Paul and the Crucified Christ in Antioch: Maccabean Martyrdom and Galatians 1 and 2

This Oxford University dissertation (directed by N. T. Wright) interprets the Antiochincident within the framework of Maccabean martyrdom. Cummins argues that both thehistorical and theological significance of the Antioch incident are clarified when viewedthrough this lens. His argument is not simply that Paul conformed his literarypresentation of the Antioch incident to this model but that Paul developed his self-understanding through the image of the Maccabean martyr. The study is divided into twoparts: the first investigates the image of the Maccabean martyr; the second examinesunderstandings of Paul and Christ in Antioch.In the first section Cummins argues, relying largely on 2 Maccabees, that the themes ofthe suffering and vindication of Israel came into sharpest focus around martyr stories.Since martyrs were willing to remain faithful and suffer for God and for the benefit ofGod’s people Israel; their suffering was efficacious for Israel. Through their blood Godacted to preserve Judaism and reestablish the covenant with Israel. Cummins furtherargues that there was “a widespread and coherent Jewish messianism” (39) in SecondTemple Judaism that was associated with the “one like a son of man” in Dan 7. Withinthis stream of expectation, this son of man often served as redeemer and ruler. [Full Review]