Defending Shame:Its Formative Power in Paul's Letters
Te-Li Lau
Baker Academic
Our culture often views shame in a negative light. However, Paul’s use of shame, when properly understood and applied, has much to teach the contemporary church.
Filling a lacuna in Pauline scholarship, Defending Shame shows how Paul uses shame to admonish and to transform the minds of his readers into the mind of Christ. The author examines Paul’s use of shame for moral formation within his Jewish and Greco-Roman context, compares and contrasts Paul’s use of shame with other cultural voices, and offers a corrective understanding for today’s church. The book explores how Paul’s moral psychology of shame can guide believers to live lives that honor not only God but also their calling as children of God. It also includes a foreword from Luke Timothy Johnson.
Read several scholars’ engagement with Defending Shame in the symposium.
Te-Li Lau
Te-Li Lau (PhD Emory University) is Associate Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is author of multiple books, including The Politics of Peace: Ephesians, Dio Chrysostom, and the Confucian Four Books (Brill, 2010) and Defending Shame: Its Formative Power in Paul’s Letters (Baker Academic, 2020).
Endorsements
I didn't know so much could be said about shame, but Te-Li Lau has said it. This brilliant book is impressive not only in its methodological and exegetical depth but also in its practical substance. Lau powerfully unpacks Paul's Christ-centered concept of shame and demonstrates that it is an essential emotion for moral formation--and he does so with great sensitivity to the complexity of shame and shaming in our culture today. Scholars and pastors alike will be indebted to Lau for his careful and insightful work.
Elizabeth E. Shively, Senior Lecturer in New Testament Studies, St. Mary's College, University of St. Andrews
Defending Shame is a unique and valuable contribution to the literature on moral formation. With his thorough analysis of the place of shame in Greco-Roman and Jewish literature, Professor Te-Li Lau provides the context for the study of appeals to shame in Pauline literature and demonstrates that appropriate appeals to shame as practiced by Paul can contribute to moral formation. This book is not only an important contribution to the study of Pauline ethics but also a welcome contribution to contemporary interdisciplinary discussions about shame.
James W. Thompson, Professor of New Testament, Abilene Christian University
Simultaneously immersed in the biblical milieu and relevant to our world today, this valuable work displays concrete facility in an astonishing range of disciplines and is in turn relevant to various disciplines. Although its most novel and distinctive contributions are for Pauline ethics and theology, it provides considerations relevant to pastoral counseling, pedagogy, intercultural studies, and even social communications and public policy.
Craig S. Keener, F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary
Te-Li Lau displays command of Pauline studies, expertise in both Hellenistic and Jewish backgrounds, and intercultural sagacity. How many Pauline scholars can draw on comparisons with writings in Chinese, where some 113 terms for shame are found? Lau can and does. The result is a book that arrives at practical wisdom worked out in shrewd dialogue with the West's 'fractured understanding of shame.' Lau makes possible not only a better understanding of the apostle Paul's letters but a better application of those letters in personal life, teaching and preaching, and the public sphere. This is a book of rare wisdom and high importance.
Robert W. Yarbrough, Professor of New Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary
Te-Li Lau's book is an unexpected addition to the field of shame research. Instead of looking at the typical honor-shame contrast, it provides the highly useful lens of shame as a pedagogical tool. This different perspective makes sense of some of Paul's moves and is also helpful for the modern church in considering motivations and methods of discipleship. An enjoyable read, this book is a necessary addition to any Pauline-studies bookshelf.
Mariam Kovalishyn, Assistant Professor of New Testament Studies, Regent College
Shame in our day is pervasive, powerful, and painful. Lau shows that in Paul's hands certain forms of shame--though many acts of shaming are prohibited--can be necessary in moral formation and used in positive ways to build Christian character. A remarkably comprehensive, insightful, and timely exploration of the meaning and function of shame.
Brian S. Rosner, Principal, Ridley College
Book Reviews
Te-Li Lau brings expertise in Chinese sources and cultural heritage to bear on Pauline thought in ways impossible for most Western interpreters. The results are highly fruitful for fresh appreciation of Paul’s convictions and teaching, both in his times and ours.
Robert Yarbrough
Professor of New Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary
2020 Center for Biblical Studies Book Award (New Testament), Midwestern Seminary
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT book, written in a remarkably clear and compelling manner... It is impossible in a review of this size to summarize the complexity of Lau’s engagement with this topic, but the book is essential reading for any pastor or professor interested in Christian ethics. It is a very good book.
George Parsenios
Dean and Professor of New Testament, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
Te-Li Lau’s impressive study on the use of shame in Paul’s letters fills a lacuna in NT studies. L. advances scholarly conversation from merely looking at the Bible’s cultural background to reflecting on how this background shaped Paul’s message and its import for contemporary readers. L. writes primarily for an academic audience, though nonspecialists will find much value in his work. L. specifically examines Paul’s use of shame for the sake of moral formation. Therefore, L. considers issues including the relationship between shame and conscience as well as the potential value of certain shaming techniques.... Lau’s study is integrated and interdisciplinary. Although it is a dense, slow read, its prose is fluid and forthright. For some readers, this work will seem to overcomplicate the concept of shame. In truth, the richness of the book reflects the reality of shame in actual social settings. Shame’s influence is subtle but significant. Any serious scholar of Paul and the NT will want to read this book and bring it into conversation with the countless commentaries that overlook the formative power of shame in Paul’s letters.
Jackson Wu
Theologian-in-Residence, Mission One
Overall, Lau convincingly defends the ethical role of shame. He rightly argues that shame is usually misunderstood as a simply negative, destructive, or toxic emotion. Lau's defense does not stop by revealing that shame is innocent; he vigorously presents a positive and active aspect of shame in the ethical formation. Indeed, this book represents probably the first study that devotes considerable attention to shame in Pauline ethics by defending its formative power. Readers are provided shame as a powerful tool for Christic moral formation and rediscovering shame, an under-appreciated Pauline theme.
Chungyeol Lim
Adjunct Professor of the Master of Arts in Worship Korean Track, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary
Te-Li Lau’s Defending Shame is a wise and timely essay on the role of shame in moral formation. His aim is not only historical but also pastoral: to position Pauline shame as the remedy to our current “fractured understanding of shame” (p. 1).... Lau’s interdisciplinary approach to shame makes a number of important contributions. His assessment of shame as a moral emotion grounded in ancient philosophical discourse provides a persuasive lens for evaluating shaming rhetoric in Paul. One suspects that his approach will influence further scholarship. Lau also exposes serious flaws in popular binaries between guilt and shame as well as persuasively argues that the solution to our “fractured understanding of shame” is not the elimination of shame, as if that were possible, but shame rightly calibrated. He makes the case that Pauline shame has the potential to rescue shame from a myriad of misunderstandings. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, given the tone of the book, Lau makes a powerful pastoral case for the indispensable role of shame in Christian formation. His book is a must-read for pastors and counselors alike.
Max Botner
Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, William Jessup University
The most impressive aspect of this monograph is the breadth of its engagement. Any discussion of shame is now heavily influenced by its use in psychological and psychotherapeutic contexts, and Lau should be credited for engaging in a substantial and informed way with this body of literature, in addition to the usual classical, Jewish and Christian sources. He also discusses criminology and Confucian philosophy, in addition to offering meaningful cultural critique. For all this, his argument maintains its focus throughout and makes two contributions: it advances our understanding of Pauline ethics, but it also presents a nuanced and challenging (compelling?) case for rehabilitating the role of shame in moral formation.
Tim Murray
Journal for the Study of the New Testament 43, no 5 (2021): 57-58.
There is much to commend in this book, not only because of Lau’s persuasive argument for a positive sense of shame, but also because of the rich content. For the skeptical scholar, Lau’s analysis of the Greco-Roman and Jewish sources should decisively show the overwhelming data of shame used for positive, constructive purpose. For the pastor dealing with congregants struggling with shame, chapters 6 and 8 will be the frequently consulted sections for the explicit comparisons between modern and ancient/Pauline notions of shame and guilt. Space on the shelves of every scholar and pastor needs to be cleared to make room for books on positive shame, with Defending Shame being the first one.
Melissa C. M. Tan
PhD Student, University of Aberdeen
Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 64, no 2 (2021): 400-403.
“Shame” is viewed in our modern western society as a negative and destructive force. Rather than inflicting shame we promote self-esteem and encouragement. In this substantial, clearly written and thoughtful study Te-Li Lau, associate professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, examines Paul’s use of “shame” as an instrument of moral formation. Lau finds echoes of Paul’s approach in some Greco-Roman moral philosophers, in Hellenistic Jewish traditions, and in Confucianism. For Paul shame is not simply paired with “honor,” as is so often argued in social-science analyses of ancient Greco-Roman society; it is theocentric. That is, Paul cites shame in his exhortations to challenge the behavior of Christians to live in a manner that honors God. Here is a fresh perspective on the dynamics of Paul’s ethical thinking.
Donal P. Senior
President Emeritus and Former Chancellor, Catholic Theological Union
One notable feature of his book is that Lau has differentiated two notions of shame, namely, “a rhetoric of shame that tears down and a rhetoric of shame that builds up” (184). Lau explains that the rhetoric of shame that tears down is the Greco-Roman rhetoric that aims at exalting oneself at the expense of others. The rhetoric of shame that builds up is to challenge the people to see their errors in light of the message of the cross.... In this regard, Lau’s article has enlarged scholars’ understanding of the conception of shame, for which shame can be used positively to help change people’s moral behavior. To conclude, by building upon a modern psychological understanding of shame, Lau has broadened the concept of shame and has set his work radically different from Malina’s honor-shame model, which merely defines shame vis-à-vis honor. It is also important to note that although Lau builds on the modern psychological understanding of shame, his study is not anachronistic. In fact, his understanding of shame aligns with the Greco-Roman philosophical theory of emotion. Lau has also offered a comprehensive study by focusing on the various texts in the Greco-Roman context, Jewish literature, and Pauline letters. His study does not merely focus on a few shame lexemes but on the larger concept of shame by considering various shame-related word groups.
Yi-Sang Patrick Chan
PhD Student, University of Aberdeen
I found this book to be well-argued and clear. Lau’s range of reference to sources, especially in the Graeco-Roman world, is breathtakingly thorough.... Indeed, I highly recommend this book: In addition to the stimulating exegesis that I have mentioned, Lau has made a compelling case that “It is impossible to expunge shame without crippling our humanity as moral people.... Pauline shame therefore points believers to have the right sensitivity toward things of which they should and should not be ashamed, guiding them to live lives that are prudent, temperate, disciplined, holy, and honorable” (230, 232).
C. John Collins
Professor of Old Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary
Nowadays Christians worry whether churches are too lax or too strict, and citizens question our entire criminal justice system. We might well consider how RST [reintegrative shaming theory] reduces recidivism, what makes Chinese community policing effective, and how Pauline principles help address urgent questions. Lau offers guidance for students, scholars, and ministers who believe moral formation is an essential part of preaching, teaching, and pastoral care.
Christopher Roy Hutson
Professor of Bible, Missions and Ministry and Associate Dean, Abilene Christian University
This book’s thorough examination of the Greco-Roman and Jewish construal of honor and shame is highly instructive. Therefore, Defending Shame is highly-recommended reading both for students and for preachers who want to understand the honor-shame cultural background in which the biblical authors lived and wrote, in order to narrow the cultural gaps between modern readers and the authors of the Bible. Lau’s meticulous explanations provide a better understanding of Paul’s intention for people who struggle with reading Paul’s harsh expressions related to shame, by considering Paul’s outlook when he wrote such seemingly offensive and coercive phrases, and his redemptive intent and purpose for the letter recipients.
Jun Soo Park