Image and Glory of God: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 As A Case Study In Bible, Gender And Hermeneutics

This hermeneutical case-study illustrates the complexities of using biblical materials to shed light upon present-day concerns. The specific situation addressed is the recent evangelical controversy regarding gender roles. A significant strand of this debate concerns the relationship between gender and the doctrine of God. This proposition is derived from 1 Corinthians 11.

Whilst aspects of this argument are criticized, Lakey also argues that questions of God and gender are related. 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 articulates sexual difference using the metaphysical language of antiquity, thereby situating the sexes vis-à-vis each other as microcosms of God and Christ vis-à-vis the cosmos. For Paul, the Church circumscribes that part of the cosmos able to express its creaturely relationship to God.

However, modern interpreters arguably cannot share Paul's cosmological and anthropological assumptions. Lakey points us towards forging a solution for how to interpret as Christian Scripture a text that invites its readers to assume a stance that is now problematic for many modern Christians.

• Table of contents
• 1. Introduction
• 1.1 The Focus Of This Study
• 1.2 Approach To The Topic
• 1.3 The Significance Of The Study
• 1.4 The Development Of The Argument
• 2. A Survey Of The Headship Controversy And Its Background
• 2.1 Introduction
• 2.2 The Context Of The Headship Dispute
• 2.3 A Survey Of The Headship Dispute
• 2.4 Conclusion
• 3. Paul And The Hermeneutics Of The Gender And Trinity Debate
• 3.1 Introduction
• 3.2 The Gender And Trinity Argument: Themes And Variations
• 3.3 The Gender And Trinity Argument: Hermeneutical Assumptions
• 3.4 Response: Anthropology And Epistemology In 1 And 2 Corinthians
• 3.5 Conclusion
• 4. Setting The Exegetical Context: God, Church And World In 1 Corinthians
• 4.1 Introduction
• 4.2 Previous Studies Into Paul's Use Of cosmos
• 4.3 An Exegetical Study Of Paul's Cosmology In 1 Corinthians
• 4.4 Conclusion
• 5. God, Gender And Cosmological Language In 1 Corinthians 11:2-16
• 5.1 Introduction
• 5.2 Preliminary Considerations
• 5.3 Exposition
• 5.4 Discussion
• 5.5 Conclusion
• 6. 1 Corinthians 11:2-16: Hermeneutical Problems And Strategies
• 6.1 Introduction
• 6.2 Hermeneutical Problems With Ancient Texts
• 6.3 Hermeneutical Problems With Ancient Gender Discourses
• 6.4 An Examination Of Representative Interpretative Strategies
• 6.5 Conclusion
• 7. Conclusion
• 7.1 Introduction
• 7.2 Towards A Theological Hermeneutic
• 7.3 Towards A Reading Of The Text
• 7.4 Epilogue