The Ascension Motif of 2 Corinthians 12 in Jewish, Christian and Gnostic Texts -- By: Brad H. Young

Journal: Grace Theological Journal
Volume: GTJ 09:1 (Spring 1988)
Article: The Ascension Motif of 2 Corinthians 12 in Jewish, Christian and Gnostic Texts
Author: Brad H. Young


The Ascension Motif of 2 Corinthians 12
in Jewish, Christian and Gnostic Texts

Brad H. Young

The heavenly ascent motif is common in religious documents of late antiquity. A preoccupation with the similarities between these accounts leads some to overlook the equally important differences. Care should be taken, however, to distinguish between mystical esotericism and extraordinary religious encounter.

Earlier Jewish traditions provide the proper context for understanding Pauls visions and revelations; certain Gnostic texts evidence yet another distinct stage of development in the ascension motif. But thematic parallels do not warrant the assumption that various religious traditions are basically identical in origins. And parallels should not lead to indiscriminate grouping of essentially unrelated texts.

* * *

The motif of the ascension through the celestial spheres provides many insights into the religious thought of various traditions and sects in late antiquity. Here the primary texts for examination are: Paul’s experience in 2 Cor 12:1–10, selected rabbinic narratives, the Ascension of Isaiah and the Nag Hammadi Apocalypse of Paul. Before turning to the textual examination, a few preliminary observations must be made in view of the great methodological problems presented by this theme. At the outset, it must be noted that the ascension motif is not uniquely Jewish or distinctively Gnostic. Neither does Paul’s description in 2 Corinthians make it an exclusively Christian motif. In fact, the heavenly ascent is very widespread and appears in many religious contexts. In some of the ascent descriptions, it is difficult to determine if a literal heavenly journey is taking place or if a vision is being described. Sometimes, it is not clear whether an author is relating a specific revelation or if he is explaining the geography of the unknown celestial spheres. Other questions are related to these problems. Is the soul or the body

ascending? Is the ascent induced or does a heavenly messenger appear to initiate the experience unsolicited? When does the journey occur? How is it connected to death? Does the ascent begin after death or is it a mystical experience?1

The heavenly ascent theme seems to be the common property of the ancient world. One finds it in the so-called “Mithraic Liturgy.”2 It appears in Jewish pseudepigraphic-apocalyptic literature,3 in Hermetic texts like Poimandres,

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