The Rustle of Paul: Autobiographical Narratives in Romans, Corinthians, and Philippians

Scott S. Elliott reconsiders the autobiographical statements Paul makes throughout his letters (particularly Philippians 3:4b-6; Romans 7:14-25; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 and 2 Corinthians 12:1-10) in light of the theoretical work of Roland Barthes.

Elliott draws particularly on Barthes’ later poststructuralist writings, many of which touch either directly or indirectly on self-narration (e.g., Roland Barthes by Roland Barthes, Mourning Diary, Camera Lucida, and A Lover’s Discourse: Fragments). These provide fruitful dialogue partners with which Elliott can interrogate and examine Paul’s own writings and consider the ways in which Paul saw himself and how the application of this theory can yield a greater understanding of Paul’s letters.

Scott S. Elliott is Professor in the Department of Philosophy, Religion, and Leadership at Adrian College (Michigan, USA). He is the author of Reconfiguring Mark’s Jesus: Narrative Criticism After Poststructuralism (2011) and co-editor of Bible and Theory: Essays in Biblical Interpretation in Honor of Stephen D. Moore (2020).