Theologies of the Cross and the Mysteries of God: Apostolic Weakness and Divine Power in the Literary Receptions of 1 Cor 2:1-8

Authors

  • Jean Felipe de Assis Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19143/2236-9937.2016v6n12p146-172

Keywords:

Theology of the Cross, Mysteries of God, Gnosticism

Abstract

This last essay of a three-part research on early Jewish-Christian traditions and Gnostic movements examines the reception of 1 Cor 2:1-16. Taking into consideration the Pauline Theology of the Cross, which emphasizes apostolic weakness; and revelations of the mysteries of God to those who were called perfect Christians, which provides empowerment through contemplation of this unveiling. There is an apparent ambiguity in Paul’s arguments with many parallels in the gnostic traditions, apostolic fathers and other patristic texts. There are two clear sections on the textual reference used in this article, representing multiple interpretations throughout Pauline traditions, and revealing a polyphonic situation with ambivalent categories. These two studied sections disclose a polyphonic situation in which opposite perspectives co-exist in religious or cultural expressions. These diverse receptions, attestations and interpretations of the Pauline ideas are natural developments in a complex system of communication, while also requiring a profound dialogue between literary methodologies and theological discourses. Even though scholars are unable to date particular texts and relate them to historical contexts, studies on literary receptions, rhetorical criticisms and ancient textual communications are crucial for the intersections between Religious Studies and Literature. 

Author Biography

Jean Felipe de Assis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

Concluiu o Doutorado em História das Ciências, das Técnicas e Epistemologia em 2015 e um mestrado na mesma área em 2011 com ênfases em Filosofia da Matemática, as tradições fenomenológicas contemporâneas e Hermenêutica, especificamente a partir das abordagens históricas e epistemológicas das Ideias sobre o Infinito e o Espaço. Possui um mestrado em Teologia pela Drew University (2014) em New Jersey e uma graduação na mesma área pelo Instituto Metodista Bennett (2010), dedicando-se às articulações entre os estudos exegéticos, suas metodologias, transformações, assim também suas aplicações e o pensamento filosófico de períodos históricos específicos. Possui uma graduação em Matemática pela Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), concluída em 2009. Devido a esta formação transdisciplinar os temas específicos acima destacados possuem sempre uma forte abordagem histórica e cultural das tradições intelectuais, artísticas e religiosas do ocidente. Os termos e concentrações mais frequentes ao longo do desenvolvimento acadêmico apresentado neste currículo são: Filosofia, Epistemologia, História das Ciências, Filosofia da Matemática, Exegese e Hermenêutica Bíblicas, Cristianismo Primitivo, História do Cristianismo, Filosofia da Religião e Teologia.

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Teoliterária - V 6 - n 12 - 2016

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Published

2016-12-11

How to Cite

de Assis, J. F. (2016). Theologies of the Cross and the Mysteries of God: Apostolic Weakness and Divine Power in the Literary Receptions of 1 Cor 2:1-8. TEOLITERARIA - Revista De Literaturas E Teologias, 6(12), 146–172. https://doi.org/10.19143/2236-9937.2016v6n12p146-172

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Vol. 6 No. 12 (2016): O Mistério se fez Literatura: Figuras, Textos e Estilos

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Artigos

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