Corporate Elements in Pauline Anthropology. A study of selected terms, idioms, and concepts in the light of Paul's usage and background

In this book the author, claiming that modern western biblical scholarship, greatly influenced by extreme individualism, has not paid due attention to the corporate dimension of Pauline anthropoiogy, investigates the following elements in Paul's let­ters in the light of his usage and background: (1) Paul's "in Christ" formula, (2) his comparison and contrast of Adam and Christ, (3) his concept of the church as the body of Christ and (4) as the temple, house, and building of God, and (5) his understanding of the sexual union as "one flesh." The author insists that these elements, closely interwoven in concept and realistic in expression, indicate that Paul understands the risen Christ as a corporate person in whom all believers are included and the church as a corporate solidarity inclusive of both Christ and believers. Underlying this concept is, the author argues, Paul's assumption of the corporate solidarity of human exis­tence. Paul views man not only as an individual but also as a corporate person whose existence extends in certain respects beyond his individual being to form corporate solidarity with others. This view of man both as an individual and corporate ' person, the author concludes, has significant implications for the rest of Pauline theology, particularly for his Christology, ecclesiology, and eschatology.