Feb 04 2008
Wisdom fails to pay the Fee for christological entry
I’ve been meaning to find some time – and failing miserably – to interact with Gordon Fee’s Pauline Christology. In particular I want to take a long hard look at his attempts to place Wisdom christology beyond use. I must say that I approach this idea with no expectation of being convinced by Fee. This is not only because of the superficially (at least) obvious statements such as “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24). It is, rather because I think that using the idea of the wisdom of God for Christ is also for Paul part of an overall package of Christ versus Torah as pattern of obedience, and identity-giver to God’s people.
It is not that Paul, looking around for ideas by which to express his christological views, happens on a possible OT / LXX personification as a great wheeze. Rather, seeing Christ as the one in whom Torah’s life-giving, God-mediating, identity bearing role is fulfilled, he takes over the language about Torah that was beginning to develop. Wisdom language and thinking is something one would expect to see in Paul’s christology, not because it was a handy peg to hang ideas on, but because it is an integral part of Paul’s overall development of a christocentric understanding of God with his people.
I would be interested in hearing what others make of this idea of Fee’s and of his arguments, while I’m still finding time to give it some thought.