Sacrificing Sacrifices: A Discourse Analysis of 1 Corinthians 8:1-11:1

Abstract

<p>The current scholarly consensus views 1 Corinthians 8:1-11:1 as a coherent response to an inquiry concerning idol food. There are, however, numerous interpretive issues which remain unresolved. After providing a brief introduction to discourse analysis and to the field of Systemic Functional Linguistics, this thesis presents a model of discourse analysis which has been formulated specifically for the study of 8:1-11:1. It then examines the passage's textual, interpersonal, and ideational meanings, seeking to discern how the Greek text hangs together, what kind of social negotiation it performs, and how Paul conceives of the things he is talking about. A concluding chapter brings these three components together and presents a unified reading.</p>