Murphy-O’Connor-the thorn and a new base

Posted on September 28, 2017 by jamesbradfordpate

theoutwardquest

If you have been following my summaries of Jerome Murphy-O’Connor’s Paul: A Critical Life, you have become aware of his comprehensive theory that Paul broke decisively with his base church at Antioch after his confrontation with Peter there. Furthermore, the Antioch church then plagued Paul by sending people to subvert his Gentile mission in Galatia, at Philippi, and as far as Corinth.

This theory of the break with Antioch and the continuing opposition of Judaizers representing that church shaped Murphy-O’Connor’s position on several things.  Today I want to point out how it affects two issues and causes him to hold a distinctive view on those.

First, is the issue of Paul’s “thorn in the flesh”.  Paul mentioned this in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10:

Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me – so that I…

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About jamesbradfordpate

My name is James Pate. This blog is about my journey. I read books. I watch movies and TV shows. I go to church. I try to find meaning. And, when I can’t do that, I just talk about stuff that I find interesting. I have degrees in fields of religious studies. I have an M.Phil. in the History of Biblical Interpretation from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. I also have an M.A. in Hebrew Bible from Jewish Theological Seminary, an M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School, and a B.A. from DePauw University.
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