No description available.

Many recent studies in contemporary social anthropology have noted the vital import of the concepts of honour and shame and how these are able both to generate ideas of social identity within a community, and, in particular, to elucidate patterns of social behaviour. This has been notably evident amongst the communities of the Mediterranean littoral. At the same time, multi-disciplinary research exploring the communities of the Ancient Near East, especially those undertaken by social historians investigating the ancient societies of Israel, Greece, and Rome, have revealed that these, too, lived within the social constraints of honour and shame. These twin concepts are said to have had a profound influence upon such ancient communities, and, for some, are seen to represent the pivotal values of Greco-Roman social life. Unsurprisingly then, these same values are also evident within the narrative discourses of the Old and New Testaments, and a wide number of studies have sought to examine a particular text or social scenario through the lens of honour and shame. But despite having had a voluminous number of monographs and articles written on it, the letter of 1 Corinthians has remained relatively untouched by studies of honour-shame; yet it presents a unique expose of numerous aspects of social life in Greco-Roman first-century CE culture. My aim here is to examine the extent to which the social constraints of honour and shame may have had a direct influence upon the multifarious problems of social behaviour so evident within the community (not least the factionalism and strife which caused so many internal problems). In so doing, it presents a fresh reading of the letter, and the thesis it proposes is that the honour-shame model provides an appropriate and compelling framework within which to view the letter holistically within its social context.

Text in German and English / Basing the following on the premise that one-seded balance of power in mission work impedes fellowship and partnership (chapter 2), it is the intention of this treatise to investigate, with the help of the method of text pragmatics and incorporating the Malian context (chapter 1), what findings from 1 Corinthians 9 are helpful towards dealing with the problem (chapters 3-4). Paul describes the problem of financial support in detail, yet actually it serves to lead to the real aim of the text, i.e. Paul, while in Corinth, lived exemplarily by renouncing, on his own free will, his apostolic rights, thus demonstrating a model of how the "strong" and the "weak" could treat each other in good partnership. Paul lived his apostolic freedom being bound to Christ and in responsibility for people. This mentality of incarnational lifestyle (chapter 5) enables us to put the missionary's behaviour and the partnership problem between Western mission agency and African church in their proper place both, christlogically, and ecclesiologically (chapter 6). When applying this to practice in missionary life (chapter 7), it becomes evident ... - what consequences renunciation on his own free will has on the missionary's status and social and communicative behaviour (chapter 7.2 and 7.3); - how "power, control and one-sidedness" may be reduced where partners in missionary work cooperate. When putting this in concrete terms we have to ask, how missionaries can contribute to strengthen their partner in the host country by renouncing their right to a say, within the structures on the national level (chapter 7.4). Additionally, possibilities of the African partner having more say in administering finances and in where the missionaries are to serve, are shown. On the international level, suitable management structures are to make clear that the West is ready to renounce one-sided control, and to invite African partners to share responsibilities on the highest level. Finally, it becomes clear that more interchurch partnership certainly reduces the hegemony of the mission agency, but, in the end, may stimulate the missionary effort (chapter 7.5). Annotations on financial support of missionary work ends this treatise. / Ausgehend von der Prämisse, dass einseitige Machtverhältnisse in der Missionsarbeit Gemeinschaft und Partnerschaft negativ beeinträchtigen (Kap. 2) verfolgt die vorliegende Studie das Ziel, mit Hilfe der textpragmatischen Methodik und unter Einbeziehung des malischen Kontextes (Kap. 1) zu untersuchen, welche Einsichten aus 1 Kor. 9 hilfreich sind, um dieser Problematik zu begegnen (Kap. 3-4). Obwohl Paulus das Problem der materiellen Unterstützung ausführlich darstellt, dient es letztlich nur als Hinführung zum eigentlichen Skopus des Textes. Dieser besteht darin, dass Paulus in Korinth freiheitlichen Verzicht auf Inanspruchnahme apostolischer Rechte exemplarisch gelebt hat und so ein Modell aufzeigt, wie "Starke" und "Schwache" partnerschaftlich miteinander umgehen können. Paulus lebt apostolische Freiheit als Bindung an Christus und in Verantwortung für Menschen. Diese Mentalität des inkarnatorischen Lebensstil (Kap. 5) ermöglicht es, das Verhalten des Missionars heute und die Partnerschaftsproblematik zwischen westlicher Missionsgesellschaft und afrikanischer Kirche sowohl christologisch als auch ekklesiologisch einzuordnen (Kap. 6). Bei der missionspraktischen Anwendung (Kap. 7) wird deutlich, ... - wie sich freiheitlicher Verzicht auf den Status und das soziale und kommunikative Verhalten des Missionars auswirkt (Kap. 7.2 und 7.3). - wie "Macht, Kontrolle und Einseitigkeiten" in der Kooperation der am missionarischen Handeln beteiligten Partnern reduziert werden können. Die Konkretionen beziehen sich auf die Frage, wie Missionare im Gastland durch freiwilligen Verzicht auf Mitspracherechte in den Strukturen auf nationaler Ebene zur Stärkung des Partners beitragen können (Kap. 7.4). Des Weiteren werden die Möglichkeiten verstärkter Mitsprache afrikanischer Partner bei der Verwaltung von Finanzen und dem Einsatzort der Missionare aufgezeigt. Auf internationaler Ebenen sollen adäquate Leitungsstrukturen die Bereitschaft des Westens zum Verzicht auf einseitige Kontrolle verdeutlichen und afrikanische Partner zur Mitverantwortung auf höchster Ebene einladen. Schliesslich wird deutlich, dass verstärkte zwischenkirchliche Partnerschaften zwar die Vormachtstellung der Missionsgesellschaft reduziert, aber letztlich die Missionsarbeit befruchten kann (Kap. 7.5). Anmerkungen zur finanziellen Unterstützung missionarischer Arbeit beschliessen die Abhandlung. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th. (Missiology)

This study is devoted to Paul's rhetorical argumentation on sexual issues (`porneia') in Cor-inth, and focuses especially 1. Corinthians 5:1-7:9. Paul uses `porneia' according to the Jewish tradition as body violation, pollution and as Satanic power. The term describes different forms of sexual behaviour which Paul rejects (like incest or intercourse with prostitutes at Roman banquets) and can be summarised as `illegiti-mate sexual intercourse'. For Paul, the only legitimate sexual intercourse is that within mar-riage (7:1-9). Therefore Paul's reference to the marriage is his answer to the problem of `por-neia', even if Paul sees many advantages in celibacy. As a probable background which explains the occurrences of `porneia' in Corinth, we see next to sexual abstinence within existing marriages (7:1-7) the strong influence of a Roman élite, which based its behaviour on hedonistic slogans and on the mortality of the body. Ac-cordingly, Paul's argumentation emphasises the high significance of the human body (6:12-20) and ascribes an eschatological perspective to it with the references to the resurrection of the body in 1 Corinthians 6:14 and chapter 15. / New Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies / (M. Th. (New Testament))

This study is devoted to Paul's rhetorical argumentation on sexual issues (`porneia') in Cor-inth, and focuses especially 1. Corinthians 5:1-7:9. Paul uses `porneia' according to the Jewish tradition as body violation, pollution and as Satanic power. The term describes different forms of sexual behaviour which Paul rejects (like incest or intercourse with prostitutes at Roman banquets) and can be summarised as `illegiti-mate sexual intercourse'. For Paul, the only legitimate sexual intercourse is that within mar-riage (7:1-9). Therefore Paul's reference to the marriage is his answer to the problem of `por-neia', even if Paul sees many advantages in celibacy. As a probable background which explains the occurrences of `porneia' in Corinth, we see next to sexual abstinence within existing marriages (7:1-7) the strong influence of a Roman élite, which based its behaviour on hedonistic slogans and on the mortality of the body. Ac-cordingly, Paul's argumentation emphasises the high significance of the human body (6:12-20) and ascribes an eschatological perspective to it with the references to the resurrection of the body in 1 Corinthians 6:14 and chapter 15. / New Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies / (M. Th. (New Testament))

Text in German and English / Basing the following on the premise that one-seded balance of power in mission work impedes fellowship and partnership (chapter 2), it is the intention of this treatise to investigate, with the help of the method of text pragmatics and incorporating the Malian context (chapter 1), what findings from 1 Corinthians 9 are helpful towards dealing with the problem (chapters 3-4). Paul describes the problem of financial support in detail, yet actually it serves to lead to the real aim of the text, i.e. Paul, while in Corinth, lived exemplarily by renouncing, on his own free will, his apostolic rights, thus demonstrating a model of how the "strong" and the "weak" could treat each other in good partnership. Paul lived his apostolic freedom being bound to Christ and in responsibility for people. This mentality of incarnational lifestyle (chapter 5) enables us to put the missionary's behaviour and the partnership problem between Western mission agency and African church in their proper place both, christlogically, and ecclesiologically (chapter 6). When applying this to practice in missionary life (chapter 7), it becomes evident ... - what consequences renunciation on his own free will has on the missionary's status and social and communicative behaviour (chapter 7.2 and 7.3); - how "power, control and one-sidedness" may be reduced where partners in missionary work cooperate. When putting this in concrete terms we have to ask, how missionaries can contribute to strengthen their partner in the host country by renouncing their right to a say, within the structures on the national level (chapter 7.4). Additionally, possibilities of the African partner having more say in administering finances and in where the missionaries are to serve, are shown. On the international level, suitable management structures are to make clear that the West is ready to renounce one-sided control, and to invite African partners to share responsibilities on the highest level. Finally, it becomes clear that more interchurch partnership certainly reduces the hegemony of the mission agency, but, in the end, may stimulate the missionary effort (chapter 7.5). Annotations on financial support of missionary work ends this treatise. / Ausgehend von der Prämisse, dass einseitige Machtverhältnisse in der Missionsarbeit Gemeinschaft und Partnerschaft negativ beeinträchtigen (Kap. 2) verfolgt die vorliegende Studie das Ziel, mit Hilfe der textpragmatischen Methodik und unter Einbeziehung des malischen Kontextes (Kap. 1) zu untersuchen, welche Einsichten aus 1 Kor. 9 hilfreich sind, um dieser Problematik zu begegnen (Kap. 3-4). Obwohl Paulus das Problem der materiellen Unterstützung ausführlich darstellt, dient es letztlich nur als Hinführung zum eigentlichen Skopus des Textes. Dieser besteht darin, dass Paulus in Korinth freiheitlichen Verzicht auf Inanspruchnahme apostolischer Rechte exemplarisch gelebt hat und so ein Modell aufzeigt, wie "Starke" und "Schwache" partnerschaftlich miteinander umgehen können. Paulus lebt apostolische Freiheit als Bindung an Christus und in Verantwortung für Menschen. Diese Mentalität des inkarnatorischen Lebensstil (Kap. 5) ermöglicht es, das Verhalten des Missionars heute und die Partnerschaftsproblematik zwischen westlicher Missionsgesellschaft und afrikanischer Kirche sowohl christologisch als auch ekklesiologisch einzuordnen (Kap. 6). Bei der missionspraktischen Anwendung (Kap. 7) wird deutlich, ... - wie sich freiheitlicher Verzicht auf den Status und das soziale und kommunikative Verhalten des Missionars auswirkt (Kap. 7.2 und 7.3). - wie "Macht, Kontrolle und Einseitigkeiten" in der Kooperation der am missionarischen Handeln beteiligten Partnern reduziert werden können. Die Konkretionen beziehen sich auf die Frage, wie Missionare im Gastland durch freiwilligen Verzicht auf Mitspracherechte in den Strukturen auf nationaler Ebene zur Stärkung des Partners beitragen können (Kap. 7.4). Des Weiteren werden die Möglichkeiten verstärkter Mitsprache afrikanischer Partner bei der Verwaltung von Finanzen und dem Einsatzort der Missionare aufgezeigt. Auf internationaler Ebenen sollen adäquate Leitungsstrukturen die Bereitschaft des Westens zum Verzicht auf einseitige Kontrolle verdeutlichen und afrikanische Partner zur Mitverantwortung auf höchster Ebene einladen. Schliesslich wird deutlich, dass verstärkte zwischenkirchliche Partnerschaften zwar die Vormachtstellung der Missionsgesellschaft reduziert, aber letztlich die Missionsarbeit befruchten kann (Kap. 7.5). Anmerkungen zur finanziellen Unterstützung missionarischer Arbeit beschliessen die Abhandlung. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th. (Missiology)

The subject and scope of this dissertation is Paul’s use of honour and shame language in 1 Cor 1–6. The methodology applied is a modified socio-rhetorical criticism as developed by George A. Kennedy. Two interrelated aspects of first century Corinthian culture will also be examined in connection with Paul’s rhetoric in 1 Cor 1–6; that of the patron-client relationship and the role of honour and shame in that relationship and in the larger society. It will be argued that Paul’s rhetorical argument in 1 Cor 1–6 is heavily based upon the social values of honour and shame. This study will examine 1 Cor 1–6 in three sections. The first section to be examined will be that of 1:1–2:5. Paul begins this section by presenting Jesus as the super-patron who is over and above all the members of the congregation. This presentation of Jesus rebukes the patronal based factionalism and it also elevates Paul to the unique status as that of apostle and proclaimer Jesus. The second section to be examined will be 1 Cor 4. In this section Paul continues to reduce the status of the patrons as he elevates his own status. By the end of this section Paul seeks to re-establish himself not only as the apostle and proclaimer of Jesus, but also as the Corinthians’ father through the gospel. The third section to be examined will be 1 Cor 5–6. In this section it will be argued that Paul addresses three issues in connection with patronal abuse; that of the incestuous man in 1 Cor 5, the abuse of the law courts in 6:1–10, and immoral banquets in 6:11–20. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Biblical Studies)

The main goal of this study is to demonstrate the role of the Holy Spirit in building up Church unity, based on the exegesis of I Corinthians. The current theme is urgent; however, little attention has been paid to it in research literature. We have noted that it is not human wisdom but the Holy Spirit who is the key to our faith, salvation, and understanding of divine mysteries. The Holy Spirit along with Christ brings forward the building of the Church and guides it. One Spirit is the foundation for Church unity. The Holy Spirit administers spiritual gifts according to His will and establishes their orderly operation. Seeking the guidance of the Spirit, trusting and obeying Him brings unity, whereas following different authorities, mistrusting and disobeying Him results in disunity. / Biblical and Ancient Studies / M. Th. (New Testament)

No description available.

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In reading the letters of Paul to the community in Corinth, it becomes apparent that Paul communicated from a position of authority. Given the existence of the mighty Roman Empire at the time of Paul’s writings, it raises questions regarding the ways such Empire would have affected Paul. This study assesses the possibility that Paul was influenced, not only by the material Roman world, but also by the socio-political and social-cultural dynamics of the Roman order. Paul may have utilised such order, but as spiritual leader, he could also have opposed it to his own ends and aims. The purpose of this study is to investigate such dynamism. The point of departure is, firstly to briefly discuss the nature of the Roman Empire that filled the ancient Roman world with coinage, statues, temples, poetry, song and public rhetoric. The ubiquitous Roman Empire enforced itself through power dynamics constituted in physical force, rhetoric, the patronage system and the Imperial Cult. Patronage operated in tandem with other aspects of the imperial system as a means of social control. It leads, therefore, to a more focussed investigation of patronage as one of the significant dimensions of Empire. Honour, prestige and status disparity governed social relations through complex, reciprocal relationships. No one was immune to the social tug-of-war, and within this context, Paul engaged in his Corinthian correspondence. Paul’s first Corinthian correspondence, specifically 1 Cor 4:14-21, is then comparatively investigated in the light of patronage as dimension of Empire. Paul integrated values such as honour and shame, and used the system of patronage in order to achieve his objectives with the Corinthian community. The socio-rhetorical analysis of this section of Paul’s correspondence investigates socio-cultural, intertextual and ideological aspects of the text. 1 Cor 4:14-21 is the culmination of the first part of Paul’s argument for ὁμόνια (concord), and he empowers his deliberation through patronage. He positions himself uniquely as father of the community, which empowers him with patria potestas (absolute authority). He also describes the way the Corinthians should bestow honour upon themselves. Paul’s use of a challenge-riposte and encomium brings all the weight of his argument to bear, upon his mimetic command to μιμηταί μου γίνεσθε (be imitators of me). The findings of this study indicate that Paul also opposes Empire in various ways. He opposes patronage, when he champions allegiance to an alternative Κύριος (Lord) that represents an alternative kingdom. He acts as a broker between Christ and the community, but the reciprocal relationship consists of shameful behaviour. Paul’s application of patronage does not serve to enhance his social position and poses a significant challenge to the norms of patronage in the Empire. The patent and unresolved tension within his rhetoric stretches between liberal use of patronage, and his opposition of aspects of the imperial order, such as patronage and the abuse of power. This leads to the conclusion that Paul still subjected the attributes of Empire to his own objectives. He had more than a purely political or merely spiritual agenda in mind and ultimately this remains the power and mystery of his argument. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: By die lees van die sendbriewe van Paulus aan die jong Christelike gemeente in Korinte val dit op dat Paulus, hoewel in herderlike trant, vanuit ’n gesagsposisie tot die gemeente spreek. Gesien die tyd waarin Paulus geleef het, ’n tydperk van die bestaan van die magtige Romeinse Ryk, rys die vraag onwillekeurig of Paulus as geestelike leier van opkomende gemeentes nie enigermate deur die heersende Romeinse maatskaplike orde beïnvloed is nie. In die onderhawige studie word die moontlikheid van nader betrag dat die sosiaal-politieke en sosiaalkulturele aspekte van die Romeinse bestel Paulus wel kon beïnvloed het. Die wyse waarop Paulus sodanige orde sou kon aanwend of moontlik teëstaan word ondersoek. Die vertrekpunt is dus om allereers die aard van die Romeinse Ryk - gekenmerk deur ‘n eie muntstelsel, tallose standbeelde, tempels, digkuns, sang en openbare retoriek - in hooftrekke uiteen te sit. Die uitgebreide Ryk het sy mag gevestig en gehandhaaf deur middel van kragdadigheid, retoriek, weldoenerskap en die Keiserkultus. Ter verdieping van die ondersoek word weldoenerskap as onderdeel van die Romeinse sosiaalpolitieke orde in fyner besonderhede beskou. Daaruit blyk dat beskermheerskap ter ondersteuning gedien het ten einde doeltreffender maatskaplike beheer uit te oefen. ‘n Verfynde wisselwerking het - deur middel van die dinamiek van eer, aansien en mag - sosiale verhoudings en gedrag beheer: niemand was teen die woelinge van die sosiale stryd gevrywaar nie. Dit was teen hierdie agtergrond van die werklikheid van die magtige Romeinse imperium dat Paulus met die Korintiërs gekorrespondeer het. Paulus word daarna vergelykenderwys ondersoek aan die hand van die gedeelte uit sy brief aan die Korintiërs soos gevind in 1 Kor 4:14-21. Daarin beroep hy hom op waardes soos eer en skaamte, terwyl hy die stelsel van weldoenerskap aanwend ten einde sy oogmerke met die gemeente te bereik. Die sosio-retoriese analise van hierdie gedeelte van Paulus se sendbrief ondersoek sosiaal-kulturele, intertekstuele en ideologiese aspekte van die brief. 1 Kor 4:14-21 is die hoogtepunt van die eerste gedeelte van Paulus se betoog vir ὁμόνια (eenheid) en hy versterk sy argument deur middel van weldoenerskap. Op uitsonderlike wyse posisioneer hy hom as vader van die gemeente: in sy betoog beklee hy hom met patria potestas (absolute gesag). Paulus se gebruik van ‘n challenge-riposte en van ‘n inkomium verleen groter seggenskrag aan sy direktief om hom na te volg; μιμηταί μου γίνεσθε (volg my na). Die uitkoms van hierdie studie is dat Paulus die imperiale orde ook op verskeie wyses sterk teëstaan. Wat Paulus verkondig het te make met ‘n alternatiewe Κύριος (Heer) en ‘n gans andersoortige koninkryk. Hy tree op as ‘n bemiddelaar (broker) tussen Christus en die gemeenskap, maar poog nie om sosiale bevordering te bewerkstellig, soos bepaal deur die norme van die imperial orde nie. Daar is dus ‘n aanwesige spanning in Paulus se retoriek wat dui daarop dat Paulus dimensies van die Ryk, soos weldoenerskap, ondergeskik gestel het aan sy eie doelwitte. Die slotsom waartoe geraak word, is dat by Paulus meer as suiwer politieke motivering enersyds, of bloot geestelike motivering andersyds, aanwesig was. Hierin is sowel die krag as die misterie van sy betoog geleë.