Abstract

This dissertation in Biblical Studies interprets 1 Corinthians in a way that would integrate faith with academic research and modern historical-critical methods with postmodern hermeneutical and philosophical theories. ;The work is divided into four chapters. The first one surveys some of the methodological, hermeneutical, philosophical and theological approaches that have been applied to 1 Corinthians and its readers by recent scholarship. Three strategies for reading 1 Corinthians in the 21st century are then selected, based on their potential for opening up the text in new ways that would both deepen the readers' understanding of Paul's letter and enrich their faith. ;The second chapter of the dissertation explores 1 Corinthians in terms of aporias. Derived from the philosophical-theological work of Paul Ricoeur and Douglas McGaughey, "aporia" designates something that is perplexing and tensive already at the theoretical level and not easily resolved. The tension between living both under the rule of God and of "this age" is one example of the aporias that permeate Paul's letter. ;The third section approaches 1 Corinthians in terms of Mikhail Bakhtin's notion of dialogism. This focus on the conversations, dialogues and quarrels that occur between Paul and the Corinthians in the text, among the Corinthian factions "behind the text" and among readers "in front of the text" emphasizes some of the divisive issues that are central to this letter. Part of the chapter examines the dialogues about women and their role in the church, both in the text and among readers today. ;The fourth chapter is a reading of 1 Corinthians in terms of discerning, decision making and judging, since much of the letter discusses decisions that have been made or ought to be made by the Corinthians about people, beliefs, behaviors and situations. The tension between knowing and loving and between freedom and the law of Christ forms the measuring rod for Paul's own discernment and decision making and may still be regarded as the basis for judging what is appropriate to living in the reign of God