Bowens, An Apostle in Battle

NEW BOOK FROM MOHR SIEBECK:

LISA M. BOWENS

An Apostle in Battle
Paul and Spiritual Warfare in 2 Corinthians 12:1–10

[Ein Apostel in der Schlacht. Paulus und geistige Kriegsführung im 2. Korinther 12:1–10.]
2017. XIV, 260 pages.
Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2. Reihe 433

79,00 €
sewn paper
ISBN 978-3-16-154860-4
available

Published in English.
In this close reading of 2 Corinthians 12:1–10, Lisa M. Bowens provides a detailed historical-critical exegesis and comparative analysis to establish that Paul links his ascent in 2 Corinthians 12:1–10 to 2 Corinthians 10:3–6 where he foregrounds a cosmic battle around the mind and the knowledge of God. In 10:3–6, the apostle presents a trilateral framework of cosmology, epistemology, and theological anthropology, which converge in his heavenly journey. Lisa M. Bowens examines a variety of Jewish and Greco-Roman texts and calls attention to the persistence and importance of martial imagery in chapters 10–13 of Second Corinthians, including in Paul's ascent narrative. Moreover, prayers of deliverance from evil forces become more prevalent around the first century, and this work situates Paul's request in 2 Corinthians 12:8 within this genre.