Att fira en måltid. En undersökning av den paulinska nattvardsteologins relation till social rättvisa utifrån Första Korintierbrevet 11:17-34

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the connection between Pauline Eucharist theology in relation to social justice by the First epistle to the Corinthians 11:17–34. What does a textual analysis of 1 Cor. 11:17–34 say about the connection between the Eucharist and social justice? The text is analyzed in dialogue with respected New Testament scholars like Gordon D. Fee, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, and Anthony C. Thiselton, and contemporary political theologians and philosophers like William T Cavanaugh, Margaret Scott, Alexander Schmemann, John H. Yoder, and Slavoj Žižek. The study has shown that the modern theologian thought about the connection between the Eucharist and social justice manifests itself in the Corinthian community as the essence of Pauline Eucharist theology. Therefore, Pauline Eucharist theology also undermines that particular modern theologian thought of Eucharist and social justice. The textual analysis has shown that, firstly, the Lord’s Supper could not be rightly celebrated in the Corinthian community, because of the rich abusing the poor. Secondly, because of this injustice Christ’s self-sacrificial love was not reflected throughout the life of the congregation. Thirdly, by referring to the church tradition Paul appeals to the Corinthians to celebrate the Lord’s Supper correctly, in order to let Christ re-orientate them in love for the other. Thus, the Christian community would come to reflect the crucified Lord and the true body of Christ.