
Paul and the Politics of Difference
A Contextual Study of the Jewish-Gentile Difference in Galatians and Romans
Jae Won Lee(Author)
James Clarke & Co Ltd (Publisher)
Published on 26. February 2015
Book
Paperback/Softback
204 pages
978-0-227-17509-5 (ISBN)
Description
Paul lies at the core of the constant debate about the opposition between Christianity and Judaism both in biblical interpretation and public discourse. The so-called new perspective on Paul has not offered a significant break from the formidable paradigm of Christian universalism versus Jewish particularism in Pauline scholarship. This book liberates Paul from the Western logic of identity and its dominant understanding of difference.
Drawing attention to the currency of discourses on difference in contemporary theories as well as in biblical studies, the author critically examines the hermeneutical relevance of a contextual and relational understanding of difference. He applies it to interpret the dynamics of Jew-Gentile difference reflected particularly in meal practices (Gal 2:1-21 and Rom 14:1-15:13) of early Christian communities.
'Paul and the Politics of Difference' argues that by deconstructing the hierarchy of social relations underlying the Jew-Gentile difference in different community situations, Paul promotes a politics of difference. This affirms a preferential option for the socially 'weak' - solidarity with the weak. Paul's politics of difference is invoked as the potential for liberation in a vision of egalitarian justice in the face of contemporary globalism's proliferation of difference.
Drawing attention to the currency of discourses on difference in contemporary theories as well as in biblical studies, the author critically examines the hermeneutical relevance of a contextual and relational understanding of difference. He applies it to interpret the dynamics of Jew-Gentile difference reflected particularly in meal practices (Gal 2:1-21 and Rom 14:1-15:13) of early Christian communities.
'Paul and the Politics of Difference' argues that by deconstructing the hierarchy of social relations underlying the Jew-Gentile difference in different community situations, Paul promotes a politics of difference. This affirms a preferential option for the socially 'weak' - solidarity with the weak. Paul's politics of difference is invoked as the potential for liberation in a vision of egalitarian justice in the face of contemporary globalism's proliferation of difference.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 153 mm
Weight
308 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-227-17509-5 (9780227175095)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Jae Won Lee
Paul and the Politics of Difference
A Contextual Study of the Jewish-Gentile Difference in Galatians and Romans
E-Book
02/2015
James Clarke & Co Ltd
€17.49
Available for download
Person
Jae Won Lee taught as Assistant Professor of New Testament at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago for eight years. She is one of the editors of and a contributor to 'Luke - Acts and Empire: Essays in Honor of Robert L. Brawley' (2011).
Content
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
1 Introduction
2 Theoretical and Hermeneutical Perspectives on Difference
3 Difference and Greco-Roman Meals
4 Difference and Table-fellowship in Antioch (Gal 2:11-21)
5 The "Weak" and the "Strong" at Table in Romans 14:1-15:13
6 Equality with Difference: Solidarity with the "Weak"
Bibliography
Abbreviations
1 Introduction
2 Theoretical and Hermeneutical Perspectives on Difference
3 Difference and Greco-Roman Meals
4 Difference and Table-fellowship in Antioch (Gal 2:11-21)
5 The "Weak" and the "Strong" at Table in Romans 14:1-15:13
6 Equality with Difference: Solidarity with the "Weak"
Bibliography