Durham E-Theses Constructing One Another: Philodemus and Paul on Interdependence in Moral Formation ALLISON, JUSTIN,REID How to cite: ALLISON, JUSTIN,REID (2019) Constructing One Another: Philodemus and Paul on Interdependence in Moral Formation, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/12949/ Use policy This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives 3.0 (CC BY-NC-ND) Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail:
[email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk CONSTRUCTING ONE ANOTHER: PHILODEMUS AND PAUL ON INTERDEPENDENCE IN MORAL FORMATION JUSTIN REID ALLISON SUBMITTED FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT OF THEOLOGY AND RELIGION DURHAM UNIVERSITY 2018 ABSTRACT In this thesis, I argue that one gains fresh perspective on Paul’s understanding of believers’ interdependence in ‘constructing’ each other in 1 Corinthians by comparison with Philodemus’ vision for interdependence in reciprocal ‘therapy’. Pauline construction and Philodemean therapy are analogous instances of interdependent moral formation, both in concept and practice. Beyond previous comparisons, however, such a pairing is only fruitful if it is methodologically reoriented to both similarities and differences. This reorientation requires expanding the comparison to include additional dimensions of both figures’ perspectives, namely, their socio-economic locations (including their views of economic interdependence) and their theologies. In the first half (chs. two to four), I examine Philodemus’ socio-economic location and theology in the course of describing interdependence in reciprocal moral therapy via frank criticism among friends (drawing from his treatise On Frank Criticism).