Date of Award
Spring 1992
Document Type
Dissertation - Restricted
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Theology
First Advisor
Kurz, William
Second Advisor
Edwards, Richard
Third Advisor
Stockhausen, Carol
Abstract
This study is an attempt to answer the question, "what is Paul's theology of the cross, and how did it develop in the six epistles, I Thessalonians, Galatians, I Corinthians, II Corinthians, Romans, and Philippians?" The first aspect of the problem consists in explaining what Paul means in the most densely packed passage on this subject: I Corinthians 1:18-25. This is done in close observance of the contextual setting of chaps. I and 2, and of the epistle as a whole. The second aspect of the problem of this study lies in answering the question, "is there development in Paul's teaching on the cross, and can we see growth in this important Pauline topic over time?" The answer is "yes." The study describes how each of these six epistles, arranged in chronological order, helps to provide this answer.