Abstract

Death features as an important concept in the Pauline writings in the New Testament for a number of reasons. However, the intriguing way in which the apostle at times addressed death as positive notion in itself, was traditionally related to Paul�s theological convictions and his understanding of the death of Christ in particular. The remarkably pointed way in which Paul positively celebrated death in Philippians 1:21 borders on invoking a martyrological paradigm, and raises questions about his convictions regarding life, and bodily existence in particular. Interesting analogies emerge when Paul�s celebration of death is compared in a concluding section with contemporary, popular instances where death is � even if for different reasons � presented as �gain�.

Highlights

  • DEATH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, AND BEYONDIt is almost a cliché to claim that death has been a major topic of interest and discussion in human societies from the earliest times

  • It is certainly true that death and with what lies beyond death, feature prominently in the New Testament, reflecting the interests of these documents and representing the reflections of a certain era

  • The understanding of death in the New Testament traditions was informed by the traditional insight regarding death in the Hebrew Bible, which was characterised by three dimensions, namely death as a “metaphor for those things which detract from life as Yahweh intended it”, and “as a ‘power’ in opposition to the created order”, and “for biological cessation” (Bailey 1979:97-101) –in other words, death can have a symbolic, mythological or biological meaning

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Summary

INTRODUCTION

It is almost a cliché to claim that death has been a major topic of interest and discussion in human societies from the earliest times. The understanding of death in the New Testament traditions was informed by the traditional insight regarding death in the Hebrew Bible, which was characterised by three dimensions, namely death as a “metaphor for those things which detract from life as Yahweh intended it”, and “as a ‘power’ in opposition to the created order”, and “for biological cessation” (Bailey 1979:97-101) –in other words, death can have a symbolic, mythological or biological meaning Others argue against such a tripartite division, blaming it for domesticating Hebrew Bible perspectives on death which generally saw death as posing a significant challenge to life: “Death can be understood and accepted as a natural part of God’s order, but the people of the Hebrew Bible experienced individual and communal death, which was far more pervasive than biological cessation” (Richards 1992:108-110)[2]. Only one instance (Phil 1:21) is considered, mainly because death is presented in such a positive light in this text

DEATH AS AMBIGUOUS SCOURGE IN NEW TESTAMENT TIMES4
Paul’s letters on death
Death and resurrection in Paul
PAUL’S “THEOLOGY OF DEATH AND DYING”
Choosing between life or death in Philippians
Death as martyrdom in Philippians?
25 Unlike the rest of the NT
Death as suicide in Philippians?
CELEBRATING DEATH
CONCLUSION
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