Reflections on Power and Authority in Early Christian Communities

Inbunden, Engelska, 2026

AvRon Clark,Anne Moore,Stanley N. Helton

2 129 kr

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This edited collection considers the concept of power in the New Testament and early Christian writings.Ron Clark, Stanley N. Helton, Anne Moore, and their contributors contend that power in ancient Southwest Asia and North Africa was not only a desired commodity, but an important tool to navigate the historical honor/shame culture. The essays herein explore the positive uses of power to foster peace and shalom in Early Christian communities. Drawing from sociological, feminist, and postcolonial methodologies, the contributors examine how authority is constructed, displaced, and reimagined through figures such as Jesus and Paul in the Roman Empire. Grounding their discussions within theoretical frameworks of power formulated by Max Weber, Hannah Arendt, Michel Foucault, and Steven Lukes, the essays herein reflect on the socio-political context of Roman imperialism. Their discussion of biblical texts across the Gospels, Romans, and 1 Corinthians fill a gap within biblical scholarship, illuminating the diverse meanings, functions, and motifs of authority and power within early Christian writings. In doing so, Clark, Helton, Moore, and their contributors challenge traditional interpretations and offers fresh insights into leadership, identity, and theological ethics in early Christianity.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2026-11-12
Mått152 x 229 x 14 mm
Vikt349 g
FormatInbunden
SpråkEngelska
SerieT&T Clark
Antal sidor240
FörlagBloomsbury Publishing Plc
ISBN9798765189320

Tillhör följande kategorier

Religion: allmänt inom Filosofi och religion
Kristendom inom Filosofi och religion

Introduction: Introduction to Power and Authority in the Early Christian Communities, Anne Moore (University of Calgary, Canada)Part 1: Power and Authority in the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles1: The Centurion at Capernaum: Authority, Faith, and Rearrangement in the Kingdom, Matthew 8:5–13, Daniel K. Christensen (Phd Candidate, Fuller Theological Seminary, USA)2: The Power of Forgiveness: Textual Criticism and Theological Imagination in Luke 23:34a, David D.M. King (University of Denver and the Iliff School of Theology, USA)3: Receiving Power, Trading Authority: Differentiating the Transactional Capabilities of Power and Authority through Simon the Magician’s Request, Acts 8:9–24in Acts, Daniel K. Christensen (Phd Candidate, Fuller Theological Seminary, USA)Part 2: Power, Authority, Paul, and the Early Christian Communities4: Redescribing Paul’s Tree (of Israel) Metaphor: Salvation for non-Yeshua Following Abrahamic- Faith Jews of an Abrahamic-Faith?, Ralph Korner (Taylor Seminary of Kairos University, USA)5: Carried Away with the Humiliated: Paul’s Hermeneutic of Transformation Among the Marginalized in Romans 12:1–16, Ronald Clark (Fuller Theological Seminary, USA)6: Discourse, Identity, and Power: What 1 Cor 1:10–4:21 Does, Esther G. Cen (Seattle Pacific University and Seminary, USA)7: Be Involved in Your Families: Withness as a Model for Congregational Leadership in the Early Christian Congregations, Ronald Clark (Fuller Theological Seminary, USA)Conclusion by Stanley HeltonAbout the Contributors

This is a highly welcomed contribution to research on power and authority permeating New Testament texts. Theoretically profound, the essays represent diverse perspectives and approaches demonstrating the significance of New Testament research in dialogue with other academic disciplines. This leads to illuminating insights that will stimulate further much needed discussion on power in research as well as in faith communities and contemporary society.