine power, which must be refined through suffering. With the help of four premodern interpreters, the study further explores the theological relevance of Paul’s ascent. For Paul, mystical encounter with Christ forms the precondition for suffering and service because it enables self-transcending love for God and neighbors.

Author information

James Buchanan Wallace, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, TN, USA.

Reviews

“To sum up: The book of Wallace is an excellent exegetical work which ought to become standart in the orthodox approachto the Bible.”
Predrag Dragutinović in: Sacra Scripta, Vol. 11 Issue 2, p302-306, 2013

Topics

Frontmatter Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	I
Acknowledgements Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	VII
Table of Contents Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	IX
Abbreviations Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	XIII
1. Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2. Ascent to Heaven in the Greco Roman World Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	39
3. Ascent to Heaven in Ancient Judaism and Christianity Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	95
4. Religious Experience in Paul’s Letters Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	169
5. Second Corinthians 12:1–10 in its Context Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	231
6. Premodern Interpretation of 2 Corinthians 12:1–10 in the Eastern Church Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	289
Epilogue Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	333
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	339
Index of Ancient Texts Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	375
Index of Modern Authors Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	387
Index of Subjects Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	389

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter
Audience: Academics, Libraries, Institutes
Pages
- Front matter: 12
- Main content: 391
Keywords: Letters of Paul; Ascent to Heaven; Second Corinthians; Religious Experience; History of Interpretation

eBook

Published: January 27, 2011
ISBN: 9783110247855

Hardcover

Published: January 18, 2011
ISBN: 9783110247848