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Book Paul and the Imperial Authorities at Thessalonica and Rome

Download or read book Paul and the Imperial Authorities at Thessalonica and Rome written by James R. Harrison and published by Mohr Siebeck. This book was released on 2011 with total page 460 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: James R. Harrison investigates the collision between Paul's eschatological gospel and the Julio-Claudian conception of rule. The ruler's propaganda, with its claim about the 'eternal rule' of the imperial house over its subjects, embodied in idolatry of power that conflicted with Paul's proclamation of the reign of the risen Son of God over his world. This ideological conflict is examined in 1 and 2 Thessalonians and in Romans, exploring how Paul's eschatology intersected with the imperial cult in the Greek East and in the Latin West. A wide selection of evidence - literary, documentary, numismatic, iconographic, archeological - unveils the 'symbolic universe' of the Julio-Claudian rulers. This construction of social and cosmic reality stood at odds with the eschatological denouement of world history, which, in Paul's view, culminated in the arrival of God's new creation upon Christ's return as Lord of all. Paul exalted the Body of Christ over Nero's 'body of state', transferring to the risen and ascended Jesus many of the ruler's titles and to the Body of Christ many of the ruler's functions. Thus, for Paul, Christ's reign challenged the values of Roman society and transformed its hierarchical social relations through the Spirit.

Book Paul and Empire

    Book Details:
  • Author : Richard A. Horsley
  • Publisher : A&C Black
  • Release : 1997-11-01
  • ISBN : 9781563382178
  • Pages : 280 pages

Download or read book Paul and Empire written by Richard A. Horsley and published by A&C Black. This book was released on 1997-11-01 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over the centuries, Paul has been understood as the prototypical convert from Judaism to Christianity. At the time of Pauls conversion, however, Christianity did not yet exist. Moreover, Paul says nothing to indicate that he was abandoning Judaism or Israel. He, in fact, understood his mission as the fulfillment of the promises to Israel and of Israels own destiny. In brief, Pauls gospel and mission were set over against the Roman Empire, not Judaism.

Book Paul  Politics  and New Creation

Download or read book Paul Politics and New Creation written by Najeeb T. Haddad and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2020-12-10 with total page 247 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Paul, Politics, and New Creation: Reconsidering Paul and Empire nuances Paul’s relationship with the Roman Empire. Using rhetorical, sociohistorical, and theological methods, Najeeb T. Haddad reevaluates claims of Paul’s anti-imperialism by situating him in his proper Hellenistic Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts.

Book Paul s Language of Grace in its Graeco Roman Context

Download or read book Paul s Language of Grace in its Graeco Roman Context written by James R. Harrison and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2017-01-03 with total page 475 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Paul’s Language of Grace in Its Graeco-Roman Context was originally published by Mohr Siebeck in 2003 and is now reprinted by Wipf and Stock with a new introduction by its author, James R. Harrison. The book was the first major investigation of charis (‘grace’, ‘favor’) in its social, political, and religious context since G. P. Wetter’s pioneering 1913 monograph on the topic. Focusing on the evidence of the inscriptions, papyri, philosophers, and Greek Jewish literature, Harrison examined the operations of the eastern Mediterranean benefaction system, probing the dynamic of reciprocity between the beneficiary and benefactor, whether human or divine. Before Paul’s converts were first exposed to the gospel, they would have held a variety of beliefs regarding the beneficence of the gods. The apostle, therefore, needed to tailor his language of grace as much to the theological and social concerns of the Mediterranean city-states in his missionary outreach as to the variegated traditions of first-century Judaism. In terms of human grace, although Paul endorses the reciprocity system, he redefines its rationale in light of the gospel of grace and transforms its social expression in his house churches. The explosion of ‘grace’ language that occurs in 2 Corinthians 8–9 regarding the Jerusalem collection is unusual in its frequency in comparison to the honorific inscriptions, underscoring the apostle’s distinctive approach to giving. Regarding divine beneficence, Paul accommodates his gospel to contemporary benefaction idiom. But he retains a distinctiveness of viewpoint regarding divine charis: it is non-cultic; it is mediated through a dishonored and impoverished Benefactor; it overturns the do ut des expectation (‘I give so that you may give’) regarding divine blessing in antiquity. Harrison’s book still remains the authoritative coverage of the Graeco-Roman context of charis.

Book The Contest for Time and Space in the Roman Imperial Cults and 1 Peter

Download or read book The Contest for Time and Space in the Roman Imperial Cults and 1 Peter written by Wei Hsien Wan and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2019-10-17 with total page 218 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Wei Hsien Wan builds on the work of David Horrell and Travis Williams for his argument that the letter of 1 Peter engages in a subtle, calculated form of resistance to Rome, that has often gone undetected. Whilst previous discussion of the topic has remained largely focused on the letter's stance toward specific Roman institutions, such as the emperor, household structures, and the imperial cults, Wan takes the conversation beyond these confines and examines 1 Peter's critique of the Roman Empire in terms of its ideology or worldview. Using the work of James Scott to conceptualize ideological resistance against domination, Wan considers how the imperial cults of Anatolia and 1 Peter offered distinct constructions of time and space-that is, how they envisioned reality differently. Insofar as these differences led to divergent ways of conceiving the social order, they acquired political power and generated potential for conflict. Wan thus argues that 1 Peter confronts Rome on a cosmic scale with its alternative construal of time and space, and examines the evidence that the Petrine author consciously, if cautiously, interrogated the imperial imagination at its most foundational levels, and set forth in its place a theocentric, Christological understanding of the world.

Book 1 and 2 Thessalonians

    Book Details:
  • Author : Andy Johnson
  • Publisher : Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
  • Release : 2016-09-23
  • ISBN : 1467446122
  • Pages : 367 pages

Download or read book 1 and 2 Thessalonians written by Andy Johnson and published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. This book was released on 2016-09-23 with total page 367 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A distinctively theological interpretation of the Thessalonian letters In this commentary Andy Johnson engages with the developing interpretive framework of missional hermeneutics to present a theological interpretation of 1 & 2 Thessalonians that aims to help the church more fully participate in the life and mission of the triune God. After a verse by-verse commentary, Johnson closely examines the theology of the two epistles, focusing especially on the topics of eschatology, holiness, and election in light of his missional reading of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. In his exegetical and theological analyses, Johnson considers canonical concerns, doctrinal commitments, ecclesial practices, proposals from contemporary systematic theology, and insights gleaned from the field of neuroscience regarding personal and community formation, all of which help to clarify and enrich readers' understanding of various passages.

Book Ephesians and Empire

    Book Details:
  • Author : Justin Winzenburg
  • Publisher : Mohr Siebeck
  • Release : 2022-07-19
  • ISBN : 3161611837
  • Pages : 330 pages

Download or read book Ephesians and Empire written by Justin Winzenburg and published by Mohr Siebeck. This book was released on 2022-07-19 with total page 330 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: While recent publications have explored the relationship between New Testament texts and early Roman imperial ideology, Ephesians has been underanalyzed in these conversations. In this study, Justin Winzenburg provides an original contribution to the field by assessing how matters of the disputed authorship, audience, and date of Ephesians have varied consequences for the imperial-critical status of the epistle. Previously underexplored elements of the Roman context of Ephesians, with a focus on maiestas [treason] charges, imperial cults, and Roman imperial eschatology are examined in light of the two major theories of the date of the epistle. The author concludes that, while there are limitations to an imperial-critical reading of the epistle, some of the epistle's speech acts can be understood as subversive of Roman imperial ideology.

Book The First Urban Churches 7

Download or read book The First Urban Churches 7 written by James R. Harrison and published by SBL Press. This book was released on 2022-11-11 with total page 399 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The First Urban Churches 7 includes essays focused on the development of early Christianity from the mid-first century through the sixth century CE in the ancient Macedonian city of Thessalonica. An international group of contributors traces the emergence of Thessalonica’s house churches through a close study of the archaeological remains, inscriptions, coins, iconography, and Paul’s two letters to the Thessalonians. After a detailed introduction to the city, including the first comprehensive epigraphic profile of Thessalonica from the Hellenistic age to the Roman Empire, topics discussed include the Roman emperor’s divine honors, coins and inscriptions as sources of imperial propaganda, Thessalonian family bonds, Paul’s apostolic self-image, the role of music at Thessalonica and in early Christianity, and Paul’s response to the Thessalonian Jewish community. Contributors include D. Clint Burnett, Alan H. Cadwallader, Rosemary Canavan, James R. Harrison, Julien M. Ogereau, Isaac T. Soon, Angela Standhartinger, Michael P. Theophilos, and Joel R. White.

Book All Things to All Cultures

Download or read book All Things to All Cultures written by Mark Harding and published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. This book was released on 2013-11-28 with total page 426 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: All Things to All Cultures sets Paul in his first-century context and illuminates his interactions with Jews, Greeks, and Romans as he spread the gospel in the Mediterranean world. In addition to exploring Paul's context and analyzing his letters, the book has chapters on the chronology of Paul's life, the text of the Pauline letters, the scholarly contributions to our understanding of Paul over the last 150 years, and the theology of the Pauline corpus. There is no comparable introduction to Paul that integrates the Jewish, Greek, and Roman influences on him and the letters that make up a substantial portion of the New Testament. Contributors: Mike Bird Cavan Concannon David Eastman Chris Forbes Mark Harding Tim Harris Jim Harrison Paul McKechnie Brent Nongbri Ian Smith Murray Smith Larry Welborn

Book Divine Honours for the Caesars

Download or read book Divine Honours for the Caesars written by Bruce W. Winter and published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. This book was released on 2015-10-21 with total page 348 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Though the first century a.d. saw the striking rise and expansion of Christianity throughout the vast Roman Empire, ancient historians have shown that an even stronger imperial cult spread far more rapidly at the same time. How did the early Jesus-followers cope with the all-pervasive culture of emperor worship? This authoritative study by Bruce Winter explores the varied responses of first-century Christians to imperial requirements to render divine honours to the Caesars. Winter first examines the significant primary evidence of emperor worship, particularly analysing numerous inscriptions in public places and temples that attributed divine titles to the emperors, and he then looks at specific New Testament evidence in light of his findings.

Book Numismatics and Greek Lexicography

Download or read book Numismatics and Greek Lexicography written by Michael P. Theophilos and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2019-11-28 with total page 309 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Michael P. Theophilos explores the fascinating variety of numismatic contributions to Greek lexicography, pertaining to lexicographic studies of the Second Temple period in general, and the New Testament in particular. Theophilos considers previous scholarly attempts to grapple with, and incorporate, critical numismatic material into the emerging discipline of Greek lexicography - including foundational work by F. Preisigke and E. Kiessling - before outlining his own methodological approach. Theophilos' then examines the resources available for engaging with the numismatic material, and presents a series of specific case studies throughout the New Testament material. His carefully annotated images of coins draw readers in to a greater understanding of the material culture of the Greco-Roman world, and how this impacted upon the Greek language and the New Testament.

Book Bodies on the Verge

    Book Details:
  • Author : Joseph A. Marchal
  • Publisher : SBL Press
  • Release : 2019-05-24
  • ISBN : 088414335X
  • Pages : 378 pages

Download or read book Bodies on the Verge written by Joseph A. Marchal and published by SBL Press. This book was released on 2019-05-24 with total page 378 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A collection that resets the terms of interpreting the Pauline letters Interpretation of Paul's letters often proves troubling, since people frequently cite them when debating controversial matters of gender and sexuality. Rather than focusing on the more common defensive responses to those expected prooftexts that supposedly address homosexuality, the essays in this collection reflect the range, rigor, vitality, and creativity of other interpretive options influenced by queer studies. Thus key concepts and practices for understanding these letters in terms of history, theology, empire, gender, race, and ethnicity, among others, are rethought through queer interventions within both ancient settings and more recent history and literature. Features: New options for how to interpret and use Paul's letters, particularly in light of their use in debates about sexuality and gender Developing approaches in queer studies that help with understanding and using Pauline letters and interpretations differently Key reflections on the two "clobber passages" (Rom 1:26-27 and 1 Cor 6:9) that demonstrate the relevance of a far wider range of texts throughout the Pauline corpus

Book Paul the Jew under Roman Rule

Download or read book Paul the Jew under Roman Rule written by Neil Elliott and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2024-09-24 with total page 148 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Some of the most heated contests around the apostle Paul today concern the effort to understand him wholly "within Judaism," and the effort to interpret him over against the culture and ideology of the early Roman Empire. In this collection of essays, Neil Elliott shows that these two conversations belong together and must be resolved together, by understanding Paul as a Jew living out Israel's ancient hopes under the pressures of Roman imperial power.

Book Paul and the Language of Faith

Download or read book Paul and the Language of Faith written by Nijay K. Gupta and published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. This book was released on 2020-02-04 with total page 324 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A dynamic reading of Paul’s faith language, outlining its subtle nuances as belief, trust, and faithfulness. Faith language permeates the letters of Paul. Yet, its exact meaning is not always clear. Many today, reflecting centuries of interpretation, consider belief in Jesus to be a passive act. In this important book, Nijay Gupta challenges common assumptions in the interpretation of Paul and calls for a reexamination of Paul’s faith language. Gupta argues that Paul’s faith language resonates with a Jewish understanding of covenant involving goodwill, trust, and expectation. Paul’s understanding of faith involves the transformation of one’s perception of God and the world through Christ, relational dependence on Christ, as well as active loyalty to Christ. Pastors and scholars alike will benefit from this close examination of Paul’s understanding and use of faith language. For Gupta, Paul’s understanding involves a divine-human relationship centered on Christ that believes, trusts, and obeys.

Book Romans  An Introduction and Study Guide

Download or read book Romans An Introduction and Study Guide written by Sze-kar Wan and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2020-12-10 with total page 128 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Sze-kar Wan examines the social and political ramifications of Paul's last and longest letter. By taking seriously Paul's faithfulness to his ancestral tradition, Wan argues that Paul is engaged in ethnic construction by incorporating non-Jews into Ideal Israel. With its claim of universality and the cosmic Son of God installed as king, Ideal Israel stands in pointed opposition to the Roman Empire. Wan presents the Letter to the Romans as Paul's extended argument to his Gentile audience in defence of Ideal Israel and their place in it, without ignoring such prominent themes as good news, faith and belief, eschatology, and the collection for the poor. By also including a reading of Romans 13 as resistance against absolute authority, at variance with historical interpretations that defended American slavery and German Nazism, Wan gives readers a new perspective on a defiant message that can be marshalled to resist oppressive regimes.

Book Paul and the Apocalyptic Imagination

Download or read book Paul and the Apocalyptic Imagination written by Ben C. Blackwell and published by Fortress Press. This book was released on 2016-06-03 with total page 403 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since the mid-twentieth century, apocalyptic thought has been championed as a central category for understanding the New Testament writings and the letters of Paul above all. But “apocalyptic” has meant different things to different scholars. Even the assertion of an “apocalyptic Paul” has been contested: does it mean the invasive power of God that breaks with the present age (Ernst Käsemann), or the broader scope of revealed heavenly mysteries, including the working out of a “many-staged plan of salvation” (N. T. Wright), or something else altogether? Paul and the Apocalyptic Imagination brings together eminent Pauline scholars from diverse perspectives, along with experts of Second Temple Judaism, Hellenistic philosophy, patristics, and modern theology, to explore the contours of the current debate. Contributors discuss the history of what apocalypticism, and an “apocalyptic Paul,” have meant at different times and for different interpreters; examine different aspects of Paul’s thought and practice to test the usefulness of the category; and show how different implicit understandings of apocalypticism shape different contemporary presentations of Paul’s significance.

Book An Anomalous Jew

    Book Details:
  • Author : Michael F. Bird
  • Publisher : Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
  • Release : 2016-11-11
  • ISBN : 1467445983
  • Pages : 322 pages

Download or read book An Anomalous Jew written by Michael F. Bird and published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. This book was released on 2016-11-11 with total page 322 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Lively, well-informed portrait of the complex figure who was the apostle Paul Though Paul is often lauded as the first great Christian theologian and a champion for Gentile inclusion in the church, in his own time he was universally regarded as a strange and controversial person. In this book Pauline scholar Michael Bird explains why. An Anomalous Jew presents the figure of Paul in all his complexity with his blend of common and controversial Jewish beliefs and a faith in Christ that brought him into conflict with the socio-religious scene around him. Bird elucidates how the apostle Paul was variously perceived — as a religious deviant by Jews, as a divisive figure by Jewish Christians, as a purveyor of dubious philosophy by Greeks, and as a dangerous troublemaker by the Romans. Readers of this book will better understand the truly anomalous shape of Paul’s thinking and worldview.