St. Paul's Opponents and Their Background (1973 Gunther), book
St. Paul's Opponents and Their Background: A Study of Apocalyptic and Jewish Sectarian Teachings (1973) is a book by John J. Gunther.
Abstract
Attempting to fill a gap in contemporary Pauline scholarship, where no systematic attempt had been made to study Paul’s opponents in light of the abundance of new literature available (DSS) and therefore in light of Jewish sectarianism and heterodoxy, due, in part, to the prevailing assumption that the background of Paul’s antagonists was in “official Judaism,” the mystery religions, Hellenistic philosophy, Gnosticism, or syncretism, Gunther here systematically explores those points of disagreement between Paul and his (Christian) opponents with constant reference to a wide range of Christian and Jewish apocryphal literature. He argues that "Christian divisions mirrored earlier Jewish divisions" (p.317). As opposed to seeing a diverse, varied group of interlocutors, Gunther sees sufficient theological coherence in the teachings of Paul’s Judaizing opponents. The background of these adversaries is to be found in a “mystic-apocalyptic, ascetic, non-conformist, syncretistic Judaism, more akin to Essenism than to any other well-known ‘school’ or holiness sect” (315). – Jason Zurawski, University of Michigan
Editions
Published in Leiden: Brill, 1973 (Supplements to Novum Testamentum, 35).
Table of contents
I. Sources
II. Judaic Legalism
- The Law
- Relations to Judaism
- Circumcision
- Observance of Times and Seasons
III. Asceticism
- Food and Drink Restrictions
- Sexual Abstinence
- Holiness
IV. Sacerdotal Separatism
- Washing away Pollution
- Exclusive Sacred Meals
- Priest, Sanctuary and Sacrifice
V. Angelology
VI. Messianism and Pneumatology
- The Person and Work of Christ
- The Spirit
VII. Apocalyptic, Mystic Gnosticism
VIII. Apostolic Authority
IX. 2 Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1
X. Conclusions