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According to the traditional perspective, the early Christians refused to continue with the temple sacrifice. Christ on the cross had already atoned for all sins. Recently, other scholars, especially those belonging to the Radical New Perspective on Paul (or "Paul within Judaism" research), have argued instead that Paul carried on with temple worship, considered it efficacious, and expected Christ-following Jews to continue with the sacrifice. In this research we will investigate the positions of the different perspectives on Paul's attitude toward Jewish sacrifices and evaluate the arguments at stake. Our research leads us to the conclusion that Paul did not consider the temple sacrifices a problem, but neither did he give them any salvific relevance for the recipients of his letters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The meaning of the phrase τὰ στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου in Gal 4,3 has been debated for nearly two millenia. A new understanding of Paul's utilization of the term τοῦ κόσμου is considered in this essay. In addition to ὁ κόσμος meaning "the world" in Gal 4,3, an argument can be made that ὁ κόσμος is a reference to the "adornment" of the penis (i. e., the foreskin). The lexicographical evidence supports this reading. In other words, the reference to κόσμος in Gal 4,3 is an additional critique of the Galatians' decision to circumcise the male members of their communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpreters who have claimed that Paul viewed the heavenly bodies of 1Cor 15,40–41 as living beings have used two basic arguments that are each beset by inherent weaknesses. One enumerates the views of various Hellenistic philosophers and others concerning the animate nature of the stars. The other argument claims that all usages of σῶμα in Paul refer to organic entities. Scholars have often ignored handbooks such as those of Aetius that include many alternative views. Paul based his affirmations on sense experience and probably believed that the heavenly bodies were creations of God — but not animate beings. A corollary of this conclusion is that Paul's statements about heavenly bodies do not indicate anything about the composition of the σῶμα πνευματικόν in 1Cor 15. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present argument proposes a new interpretation for GJudas 57,24, a famously difficult passage in which someone enters a luminous cloud. While scholarship is divided over whether the phrase ⲁϥϥⲱⲕ applies to Judas or Jesus, there is a previously overlooked third option that is syntactically close to hand: it is Judas's star. This translation, further, fits with important themes in the Gospel of Judas, both theological and narratological. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether the author of Hebrews interpreted LXX Ps 8,5–7 as referring to humanity (the anthropological interpretation) or Christ (the Christological interpretation) has been widely debated. This essay strengthens the case for the Christological interpretation. After discussing the connections between Hebr 1,1–13 and 2,5–9, the article focuses on the citation and interpretation of LXX Ps 8,5–7 in Hebr 2,6–9. I contend that the author identified a three stage pattern in the psalm which he sees replicated in Jesus' life. The next stage of the argument shows how in 2,10–18 the author only applies two stages to the lives of believers. Believers do not complete the third stage which indicates that, for the author of Hebrews, the psalm is first about Jesus and then applicable to humanity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How do metaphoric texts interact with their argumentative context? After explaining the use and functioning of metaphors in communicative acts, the essay focusses on similes and parables as extended metaphors. Mark 3:22–30 is studied in detail, examining the function of the metaphors used in the argumentative dispute. The example shows that parables and similes can have different functions in arguments. As comparative illustration, they can support the argument, but the solution of the dispute can also be expressed in metaphor only. In both cases however, metaphoric speech is based on analogy and servient to the surrounding argument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]