Metaphors and Social Identity Formation in Paul's Letters to the CorinthiansWhy did Paul frequently employ a diverse range of metaphors in his letters to the Corinthians? Was the choice of these metaphors a random act or a carefully crafted rhetorical strategy? Did the use of metaphors shape the worldview and behavior of the Christ-followers? In this innovative work, Kar Yong Lim draws upon Conceptual Metaphor Theory and Social Identity Theory to answer these questions. Lim illustrates that Paul employs a cluster of metaphors--namely, sibling, familial, temple, and body metaphors--as cognitive tools that are central to how humans process information, construct reality, and shape group identity. Carefully chosen, these metaphors not only add colors to Paul's rhetorical strategy but also serve as a powerful tool of communication in shaping the thinking, governing the behavior, and constructing the social identity of the Corinthian Christ-followers. |
Contents
3 | |
Reading Pauls Metaphor through Social Identity Theory | 26 |
Sibling Metaphor | 51 |
Familial Metaphors | 93 |
Temple Metaphor | 137 |
Body Metaphor | 159 |
Paul Metaphors and Social Identity Formation | 191 |
203 | |
229 | |
235 | |
Other editions - View all
Metaphors and Social Identity Formation in Paul’s Letters to the Corinthians Kar Yong Lim Limited preview - 2017 |
Metaphors and Social Identity Formation in Paul's Letters to the Corinthians Kar Yong Lim No preview available - 2017 |
Common terms and phrases
Aasgaard addressing ancient apostle argues that Paul Aristotle Asklepios audience behavior belonging Biblical body imagery body metaphor body of Christ brothers and sisters chapter Christ-community Christ-followers Christian identity church Cicero cognitive conflicts context Corinth Corinthian Body Corinthian letters Corinthians culture described Dio Chrysostom divisions Early Christianity elites emphasized Epictetus Epistle example exhorted Eyben familial metaphors father fictive kinship function further discussion Gaventa gentile God’s temple gospel Greco-Roman world holy household Ibid infant ingroup Jerusalem Jewish kinship Konsmo Lord’s Supper Martin Meeks meta NRSV nursing mother one’s outgroup parents paterfamilias Paul’s letters Pauline Christianity Pauline community phor Plutarch Quintilian reference relationship rhetorical role Saller Sandnes shared sibling imagery sibling metaphor slave social identity formation social status source domain speaking in tongues Spirit studies suggests temple imagery temple metaphor Testament theological tion tongues underscores understanding unity voluntary associations word worship ἀδελφοί ἐκκλησία καὶ ναός