Paul and the Power of Sin
Redefining 'Beyond the Pale'

This 2001 book seeks to ground Paul's language of sin in the socio-cultural context of his original letters.

T. L. Carter (Author)

9780521810418, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 December 2001

256 pages, 6 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 1.9 cm, 0.48 kg

'… deserves the serious attention of all interested in the theology of Paul.' The Expository Times

Paul and the Power of Sin, first published in 2001, seeks to ground Paul's language of sin in the socio-cultural context of his original letters. T. L. Carter draws on the work of social anthropologist Mary Douglas to conduct a cross-cultural analysis of the symbolism of the power of sin in the letters, examining thoroughly Douglas' 'Grid and Group' model and defending its use as a heuristic tool for New Testament scholars. He uses this model to examine the social location of Paul and the communities to which he wrote and offers a fresh insight into key passages from 1 Corinthians, Galatians and Romans. Carter concludes that an important part of Paul's purpose was to safeguard the position of law-free Gentile believers by redrawing social boundaries along eschatological rather than ethnic lines.

1. Introduction
2. 'Grid and Group'
3. Physical and social boundaries in Corinth
4. Exclusive boundaries in Galatia
5. Small bounded groups in Rome
6. Inclusive boundaries in Rome
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Biblical studies & exegesis [HRCG]