OnScript Timothy Brookins – Rediscovering the Wisdom of the Corinthians
Mar 11, 2025
Timothy Brookins, a Professor of early Christianity at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, dives into the complexities of 1 Corinthians. He challenges the scholarly consensus on struggles within the Corinthian church and emphasizes how Stoicism shaped their identity. The discussion explores divine wisdom versus worldly power, critiquing the reliance on human credentials. Brookins also shares personal interests that intertwine with his academic journey, all while advocating for a more nuanced understanding of Paul's transformative teachings.
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How Latin And Seneca Sparked His Thesis
- Brookins traced his path from Latin studies into New Testament via concurrent courses on 1 Corinthians and Seneca.
- That academic overlap directed him toward his dissertation on Stoic influences in Corinth.
Paul Targets A Specific Human Wisdom
- Paul opposes a particular 'human wisdom' in 1 Corinthians 1–4, not all learning or eloquence.
- Brookins argues some Corinthians adopted a Stoic-like 'sub-Stoicism' that Paul critiques.
From Broad Thesis To Granular Exegesis
- Brookins refines his earlier work by doing granular exegesis and testing Stoic doctrinal details against 1–4.
- He now argues Paul’s own followers (the Paul faction) became 'wise men' in a sub‑Stoic way.
