Apostasy in the Wilderness: Paul's Message To the Corinthians in a State of Eschatological Liminality

Abstract

Certain interpretative approaches have coloured the conclusions of some recent scholarly works on the subject of apostasy. Judith Gundry Volf's topical-exegetical method is one example. This article argues that the content of Paul's description of the Israelites in the wilderness focuses upon the notions of apostasy and eschatol ogy. As a point of departure, a cultural anthropological approach is used to illuminate 1 Cor. 10.1-12. Paul presupposes a Jewish apocalyptic understanding of eschatology in the language of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, and the apostle's perspective is compared with the liminal processes of pilgrimages and rites of passage as discussed by cultural anthropologist Victor Turner. In light of this perspective, Paul is warning the Corinthian congregation that, although they had been initiated into the body of Christ through a separation process that was prefigured in Israel's exodus, many of them may be in danger of committing apos tasy during their liminal stage before reaching the aggregative goal of their lifelong journey.