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" Wisdom theology, Christology, and liturgy: An intertextual study of Sirach and the letters of Paul "
William J. Shaules
D. Hagner
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Latin Dissertation
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English
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| Record Number
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54635
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TL24589
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| Call number
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3187915
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| Main Entry
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William J. Shaules
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| Title & Author
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Wisdom theology, Christology, and liturgy: An intertextual study of Sirach and the letters of Paul\ William J. Shaules
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| College
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Fuller Theological Seminary, School of Theology
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| Date
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2005
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| Degree
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Ph.D.
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2005
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242
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| Abstract
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This is a project in intertextuality. Intertextuality is basically a methodology whose goal is to find quotes, allusions, and echoes of a literary antecedent embedded in the writings of a particular author. In this case, those authors are Ben Sira and Paul who both echo the wisdom tradition of Israel in the development of their respective theologies. Furthermore, each of these authors uses the liturgical language of their tradition in the formulation of their own writings. This project seeks to finds those allusions and then to show how these images are used to support the theologies of these great writers. Chapter 1 is a survey of scholarship done in this general area starting with the work done to investigate Jewish methods of exegesis practiced among early Christians. The work of Michael Fishbane figures prominently in this survey especially in his developing the various principles of inner biblical exegesis. Chapter 2 sets out the methodology that guides the rest of the project. Again Fishbane's methodological principles figure prominently as well as Richard Hay's work. Hay's understanding of the dynamics of echoes in Paul's writing is based on the insights of literary critic John Hollander. Finally, the work of anthropologist Clifford Geertz provides a basis to explore the phenomenon of liturgical language and especially its effect on writer and audience. The collective insights of these writers help to provide the methodological backbone for this project. Chapter 3 sets out the respective historical contexts of Ben Sira and Paul. In addition to the usual questions of dating and audience, there is a focus on the wisdom literature of their common biblical tradition. In short, both of these writers work out of particular historical exigencies and within a particular literary tradition. Each of these elements exerted influence on the way Ben Sira and Paul echoes their literary predecessors. Chapter 4 begins the investigation of particular instances of allusion and echo. For Ben Sira this is found in the extensive use of liturgical language in the wisdom poem found in ch 24. For Paul, similar language is found in 2 Cor 2:15-16. In both instances the effect is to personalize and to make present---for Ben Sira Wisdom and for Paul Christ. For Paul, the allusions also help facilitate his identification of Christ with Torah. Chapter 5 explores allusions to the wisdom poem in Prov 8 on the part of Ben Sira and Paul. For Ben Sira, this again takes us to his wisdom poem. For Paul this takes us to the Christological hymn found in Colossians 1. In their use of the Proverbs hymn both Ben Sira and Paul are shown to be working out of a narrative. This is Israel's narrative of creation, election, and redemption. For Ben Sira the effect of the allusions are to show wisdom's presence at creation and God's electing to be present among his people. For the Christological hymn in Colossians the effect is much the same but here Christ replaces wisdom within the reality of God's creative and elective will. The allusion to Prov 8 also helps the author of Colossians to connect creation with redemption facilitating an expression of God's all encompassing (including the "elemental powers of the universe") and redemptive power mediated through and made visible through Christ.
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Philosophy, religion and theology; Christology; Letters; Liturgy; Paul, the Apostle, Saint; Saint; Sirach; Wisdom theology; Bible; 0321:Bible
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D. Hagner
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Fuller Theological Seminary, School of Theology
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