Malleable Masculinity

Rethinking Paul’s Masculinity in Light of Valerius Maximus

Bibliographic Data

ID21447234
AuthorsSusan Hylen (0000-0003-2968-8198, Emory University, corresponding author), Susan E Hylen (Emory University)
Year2022
Volume45
Issue2
Pages157-176
Publication date2022-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal for the Study of the New Testament (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0142-064X • E-ISSN: 1745-5294
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0142064x221114342
OpenAlexW4295095068
LanguageEN
References cited16

Scholarly appraisals of Paul’s masculinity differ widely. Some conclude that Paul is presented (by himself or another author) as an ideal man. Others argue that Paul rejects dominant norms of manliness or that he offers a countercultural alternative. This article draws on the work of Valerius Maximus, whose writing has been neglected in this conversation, to argue that Roman imperial culture offered a variety of measures of elite masculinity. Scholars often mention control of self and others as norms of manliness, and of these Valerius emphasizes practices of self-control. Even with this knowledge, however, evaluating masculinity requires discernment. An individual’s motivations and circumstances are essential factors in Valerius’s application of the social norms. The article encourages scholars to consider this more complex set of cultural norms in assessing the manliness of Paul or other New Testament figures

Aesthetics · Conversation · Discernment · Elite · Epistemology · Ideal (ethics) · Masculinity · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Variety (cybernetics) · Computer Science · Gender Studies · Law · Philosophy · Theology and Canon Law Studies

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