This book focuses on the controversy recorded in 1 Corinthians 15 regarding the denial of the
resurrection of the dead. Many attempts and proposals have been made to understand the
background of Paul's opponents. By focusing on the possible impact of Stoicism Albert V.
Garcilazo argues that the internal evidence of the letter indicates that some of the
Corinthians had adopted a realized eschatology as well as an antisomatic view of the
resurrection which in turn prompted them to reject the future resurrection of the dead.
Garcilazo suggests that the higher status members of the congregation were influenced by the
cosmological anthropological and ethical teachings of the Stoa especially the tenets of the
Roman Stoics. He demonstrates this possibility by first considering the similarities between
the doctrines of the Corinthian dissenters and the teachings of the Stoic philosophers
particularly the teachings of Seneca. Following a brief overview of Stoicism the author
concentrates on some of the theological issues revealed in the letter and examines how other
scholars have interpreted 1 Corinthians 15. Finally he provides a detailed analysis of 1
Corinthians 15:12-49. In short Garcilazo argues that the philosophy of the Stoics seemingly
contributed to the resurrection controversy recorded in 1 Corinthians 15.
