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The Power of Resurrection: Early Christian Resistance Through the Rise of Disciplinary Power

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The Power of Resurrection: Early Christian Resistance Through the Rise of Disciplinary Power University of Denver Digital Commons @ DU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 1-1-2018 The Power of Resurrection: Early Christian Resistance Through the Rise of Disciplinary Power Patrick G. Stefan University of Denver Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd Part of the Christianity Commons, History of Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Stefan, Patrick G., "The Power of Resurrection: Early Christian Resistance Through the Rise of Disciplinary Power" (2018). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1450. https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/1450 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at Digital Commons @ DU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ DU. For more information, please contact [email protected],[email protected]. The Power of Resurrection: Early Christian Resistance through the Rise of Disciplinary Power ________________ A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the University of Denver and the Iliff School of Theology Joint PhD Program University of Denver ________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy ________________ by Patrick G. Stefan June 2018 Advisor: Dr. Pamela Eisenbaum © Copyright by Patrick G. Stefan 2018 All Rights Reserved Author: Patrick G. Stefan Title: The Power of Resurrection: Early Christian Resistance through the Rise of Disciplinary Power Advisor: Dr. Pamela Eisenbaum Degree Date: June 2018 Abstract This dissertation is an analysis of the spread of Christianity in the first three centuries and the commensurate activation and development of what Michel Foucault calls disciplinary mechanisms of power. It sets out to explore two questions, first, what were the theoretical conditions that led to Christianity’s rapid expansion? And second, what were the historical precursors to the mechanisms of disciplinary power? It then seeks to combine these two questions to propose that early Christianity was successful in overtaking the Roman Imperial government because it activated underlying disciplinary mechanisms of power in a world governed and controlled by sovereign power. Through this activation it created a space within which the Christian subject could be formed and envision life outside the sovereign power of Caesar. To demonstrate this thesis, this dissertation begins with the claim that the idea of resurrection was inherently subversive in nature, and took on a significant, if not primary role in the formation of early Christian identity. Following this claim, it develops through commensurate chapters that show how the idea of resurrection became instantiated in various material and textual forms, and how this instantiation activated disciplinary mechanisms of power. Namely, it looks specifically at the formation of the Christian calendar, adaptation of Christian architecture, theological development of the soul and the nature of the post-resurrected Jesus, and the construction of the Christian martyr. The ii collection of historically substantive chapters, by necessity, function together. I propose that through their relation they demonstrate a coalescence of mechanisms of disciplinary power on the micro-level of force relations, which thereby constitutes a system that is resistant to Roman sovereign power. Throughout this dissertation, each point of historical evidence is connected to Foucault’s mechanisms of disciplinary power both demonstrate this coalescence and document the long history behind these techniques of power. Further, I demonstrate that each mechanism arises in connection with the idea of the resurrection. This connection, between the mechanisms of power and the idea of resurrection, provides the necessary theoretical foundation to the claim that the resurrection of Jesus is a subversive idea. In short, this dissertation demonstrates that correlative with the rise of the Christian movement was the activation of disciplinary techniques of power which stood in contrast with Rome’s sovereign power. It then proposes that this correlation contributes to the explanation for Christianity’s early expansion. iii Acknowledgments This dissertation would never have come about if not for the many people who have influenced, shaped, and inspired me along the way. First, my advisory committee, composed of Gregory Robbins, Thomas Nail, and, most importantly, my advisor Pamela Eisenbaum provided insightful comments, encouraging remarks, a critical eye, and the gift and freedom of curiosity and imagination. Without your guidance, this project would never have become a reality. Thank you for allowing me to undertake such a vast thesis! I remember also the many professors and students along the way, at the Univ. of Denver, the Iliff School of Theology, and Reformed Theological Seminary, D.C., who counseled, taught, and inspired me, most specifically Peter Lee who encouraged me to pursue a PhD. I also remember the Marines with whom I served in Iraq in 2003, an experience that shaped me and drew me toward the study of religion. I would be remiss to mention the congregations in Longmont, CO and Rochester, NY, whom I pastored through my doctoral process and whose care kept me going and inspired many ideas. Most importantly, I recognize my family. Thank you to my parents who raised me with love and support. To my boys, Luke, Ian, and Nathan: thank you for bearing with me over the past few years—you three inspire me! In 2005, less than two years removed from combat, my wife, Danielle, sat me down, gave me a gift, and said that she would support me as I pursued my dream of being a scholar. Primarily because of her, I have reached that goal. This work is directly attributable to my wife’s support, grace, love, and care over the past 16 years. She patiently waited for me and encouraged me as I discovered myself. This work is dedicated to Danielle, without whom this project would not be possible. – Soli Deo Gloria. iv Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ iv Table of Contents ............................................................................................................ v List of Figures .............................................................................................................. viii Chapter One: Introduction ................................................................................. 1 Uncertain Beginnings ......................................................................................... 1 Resurrection as Subversion: The Thesis ........................................................... 2 Situating the Method ......................................................................................... 6 The Social-Scientific Approach ................................................................ 9 The Postcolonial/Literary Approach ....................................................... 10 A Mediate Approach .............................................................................. 17 Chapter Two: Resurrection as Subversion—A Pauline Trajectory ............... 21 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 21 Resurrection: The Back-Story ......................................................................... 22 The Beginnings: Hebrew Bible ............................................................... 23 The Development: Post-Biblical, Second-Temple Literature................... 26 The Setting: The Roman Empire ............................................................ 30 Paul’s Apocalypse: Confronting the Empire .................................................. 37 The Cross: Rome’s Reality ..................................................................... 39 Paul on the Cross .................................................................................... 42 God on the Cross .................................................................................... 47 A Philosophical Shift .............................................................................. 55 Conclusion: The Subversive Potential of Resurrection .................................. 60 Chapter Three: Foucault and the Power of Resurrection ............................... 62 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 62 Power: A Primer .............................................................................................. 64 Toward a Definition of Power ................................................................ 65 Apparatuses of Power ...................................................................................... 68 Sovereign Power .................................................................................... 68 Disciplinary Power ................................................................................. 73 Techniques of Power (or, the characteristics of the individual) ..................... 78 Instruments of Power (or, how disciplinary power gets going) ...................... 82 Power and Historical Periodizations ..............................................................
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