Paul, the Fool of Christ: A Study of 1 Corinthians 1-4 in the Comic-Philosophic Tradition (Library of New Testament Studies)
"The book is an outstanding piece of scholarship, solid, innovative, convincing, and a real contribution to the field." Dale Martin, Yale University, New Haven, CT'This is a terrific book. It will add much to our appreciation of what Paul is saying. Larry Welborn's grasp of the sources is superb.' Mark Harding, Australian Association of Theological Schools'Professor Welborn suggests that Paul's discourse about the "folly" of the "word of the cross" employs the language of jest and mime. Therefore he seeks the meaning of "foolishness" in the Greek world, and consistently applies it to Paul's discourse in 1 Corinthians 1-4. Yet it is noteworthy that not until the Corinthian correspondence were the terms "fool" and "folly" applied by certain members of the Corinthian community (the Apollos party) against Paul to describe their impression of the Apostle and his gospel. Combining a meticulous background study with incisive historical analysis, Professor Welborn sheds light on four crucial chapters of the Pauline literature that illuminate Paul's roots in the Greco-Roman world. This work demonstrates both a general erudition and a grasp of Greco-Roman literature that have become rare among current New Testament scholars. Professor Welborn shows himself master of an incredible number of classical texts and scholarly works while at the same time displaying an intimate knowledge of Paul's theology. He is relentless in the pursuit of Paul's theological agenda and demonstrates that because of a general disinclination to fill the streets with crucified slaves Paul was governed by a social constraint in his discourse about the cross. This book is also fascinating to read. The illustrations of mimic fools included in the texts enhance the reader's understanding almost as much as does the author's impressive ability to reach the reader. I recommend this book with the utmost enthusiasm.' Gerd Lindemann, Professor of New Testament, University of G&#246;ttingen, Germany.