Androgynous Pauline: Queering Gendering Expressions in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Michael Van Huis BIBL 440.J1
03.11.13
Androgynous Pauline: Queering Gender Expressions in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Introduction At Abilene Christian University, the predominating discourse towards biblical exegesis circulates around two methodologies, the synchronic (social-rhetorical) and diachronic (historical-critical) approaches.1 Although both methods are required for valid exegesis, the tendency to gloss over nontraditional hermeneutics could tentatively result in detrimental ministry, specifically to nontraditional people groups. Failure to see through diverse perspectives almost always results in tragedy. Therefore, the purpose of this short exposition is to highlight the value of nontraditional hermeneutics, by exposing Pauline androgyny located within 1 Thessalonians 1:2-12. In order to justify such an audacious claim, the pericope is approached through the perspective of queer theory. Yet before illuminating over androgyny, this analysis will first explore queer terminology and methodology. Following the summary, the remaining pages will seek to vindicate Paul as androgynous by centering on his transgressive gender expressions. Queer Terminology: Three Definitions There are three common utilizations of the term “queer.” First, there is a reductive and pejorative usage of “queer,” ubiquitous in fundamentalist communities. Second, “queer” is commonly known “as an umbrella term that refers collectively to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, questioning, and other individuals who identify with non-normative sexualities and/or gender identities.”2 Third, “queer” not only infers an individual’s gender or
For more on synchronic and diachronic exegetical strategies, see Michael, Gorman, Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2010), 13-15.
2
1
Patrick, Cheng, Radical Love: An Introduction to Queer Theory (New York: Seabury Books, 2011), 3. 1
Michael Van Huis BIBL 440.J1
03.11.13
Androgynous Pauline: Queering Gender Expressions in 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 Introduction At Abilene Christian University, the predominating discourse towards biblical exegesis circulates around two methodologies, the synchronic (social-rhetorical) and diachronic (historical-critical) approaches.1 Although both methods are required for valid exegesis, the tendency to gloss over nontraditional hermeneutics could tentatively result in detrimental ministry, specifically to nontraditional people groups. Failure to see through diverse perspectives almost always results in tragedy. Therefore, the purpose of this short exposition is to highlight the value of nontraditional hermeneutics, by exposing Pauline androgyny located within 1 Thessalonians 1:2-12. In order to justify such an audacious claim, the pericope is approached through the perspective of queer theory. Yet before illuminating over androgyny, this analysis will first explore queer terminology and methodology. Following the summary, the remaining pages will seek to vindicate Paul as androgynous by centering on his transgressive gender expressions. Queer Terminology: Three Definitions There are three common utilizations of the term “queer.” First, there is a reductive and pejorative usage of “queer,” ubiquitous in fundamentalist communities. Second, “queer” is commonly known “as an umbrella term that refers collectively to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, questioning, and other individuals who identify with non-normative sexualities and/or gender identities.”2 Third, “queer” not only infers an individual’s gender or
For more on synchronic and diachronic exegetical strategies, see Michael, Gorman, Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2010), 13-15.
2
1
Patrick, Cheng, Radical Love: An Introduction to Queer Theory (New York: Seabury Books, 2011), 3. 1
Michael Van Huis BIBL 440.J1
Bibliography: Cheng, Patrick. Radical Love: An Introduction to Queer Theory. New York: Seabury Books, 2011. Fry, Paul. “Introduction to Theory and Literature: Queer Theory and Gender Performativity.” Online Course Lecture, Yale University, New Haven, CT, April 14, 2009. Furnish, Victor. Abingdon New Testament Commentary: 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2007. Gorman, Michael. Elements of Biblical Exegesis: A Basic Guide for Students and Ministers. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2010. Killermann, Sam, entry on “Breaking through the binary: Gender explained using continuums,” It’s Pronounced Metrosexual Blog, entry posted November, 2011, http:// itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2011/11/breaking-through-the-binary-gender-explainedusing-continuums/ (accessed March 11, 2013). Marchal, Joseph. “Queer Approaches: Improper Relations with Pauline Letters,” In Studying Paul’s Letters: Contemporary Perspectives and Methods, edited by Joseph Marchal, 210-224. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2012. Smith, James. Who’s Afraid of Postmodernism? Taking Lyotard, Derrida, Foucault to Church. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006. Unknown, Author. “Introduction to Theory and Criticism,” Except from The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism, edited by Vincent Leitch, William Cain, Laurie Finke, Barbara Johnson, John McGowan, T. Denean-Whiting, and Jeffery Williams, 20-25. New York: W.W. Norton & Company Inc, 2001. 7