Boasting

Abstract: Where Is Boasting? Early Jewish Soteriology and Paul's Response in Romans 1-5, by Simon J. Gathercole. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002. Pp. xii + 311. $32.00 (paper). ISBN 0802839916. In this recent work, Simon J. Gathercole, lecturer in NT at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, offers an examination of the theme of boasting in early Judaism and in Rom 1-5 against the eschatological backdrop of the final judgment. This study also provides the occasion for a critical examination of the relative strengths and weaknesses of the New Perspective on Paul. In a wide-ranging introduction, Gathercole first establishes the need for his study, noting that the theme of boasting has not received the sustained attention in recent scholarship that it deserves. The study that has been done, however, raises key questions about the nature of boasting (feeling of superiority or vindication at the eschaton) and its focus (whether boasting is in relation to God or the Gentiles). Gathercole seeks to examine the role of boasting in early Jewish soteriology as a criterion for vindication of the righteous at the final judgment, particularly the connection with regard to the role of obedience as a condition of and basis for final vindication and salvation at the eschaton. He likewise intends to focus on Paul's understanding of the role that the "works of the law" play in justification, seeking to address whether these works function as identity markers (the New Perspective) or as a criterion for final salvation (critics of the New Perspective). Gathercole's principal sparing partners in evaluating the New Perspective are E. P. Sanders, James D. G. Dunn, and N. T. Wright. In terms of methodology, Gathercole proposes to approach this study by employing eight criteria: (1) balanced treatment of the issues, attempting to avoid highly polemical statements and misinterpretation; (2) a holistic approach to broad patterns of thought rather than a vocabulary-centered focus; (3) a reestablishment of the importance of eschatology as a conceptual backdrop, particularly the final judgment; (4) multiple attestation, that is, the employment of as wide a range of relevant texts as possible; (5) a comparison of Paul and Judaism on their own terms; (6) the employment of Jewish texts from both Hellenistic and Palestinian provenances, especially given the penetration of Hellenism in Palestine; (7) focus on the Jewish texts that originate before 70 C.E.; and (8) careful use of the term "legalism." The study proper is composed of two unequal portions that span eight chapters. Part 1 focuses on obedience and final vindication in early Judaism (chs. 1-5; pp. 37-194). In chs. 1-4 Gathercole examines a broad range of Jewish texts, including successive chapters on pre-70 C.E. (OT) Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha, Qumran literature, selective (non-Pauline and Pauline) NT texts, and post-70 C.E. Jewish texts. While recognizing wide differences in orientation, emphasis, and even in the nature of the underStanding of soteriology reflected, Gathercole contends in these respective chapters that Jewish soteriology (God saving his people at the eschaton) was by and large predicted not only on divine election (as the New Perspective emphasizes) but also on the basis of obedience. Gathercole further notes that Paul shared the common framework of Jewish eschatology (pp. 124-34). Every individual will be judged according to deeds (resulting in either condemnation or eternal life). Paul differs principally with regard to the content of the deeds done in Christian obedience and in the divine empowering involved, namely, the Holy Spirit. In the remaining portion of part 1 (ch. 5), Gathercole examines the theme of boasting in Jewish texts, exploring whether Jewish confidence was eschatological in orientation and whether it was in relation to God or the Gentiles. He suggests that the "traditional" portrait of Judaism as lacking the assurance of salvation and the New Perspective's view of vindication at the final judgment on the basis of God's faithfulness require significant correction. …

Abstract: Since the publication of E. A. Judge's ‘Paul's Boasting in relation to Contemporary Professional Practice’, and more especially since the appearance of H. D. Betz's Der Apostel Paulus und die sokratische Tradition, scholarly attention to Paul's ‘boasting’ in 2 Corinthians 10–12 has focussed on the question of literary form.

Abstract: Although self-enhancement has recently been established as a central motive for sharing word of mouth information, little is known about the impact of self-enhancing assertions (e.g., boasting) on persuasion. We theorize, and demonstrate in three studies, that although boasting is perceived negatively, such immodest self-presentations can either impede or enhance social perceptions and persuasion. The valence of the persuasion outcome depends heavily on trust cues that change the meaning of boasting to the word of mouth recipient. Boasting in the presence of low trust cues activates heightened vigilance (e.g., valenced thoughts) about the source's motives, leading to decreased persuasion. However, when given reason to trust the source specifically or people generally, boasting is readily accepted as a signal of source expertise, leading to increased persuasion. Implications for consumer decision-making and firms seeking to manage consumer social influence are discussed.

Abstract: This article unpacks the social construction of the ‘ideal academic’ in the context of major shifts in the global and national governance of academia that have introduced managerial practices, stan...