Taxonomy and Pauline Uniqueness

Chapter 1 establishes the two primary theoretical approaches of the book. First, the chapter argues for polythetic classification as a more nuanced and accurate approach to understanding Paul’s divination and wonderworking. This approach moves us away from the notion of Chrsitian uniqueness and toward a historically plausible context for divination and divine power. Second, the chapter argues for thinking in terms of modes of religiosity to better understand Paul as a religious figure. I argue that Paul moves in and out of various modes of religiosity that include practical, mundane understandings of the gods, as well as the theoretical, conceptual, and counterintuitive. He participates in dual modes of religiosity simultaneously, and the seamless overlap broadens his ability to reach his audience. Academic theologians themselves operate usually in the secondary mode of religiosity, which further explains why practices of divination and wonderworking have been disparaged, rejected, or ignored. Addressing the issues of taxonomy and modes of religiosity is critical to the entire project.