Paul and Empire - by Richard A Horsley (Paperback)

About the Book

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 Synopsis

Over the centuries, Paul has been understood as the prototypical convert from Judaism to Christianity. At the time of Paul s 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 Israel s own destiny. In brief, Paul s gospel and mission were set over against the Roman Empire, not Judaism. This anthology brings together incisive and groundbreaking essays on: 1) "The Gospel of Imperial Salvation," revealing how the imperial cult, by its dominance in urban public space, created a pervasive presence of imperial beneficence and salvation integrated into traditional Greek religion; (2) "Patronage and Power," disclosing the networks of patronage relations that held the empire together, so as to render occupying troops and imperial bureaucracy unnecessary in urbanized areas such as Corinth and Ephesus, key centers of Paul's mission, (3) "Paul's Articulation of an Alternative Gospel," discerning how Paul borrows much of the key language of the imperial religion in preaching his own gospel of a Lord who had been crucified by imperial rulers but vindicated by God as the true universal Lord, (4) "The Assemblies of an Alternative International Society," exploring ways in which the assemblies Paul founded in Asia Minor and Greece were to embody patterns alternative to the hierarchical human relations that dominated Roman imperial society. Richard A. Horsley is Professor of Classics and Religion at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. He is author of Galilee: History, Politics, People and Archaeology, History, and Society in Galilee: Social Context of Jesus and the Rabbis, both published by Trinity Press International.

Review Quotes

."..encompassing both Christian sources and general Roman socio-political issues relevant to our understanding of earliest Christianity. It will be informative for pastors and general readers with a solid background in New Testament history." Carolyn Osiek, Catholic Theological Union, reviewing for Currents in Theology and Mission, February 1999--Sanford Lakoff "Currents In Theology and Mission "

."..outstanding collection of essays...the Horsley collection provides an assembly of groundbreaking, almost classical articles that are in many cases not readily available." Walter F. Taylor, Jr., Ernest W. and Edith S. Ogram Professor of New Testament Studies, reviewing for Trinity Seminary Review, Fall/Winter 1999--Sanford Lakoff

"It will be informative for pastors and general readers with a solid background in New Testament history...This is a good way of updating on these aspects of recent Pauline scholarship. Carolyn Osiek, Catholic Theological Union--Sanford Lakoff "Currents In Theology and Mission "

"Reading through a political lens, these authors explore the political dimension of key Pauline terms and suggest how Paul engages imperial, political rhetoric... All will profit from exploring the political aspects of Paul's context and letters." Kenneth L.--Sanford Lakoff "Religious Studies Review "

"Richard Horsley has collected from a variety of mainly published sources a set of fourteen essays illuminating Paul in the setting of the Roman Empire as re-established and stabilized by Augustus shortly before the apostle's lifetime...Substantial and masterly introductions to the various sections are provided by the editor. The whole work is to be highly recommended." L. Houlden, Theology--Sanford Lakoff "Theology Today "

"Tired of traditional descriptions of Paul? Then spend some time with Paul and Empire. Paul, you'll find, is not just the theologian you knew, but a political and religious activist, too... Paul and Empire provides a handy introduction to the work of some of the most respected scholars in Roman and New Testament studies. Further, Horsley's concise, readable introductions pull together these many threads while highlighting the significance of each." Steven Friesen, reviewing for Biblical Archaeology Review, May/June 1999--Sanford Lakoff "Biblical Archaeology Review "

About the Author

Richard A. Horlsey is Professor of Classics and Religion at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. He is author of Galilee: History, Politics, People; Archaeology, History, and Society in Galilee: The Social Context of Jesus and the Rabbis; and editor of Paul and Empire: Religion and Power in Roman Imperial Society, all published by Trinity Press.