Circumcision gone wrong: Paul's message as a case of ritual disruption

This article considers Paul's message about male circumcision as a case of ritual disruption, which functions as an informant on the notions of inclusion and exclusion of its cultural context. Paul's challenge to existing social norms with regard to proselyte circumcision allows us to bett...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
1. VerfasserIn: Neutel, Karin B. (VerfasserIn)
Medienart: Druck Aufsatz
Sprache:Englisch
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Veröffentlicht: NTWSA [2016]
In: Neotestamentica
Jahr: 2016, Band: 50, Heft: 2, Seiten: 373-396
RelBib Classification:AG Religiöses Leben; materielle Religion
CD Christentum und Kultur
HB Altes Testament
HC Neues Testament
HD Frühjudentum
KAB Kirchengeschichte 30-500; Frühchristentum
weitere Schlagwörter:B Frühjudentum
B Paulus Apostel, Heiliger
B Jewish eschatology
B Jewish proselyte circumcision
B Rituale
B male circumcision
B Ritual disruption
B Beschneidung Mann
B Ritus
B Pauline Letters
B Gentile inclusion
Parallele Ausgabe:Elektronisch
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:This article considers Paul's message about male circumcision as a case of ritual disruption, which functions as an informant on the notions of inclusion and exclusion of its cultural context. Paul's challenge to existing social norms with regard to proselyte circumcision allows us to better see the ways in which circumcision is thought to construct and deconstruct relationships. This approach shows that the disruptiveness of Paul's message does not stem from a distinctive understanding of circumcision or from a unique openness to gentiles, as is often assumed. Paul shares the widely held understanding of proselyte circumcision as a rite that marks the transformation of male gentile "outsiders" into Jewish "insiders," yet he strongly denies that it is appropriate for gentiles "in Christ" to undergo this rite, since they already are "insiders." This makes the ritual of proselyte circumcision not merely unnecessary, but even harmful, since it negates gentile incorporation through Christ.
ISSN:0254-8356
Enthält:Enthalten in: Neotestamentica