About the Idol Offerings: Rhetoric, Social Context and Theology of Paul’s Discourse in First Corinthians 8:1-11:1

Paul’s exposition About The Idol Offerings in Chapters 8-10 of his First Letter to the Corinthians is a fascinating text. This book offers an analysis of St. Paul’s use of rhetoric and his skills as an able communicator in propounding early Christian ideas. The author develops the themes of Paul’s exposition to show an insight into the social context of his time at Corinth, in particular the precarious position, which the nascent Christian community held within an urban environment. From the exposition it is clear that the early believers were involved in disputes concerning social exclusion or integration. Paul’s arguments have a timeless quality that resonates among social minorities to this day. Finally, the author assesses the theological impact of Paul’s exposition. Here we encounter an unmistakably Jewish Paul, for whom the Shema is his basic rule of faith, at the same time his guiding principles and adherence to Christ marks out a complex theological psychology. The tensions of faith within one man mirror a tragic history between religions. Paul exemplifies how we have to learn to live with conflicting relationships in a positive way.