Anti-Roman Cryptograms in the New Testament

Anti-Roman Cryptograms in the New Testament PDF Author: Norman A. Beck
Publisher: Peter Lang Incorporated, International Academic Publishers
ISBN:
Category : Bibles
Languages : en
Pages : 214

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Book Description
The first basic thesis of Anti-Roman Cryptograms in the New Testament: Hidden Transcripts of Hope and Liberation is that the Jesus of history and his earliest and closest followers during his lifetime and during the decades after he had been crucified by the Romans had not only a deep longing for eternal life with God beyond the limits of this world, but also a strong desire for liberation from Roman political, economic, and social oppression. The second basic thesis of Anti-Roman Cryptograms in the New Testament is that within the Christian Scriptures there are more hidden transcripts, coded messages (anti-Roman cryptograms) of hope and liberation, for «freedom now» within this life, than we have realized throughout most of the history of interpretation. Hidden transcripts of hope and liberation are coded so that oppressed people are able to communicate to their fellow oppressed people in ways in which their message and their intent are shielded from the perceptions of their oppressors. These messages by the Jesus of history and by the writers of New Testament and related literature use the language of faith, of salvation, of Deity, and of adversaries of Deity, giving words that are commonly used by the oppressed people new and double meanings. Within interaction with other scholars who are publishing studies of hidden transcripts, this book is an analysis of hidden transcripts within each of the New Testament documents. The book is designed to be used in New Testament Studies courses at undergraduate and/or graduate levels, by study groups, and by all persons who desire a more adequate understanding of the Jesus of history, his closest followers, and their oral and written communications during the first three centuries C.E.

Anti-Roman Cryptograms in the New Testament

Anti-Roman Cryptograms in the New Testament PDF Author: Norman A. Beck
Publisher: Peter Lang Incorporated, International Academic Publishers
ISBN:
Category : Bibles
Languages : en
Pages : 214

Get Book

Book Description
The first basic thesis of Anti-Roman Cryptograms in the New Testament: Hidden Transcripts of Hope and Liberation is that the Jesus of history and his earliest and closest followers during his lifetime and during the decades after he had been crucified by the Romans had not only a deep longing for eternal life with God beyond the limits of this world, but also a strong desire for liberation from Roman political, economic, and social oppression. The second basic thesis of Anti-Roman Cryptograms in the New Testament is that within the Christian Scriptures there are more hidden transcripts, coded messages (anti-Roman cryptograms) of hope and liberation, for «freedom now» within this life, than we have realized throughout most of the history of interpretation. Hidden transcripts of hope and liberation are coded so that oppressed people are able to communicate to their fellow oppressed people in ways in which their message and their intent are shielded from the perceptions of their oppressors. These messages by the Jesus of history and by the writers of New Testament and related literature use the language of faith, of salvation, of Deity, and of adversaries of Deity, giving words that are commonly used by the oppressed people new and double meanings. Within interaction with other scholars who are publishing studies of hidden transcripts, this book is an analysis of hidden transcripts within each of the New Testament documents. The book is designed to be used in New Testament Studies courses at undergraduate and/or graduate levels, by study groups, and by all persons who desire a more adequate understanding of the Jesus of history, his closest followers, and their oral and written communications during the first three centuries C.E.

Ephesians and Empire

Ephesians and Empire PDF Author: Justin Winzenburg
Publisher: Mohr Siebeck
ISBN: 3161611837
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 330

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Book Description
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.

Empire in the New Testament

Empire in the New Testament PDF Author: Stanley E. Porter
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1608995992
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 321

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Book Description
How does a Christian render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's? This book is the result of the Bingham Colloquium of 2007 that brought scholars from across North America to examine the New Testament's response to the empires of God and Caesar. Two chapters lay the foundation for that response in the Old Testament's concept of empire, and six others address the response to the notion of empire, both human and divine, in the various authors of the New Testament. A final chapter investigates how the church fathers regarded the matter. The essays display various methods and positions; together, however, they offer a representative sample of the current state of study of the notion of empire in the New Testament.

First and Second Timothy and Titus (Paideia: Commentaries on the New Testament)

First and Second Timothy and Titus (Paideia: Commentaries on the New Testament) PDF Author: Christopher R. Hutson
Publisher: Baker Academic
ISBN: 1493419609
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 336

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Book Description
Drawing from many parts of the broad Christian tradition, this commentary on First and Second Timothy and Titus helps readers gain a stronger understanding of early Christian ministry in the first two centuries. Paideia commentaries show how New Testament texts use ancient narrative and rhetorical strategies to form and shape the reader and provide a fresh reading of the biblical texts in light of ancient culture and modern issues. Students, pastors, and other readers will appreciate the historical, literary, and theological insight offered in this commentary.

Paul's Letter to the Romans

Paul's Letter to the Romans PDF Author: Arland J. Hultgren
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 0802826091
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 833

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Book Description
Building on his own translation from the Greek, Hultgren walks readers through Romans verse by verse, illuminating the text with helpful comments, probing into major puzzles, and highlighting the letter's most inspiring features. He also demonstrates the forward-looking, missional character of Paul's epistle -- written, as Hultgren suggests, to introduce Roman Christians to the major themes of Paul's theology and to inspire in them both confidence in the soundness of his teaching and support for his planned missionary efforts in Spain.

Hidden Criticism of the Angry Tyrant in Early Judaism and the Acts of the Apostles

Hidden Criticism of the Angry Tyrant in Early Judaism and the Acts of the Apostles PDF Author: Drew J. Strait
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1978700733
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 439

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Book Description
Hidden Criticism of the Angry Tyrant in Early Judaism and the Acts of the Apostles adds to the current literature of imperial-critical New Testament readings with an examination of Luke’s hidden criticism of imperial Rome in the Acts of the Apostles and in Paul’s speech on the Areopagus in Acts 17. Focusing on discursive resistance in the Hellenistic world, Drew J. Strait examines the relationship between hidden criticism and persuasion and between subordinates and the powerful, and he explores the challenge to the dissident voice to communicate criticism while under surveillance. Strait argues that Luke confronts the idolatrous power and iconic spectacle of gods and kings with the Gospel of the Lord of all—a worldview that is incompatible with the religions of Rome, including emperor worship.

The Roman Empire in Luke's Narrative

The Roman Empire in Luke's Narrative PDF Author: Kazuhiko Yamazaki-Ransom
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 0567364399
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 258

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Book Description
This work illuminates Luke’s portrayals of Roman officials in light of Jewish portrayals of Gentile rulers in the Old Testament and in Second Temple Literature.

Way of Blessing Way of Life

Way of Blessing Way of Life PDF Author: Clark M. Williamson
Publisher: Chalice Press
ISBN: 9780827242685
Category : Theology, Doctrinal
Languages : en
Pages : 348

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Book Description


Mesopotamian Civilization and the Origins of the New Testament

Mesopotamian Civilization and the Origins of the New Testament PDF Author: Robin Baker
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1009116576
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 505

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Book Description
In this ground-breaking study, Robin Baker investigates the contribution ancient Mesopotamian theology made to the origins of Christianity. Drawing on a formidable range of primary sources, Baker's conclusions challenge the widely held opinion that the theological imprint of Babylonia and Assyria on the New Testament is minimal, and what Mesopotamian legacy it contains was mediated by the Hebrew Bible and ancient Jewish sources. After evaluating and substantially supplementing previous research on this mediation, Baker demonstrates significant direct Mesopotamian influence on the New Testament presentation of Jesus and particularly the character of his kingship. He also identifies likely channels of transmission. Baker documents substantial differences among New Testament authors in borrowing Mesopotamian conceptions to formulate their Christology. This monograph is an essential resource for specialists and students of the New Testament as well as for scholars interested in religious transmission in the ancient Near East and the afterlife of Mesopotamian culture.

Handbook of Early Christianity

Handbook of Early Christianity PDF Author: Anthony J. Blasi
Publisher: Rowman Altamira
ISBN: 0759116539
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 831

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Book Description
The Christian movement emerged amidst complex social tensions, power politics, ethnic diversity, economic stress, and cultural changes. Both biblical scholars and social scientists find that a social scientific study of early Christian phenomena yields fascinating results. However, biblical scholars are sometimes unaware of the breadth of the useful social scientific concepts and techniques, and social scientists sometimes lack the most basic background in literary research methods. The Handbook of Early Christianity provides a much needed overview for biblical scholars and social scientists alike. Drawing on perspectives from anthropology, archaeology, economics, history, literary analysis, psychology, political science, and sociology, the Handbook shows the myriad and complementary approaches that shed light on Christianity's formation and early development. Twenty-seven chapters from leading scholars along with a comprehensive bibliography make this an essential reference for anyone wishing to understand the social dynamics of Christianity's birth.