Circumcision gone wrong: Paul's message as a case of ritual disruption
This article considers Paul's message about male circumcision as a case of ritual disruption, which functions as an informant on the notions of inclusion and exclusion of its cultural context. Paul's challenge to existing social norms with regard to proselyte circumcision allows us to bett...
| Published in: | Neotestamentica |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
NTWSA
[2016]
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| In: |
Neotestamentica
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| RelBib Classification: | AG Religious life; material religion CD Christianity and Culture HB Old Testament HC New Testament HD Early Judaism KAB Church history 30-500; early Christianity |
| Further subjects: | B
Paul Apostle
B Jewish eschatology B Jewish proselyte circumcision B Circumcision Man B Rituale B Ritual B male circumcision B Early Judaism B Ritual disruption B Pauline Letters B Gentile inclusion |
| Parallel Edition: | Electronic
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| Summary: | This article considers Paul's message about male circumcision as a case of ritual disruption, which functions as an informant on the notions of inclusion and exclusion of its cultural context. Paul's challenge to existing social norms with regard to proselyte circumcision allows us to better see the ways in which circumcision is thought to construct and deconstruct relationships. This approach shows that the disruptiveness of Paul's message does not stem from a distinctive understanding of circumcision or from a unique openness to gentiles, as is often assumed. Paul shares the widely held understanding of proselyte circumcision as a rite that marks the transformation of male gentile "outsiders" into Jewish "insiders," yet he strongly denies that it is appropriate for gentiles "in Christ" to undergo this rite, since they already are "insiders." This makes the ritual of proselyte circumcision not merely unnecessary, but even harmful, since it negates gentile incorporation through Christ. |
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| ISSN: | 0254-8356 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Neotestamentica
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