Corinth
I am a scholar of Scriptures, with special emphasis on the New Testament and early Christian Literature. My interest is in slavery: its rhetoric in Scripture, how others have interpreted passages related to slavery, and what we do with the language of slavery in today’s context.
Dissertation
I am a PhD Candidate at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA currently writing a dissertation on slavery in the Christian Scriptures. My research is focused on slavery in 1 Corinthians 7:21-24 and is entitled “‘For You Were Bought with a Price’: Slaves, Sex, and Self-Control in a Pauline Community”. This is an interesting passage because it is one of the few times that Paul addresses slavery directly. Even more interesting is that the translation of 7:21 is unclear. Depending on the translation you consult, Paul either suggests that slaves remain in slavery or try to find a state of freedom. My dissertation will explore why I believe that he suggested slaves find freedom when possible.
Why do I believe that Paul advocated for slaves to find freedom? We know that slaves were part of many early Jesus-following communities, and as such, it is likely that Paul included them in the general instructions he gave to communities. Slaves, however, were caught in a bind if they were not permitted to follow the instructions which Paul gave. One reason Paul may have advocated for freedom was so that slaves could in fact participate in the full life of the community.
Temple E, Corinth
To help support this argument, I also utilize the historical theory of “Romanization” to explore the choices made by Paul and the Corinthians. Romanization explores cultural change in the Roman Empire, and the degree to which Roman provinces adopted elite Roman ideals, practices and customs. Was Paul someone who adapted to Romanization or someone who resisted it? Did the Christian in Corinth adopt his view or see their situation a little differently? These are questions that I will address in the final stages of my dissertation.
Additional Academic Interests
- Sibylline Oracle 3
- Luke 12:35-48
- Apocalyptic literature and its use in popular culture today
- Gender construction in the ancient world
- The Bible in popular culture
- Romanization and its intersection with Biblical studies
- Mormon interpretation and vision of Scripture (as an outsider; I’m not affiliated with the LDS Church)