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Weak Elements, Weak Flesh
Reading Galatians in Conversation with Philo and Greek Medical Discourse
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2023
Summary
In Weak Elements, Weak Flesh, Ernest Clark reinvigorates an ancient interpretation overlooked since the fourth century. Clark argues that when Paul writes “we too were enslaved under the elements of the world,” he means that the elements that compose the cosmos also compose and compromise the flesh, allowing sin to enslave human persons through their bodies (Gal 4.3). This book demonstrates that early Jews introduced the phrase στοιχεῖα τοῦ κόσμου to refer to the material elements: earth, water, air, and fire. Greek medicine understood these elements to mediate the bodily stimuli and desires which enslave the soul. In his philosophy according to the cosmic elements, Philo promotes the law of Moses as the effective way to be “redeemed from slavery” to the flesh and to attain righteousness. Paul’s epistle to the Galatians opposes this sort of “redemptive nomism.” Paul accepts that weak elements compose the weak flesh and that they mediate sinful stimuli and desires that lead to the actions of the flesh. However, he denies that the law can make people alive or righteous. Instead, Paul prescribes crucifixion with Christ and new life with the Spirit as the cure for sin’s infection of the flesh made of weak elements.
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Bibliographic data
Copyright year
2023
ISBN-Print
978-1-9787-1395-6
ISBN-Online
978-1-9787-1396-3
Publisher
Lexington, Lanham
Language
English
Pages
276
Product type
Book Titles
Table of contents
ChapterPages
Contents No access
Tables No access
Foreword No access
Acknowledgments No access
List of Abbreviations No access
Introduction No access Pages 1 - 30
The Term “Στοιχεια Του Κοσμου” in Ancient Greek and Early Jewish Works No access Pages 31 - 58
The Concept of Enslavement under “Στοιχεια Του Κοσμου” in Ancient Greek and Early Jewish Works No access Pages 59 - 94
The Argument for Redemptive Nomism in Philo’s Philosophy According to the “Στοιχεια Του Κοσμου” No access Pages 95 - 124
The Flesh and Sin: Enslaved Under the Στοιχεια Του Κοσμου No access Pages 125 - 148
The Law Against the Στοιχεια and the Flesh No access Pages 149 - 186
The Son and the Spirit Against the Στοιχεια and the Flesh No access Pages 187 - 210
