A Taxonomy of Paul’s Divinatory Practices

Abstract

Chapter 3 examines three broad types of Paul’s divinatory practices: (1) the interpretation of nonverbal divine signs [sēmeia], or communications, (2) the channeling of divine information by means of the speech faculty of a human agent, and (3) the use of literary texts or written symbols to discern divine messages. These categories include what Paul calls the interpretation of signs, speaking in tongues, and (oral and literacy-based) prophecy. Drawing on widely available ancient comparanda, the chapter cuts across our modern categories to redescribe Paul’s divinations and to normalize them in their historical environment. Paul does not invent his practices from whole cloth, but repackages and innovates upon practices that have long been part of ancient religiosity.