Power in the New Testament (Contributions to Biblical Exegesis and Theology, 107)

✍ Scribed by Pieter G. R. De Villiers (editor), Annette B. Merz (editor)

• Publisher: Peeters Pub & Booksellers
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 285
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Influential research by authors like Foucault and Arendt revealed the significant role of power in shaping relationships in society and faith communities. This volume contributes to this research trend by analysing the formative role of power in early Christian documents and communities. An introductory essay investigates theoretical approaches to power and the nexus between power and religion. It functions as orientation for the exegetical analyses of individual texts in the rest of the volume. Two contributions analyse power dynamics in the Bible generally and nine others investigate its use in specific early Christian texts. They attend to the vocabulary of power as well as the networks and actors involved in the execution of diverse forms of power. They focus on how these dynamics operate specifically in the Gospels, Pauline texts and traditions and the Apocalypse. They show that power can be abusive and dangerous, but it also is a positive, restraining force.

✦ Table of Contents

CONTENT
PREFACE
LIST OF AUTHORS
GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS
PERSPECTIVES ON POWER AND THE NEW TESTAMENT
THE MIGHT OF DEATH AND THE POWER OF GOD: SOME BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES
COSMIC POWER IN PSEUDO-ARISTOTLE’S DE MUNDO AND THE NEW TESTAMENT
EARLY CHRISTIAN WRITINGS ON POWER
COMPROMISING BETWEEN TWO POWERS: THE SAYINGS SOURCE Q AND THE ROMAN EMPIRE
THE AUTHORITY WITH WHICH JESUS TAUGHT ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 7:29
AUTHORITY AS SERVICE: THE ROLE OF THE DISCIPLES IN THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW
PAUL AND POWER: GRIDS FOR FRAMING CLAIMS
THE NEXUS BETWEEN POWER, MISSION AND IMPLICIT ETHICS IN 1 THESSALONIANS
GENDERED POWER AND THE POWER OF GENRE IN THE DEBATE ABOUT WOMEN’S ROLES IN THE PASTORAL LETTERS AND THE ACTS OF PAUL
POWER, POWERLESSNESS, AND AUTHORISED POWER IN 1 TIMOTHY 2:8–15
THE APOCALYPSE OF JOHN: POWER, PATIENCE, AND PROPHETIC WITNESS
POWERFUL PROPHETS WHO STOP THE RAIN, TURN WATER INTO BLOOD AND STRIKE WITH PLAGUES (REV 11). PERSPECTIVES ON POWER IN REVELATION