‘It’s the Ritual, Stupid!’

Abstract

Abstract This paper seeks to interrelate the ritual turns in biblical studies and systematic theology, in order to explore whether the latter can be used to further the former. In order to do so, first, the ritual turn in biblical studies is outlined, second, aspects of the ritual turn in systematic theology are presented, third, an exegetical case study focusing on 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 is presented, and fourth and finally, conclusions on this experiment are offered. In doing so, the paper will interact in particular with recent work by Catherine Pickstock and somewhat older work by Paul of Tarsus.