The Ritual World of Paul the Apostle - (Library of New Testament Studies) by Michael Lakey

Book Synopsis

Michael Lakey explores the theological significance of the rituals of Baptism and the Lord's Supper in Pauline theology, with the argument culminating in an analysis of the significance of ritual dining in 1 Corinthians 10:14-22 and the Lord's Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. By contrast with 'social world' forms of comparison between rituals in the Pauline communities and other communities in antiquity, this study focuses primarily upon the theologically integrating function these rituals perform in relation to Paul's theology and ethics.

Lakey builds upon Clifford Geertz's systemic understanding of religion by showing how, for Paul, Baptism and the Lord's Supper facilitate specific connections between his metaphysics on the one hand, and the form or pattern of life he enjoins upon his churches on the other. This volume considers precisely what - given his theological and ethical premises - Paul's underlying beliefs regarding these ritual events may have been, allowing for a preliminary discussion of specific lines of post-interpretation in the early patristic period.

Review Quotes

"This volume benefits New Testament scholarship in various ways. [It] explores how the fundamental, Christ-narrative underlies Pauline metaphysics, ethics, and rituals. Thus, this monograph will be a helpful dialogue partner for biblical scholars working on narratives, either explicit or implicit. Lakey's book will doubtlessly guide those interested in interpreting Paul's ritual passages and understanding the referenced rituals within the Pauline symbolic network ... I also believe that this monograph points to a fruitful way (i.e., interpretative anthropology) to advance the perennial task of describing New Testament theology." --Donghyun Jeong, Society of Biblical Literature

About the Author

Michael Lakey is Lecturer in New Testament at Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford, UK.