Signs, Wonders, and Gifts: Divination in the Letters of Paul

by Jennifer Eyl

In much of the scholarship on Paul, activities such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, and miracle healings are either ignored or treated as singular occurrences. Typically, these practices are categorized in such a way that shields Paul and his followers from the influence of so-called paganism. In Signs, Wonders, and Gifts, Jennifer Eyl masterfully argues that Paul did, in fact, engage in range of divinatory and wonder-working practices that were widely recognized and accepted across the ancient Mediterranean. Eyl redescribes, reclassifies, and recontextualizes Paul's repertoire vis-�-vis such widespread, similar practices. Situating these activities within the larger framework of reciprocity that dominated human-divine relationships in antiquity, she demonstrates that divine powers and divine communication were bestowed as benefactions toward Paul and his gentile followers in proportion to their faithfulness and loyalty.

272 pages, Hardcover

Published July 1, 2019

Reviews

[Ginger Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his letters, the Apostle Paul frequently refers to the miracles and wondrous works he has performed -- most of which strongly resemble the activities of other ancient wonderworkers who claimed divine powers. This has created a dilemma for New Testament scholars. As the author notes, "Paul's claim to perform miracles and wonders (or things his ancient observers might call _mageia_ [magic]) tend to make Pauline scholars shift uncomfortably in their seats."

What to do? Most scholars have labored to make Paul (and Christianity) seem unique and superior to grubby "pagan" religions, often using loftier translations for language that Paul shared in common with other ancient diviners. Thus: Pagan wizards did cheap magic tricks. Paul revealed God's transformative grace.

This book brings Paul back to earth and places him in his ancient environment, allowing us to glimpse how his contemporaries may have seen him. It's a welcome corrective to much overwrought Pauline scholarship, which sometimes seems to channel Hollywood sword-and-sandals epics -- the kind where angelic voices sing in the background while a ray of light breaks through the clouds, conveniently illuminating a leading-man Christian (hair perfectly coiffed and spotless robes flowing) who sonorously pronounces sacred sayings.

Warning: This is a scholarly work, not an easy read. Nonetheless, after finishing it, you may feel inspired to watch Monty Python's "Life of Brian."

[Jonathan Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t read much in biblical studies these days but this was a rare treat. It situates Paul’s talk about signs, wonders, tongues, prophecy, visions, etc. in the context of divination and magical practices in the Greco Roman world. Especially interesting are discussions of Paul’s reading of scripture in light of Homeric bibliomancy, charismatic powers as divine gift giving and reciprocity, and a fun (but speculative) section about baptism for the dead as potentially a form of sympathetic magic.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just, wow.