system of beliefs (doctrines), such as exemplified by the ambiguities about
resurrection (1 Cor. 15) and a variety of ethical questions, including sexuality,
marriage, and the consumption of meat from pagan sacrifice (1 Cor. 5, 7, 8,
respectively). Rituals such as the communal meals were lacking shared theo-
logical interpretation (1 Cor.11). Note that we do not speak of unorthodox
belief or practice as a deviation from previously established standards. The
Corinthian situation rather displays a non-centralized power structure, a
variety of emotionally charged rituals, and a diversity of theological views
and interpretations. In his interaction with the congregation, one of the
important aims of Paul is to shift the operation of the community away
from the imagistic mode and toward the doctrinal mode. In an attempt to
establish himself as the single authority in the community, he argues that he is
the“father”of the congregation, whom they are supposed to imitate (1 Cor.
4:14–16). Paul is particularly keen on establishing his theological views as the
doctrinal framework in which the Corinthian religion operates. In particular,
he insists that Christ sent him to Corinth to proclaim“the gospel”(1 Cor.
1:17) and he (Paul) has the“mind of Christ”(1 Cor. 2:16,ἡμεῖςδὲνοῦν
Χριστοῦἔχομεν). He gives specific instructions on ethical issues, provides an
authoritative interpretation of the ritual meal (as discussed in section 5.2), and
reinforces a particular view of resurrection. Paul’s instructions are also meant
to decrease the level of emotional arousal in some rituals, a question to which
I will return in Chapter 7, this volume.
As was already mentioned, one of the areas where the Modes Theory can be
criticized is its use of memory studies. Instead of assuming a simple dichotomy
Table 5.1.Whitehouse’s modes of religiosity (Whitehouse, 2004, p. 74)
Variable Doctrinal ImagisticPsychological Features- Transmissive
frequency
High Low- Level of arousal Low High
- Principal memory
system
Semantic schemas and
implicit scriptsEpisodic/flashbulb
memory- Ritual meaning Learned/acquired Internally generated
- Techniques of
revelation
Rhetoric/logical integration,
narrativeIconicity, multivocality,
multivalence
Sociopolitical Features- Social Cohesion Diffuse Intense
- Leadership Dynamic Passive/absent
- Inclusivity/
exclusivity
Inclusive Exclusive- Spread Rapid/efficient Slow/inefficient
- Scale Large scale Small scale
- Degree of uniformity High Low
- Structure Centralized Noncentralized
Ritual 109