O Childish Galatians! The Triad of Descent, Maturation, and Proper Behavior in Paul’s Letter to the Galatians Restricted; Files Only
McGee, Zane (Spring 2022)
Abstract
Not only is Galatians Paul’s most fiery letter, but the epistle is a touchpoint for many of the most hotly debated issues in Pauline studies. One of the few (nearly) incontestable features of the letter is the centrality of “sonship” to Paul’s argument, especially in Gal 3– 4. This makes it all the more surprising to observe that the closely related elements of household, family, kinship, and childhood have been largely overlooked when interpreting the letter in favor of more “theologically” oriented perspectives. In response to this, the current project emphasizes these neglected elements to demonstrate the degree to which the logic of Galatians is saturated with appeals based on aspects of youth. Paul frequently invokes the characteristics, stages, and ideals of childhood to contrast the Galatians’ current immature pursuits with the appropriate action expected of those within God’s household. Fully grasping the importance of these features for his rhetorical undertaking requires first understanding the popular notions and ideals of childhood in antiquity.
The historical investigation of this study reveals that in discussions on youth, the concepts of descent, maturation, and proper behavior emerge as a distinct triad of interrelated features. Approaching Galatians with this grouping in mind brings the function of childhood rhetoric within the letter into sharper focus. In the course of his argument, Paul assures the Galatians of their proper lineage within the family of God, already secured through integration into the Son of God, who is the seed of Abraham. However, their attempts to advance in religious standing through additional practices actually amount to regression back to a period of minority rather than progression toward further maturity. Against such practices, Paul asserts that his readers, as free-born children, must direct their efforts instead toward developing Christic behavior within the household of faith. Despite rival teachings, the Galatians’ full standing as children of God is only (and always) secure through integration into and imitation of the Son of God, who loved them and gave himself up for their benefit.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 1
The Ubiquity and Invisibility of Childhood in Galatians Studies 1
Childhood and Family in Recent Galatians Literature 7
Outcomes of the Study 18
Methodology 21
Dissertation Overview 29
PART ONE: DESCENT
CHAPTER ONE: THE VULNERABLE CHILD (GAL 3:1–6) 52
The Precarious Child of Antiquity 54
Jewish Perspectives on Early Childhood 69
Establishing the Framework of Childhood in Galatians 3:1–6 74
CHAPTER TWO: ANCESTRY AND EXEMPLARIES (GAL 3:6–14) 98
Children and Familial Paradigms 101
Jewish Ancestral Paradigms 107
Who is the True Heir of the Faithful Patriarch? (Gal 3:6–14) 109
PART TWO: MATURATION AND REGRESSION
CHAPTER 3: THE MATURE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD (GAL 3:23–4:11) 162
The Household as a Space of Early Maturation 165
Educating Jewish Children in a Roman World 178
The Mature Children of God (Gal 3:23–4:11) 184
CHAPTER 4: THE RISK OF CHILDHOOD REGRESSION (GAL 4:8–20) 224
The Advancement and Hindrance of Educational Progress 226
The Risks for Jewish Children 234
The Impediments of Galatian Maturity (Gal 4:9–20) 236
PART THREE: PROPER BEHAVIOR
CHAPTER 5: FREE-BORN AND SLAVE-BORN CHILDREN (GAL 4:21–5:1) 269
The Status and Behavior of Free-Born Children 270
Freedom and Slavery in a Jewish Context 279
The Galatians’ Matrilineage (Gal 4:21–5:1) 284
CHAPTER 6: BEHAVIOR WITHIN THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH (GAL 5:2–6:18) 307
Education, Virtue, and Noble Deeds 308
A Jewish Education Toward Virtue 316
The Behavior of the Free-Born Galatians (Gal 5:2–6:18) 319
CONCLUSION 350
BIBLIOGRAPHY 362
About this Dissertation
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File download under embargo until 26 May 2028 | 2022-04-01 15:58:20 -0400 | File download under embargo until 26 May 2028 |
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