B. J.

Oropeza

Paul and Apostasy

Eschatology, Perseverance and Falling Away in the Corinthian
Congregation

[Eschatologie, Beharrlichkeit und Abfall vom Glauben in der korinthischen Gemeinde. Von B. J.
Oropeza.]

Published in English.
B. J. Oropeza presents the concepts of apostasy and perseverance in the light of recent
interpretative and intertextual methods. He argues that the Pauline messages include warnings
to congregation members who are in danger of falling away. Paul often considers these
members to be authentic converts to the early Christian message. A prime example of this is
presented in the apostle's use of the Exodus-wilderness traditions in 1 Corinthians 10:1–13. In
an e ort to persuade the members against apostasy, Paul echoes examples from the Jewish
traditions regarding Israel's divine election and punishments. The Corinthians are exhorted not
to conduct themselves in a manner that parallels the Israelites who, after crossing the Red Sea,
were rejected by God in the wilderness because they committed vices. If the Corinthians
commit the same vices in their own spiritual journey, they will su er divine judgment before
the culmination of the eschaton. This language is located within larger rhetorical arguments
related to the problems of meat sacri ced to idols, congregational factions and eschatological
misperceptions. B. J. Oropeza also deals with theological perspectives associated with the
perseverance of the saints, including the Calvinist and Arminian traditions. He thus provides a
2000. XIII, 318 pages. compelling alternative approach to the theological controversy.
WUNT II 115

ISBN 978-3-16-147307-4
sewn paper 69,00 € B. J. Oropeza Born 1961; 1990–95 Research Associate, Christian Research Institute, Rancho Santa
Margarita, CA; 1989–99 Instructor of Theology, Victory Outreach International, La Puente, CA;
1998–2000 Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion, George Fox University, Newberg, OR.

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