The Making of Christian Morality: Reading Paul in Ancient and Modern Contexts

by David Horrell

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2019

Overview

In this volume David Horrell focuses on themes of community, ethics, and ecology in Paul, moving from the concrete social circumstances in which the earliest Christian communities gathered to the appropriation of Paul’s writings in relation to modern ethical challenges. Often questioning established consensus positions, Horrell opens up new perspectives and engages with ongoing debates both in Pauline studies and in contemporary ethics.

After covering historical questions about the setting of the Pauline communities, The Making of Christian Morality analyzes Pauline ethics through a detailed study of particular passages. In the third and final section Horrell brings Pauline thought to bear on contemporary issues and challenges, using the environmen­tal crisis as a case study to demonstrate how Paul’s ethics can be appropriated fruitfully in a world so different from Paul’s own.

Key Features

• Focuses on the social context of the Pauline communities
• Considers Pauline ethics in their ancient historical context
• Addresses issues of ecology and environmental concern

Contents

I: Early Christian Assemblies in Sociohistorical Context

• The Letters for All (Local) Christians
• Domestic Space and Christian Meetings at Corinth
• Farewell to Another Wealthy Patron?
• From ἀδελφοί to οἶκος θεοῦ

II: Pauline Ethics in Historical Context

• Particular Identity and Common Ethics
• Idol Food, Idolatry, and Ethics in Paul
• Imitating the Humility of Christ

III: Pauline Ethics in Modern Contexts

• Paul among Liberals and Communitarians
• A New Perspective on Paul?
• Ecojustice in the Bible?

Praise for the Print Edition

With this impressive book, David G. Horrell highlights the urgent need to recognize the ongoing religious status of the Pauline letters. Representing almost two decades of investigation, the essays reflect not only the best of scholarship on socio-historical context, but also thought-provoking dialogue between the ancient texts and modern ethical challenges. This conversation is facilitated by one of the most knowledgeable and astute New Testament scholars working in the field today. David Horrell is deeply committed to New Testament work which engages the challenges of the contemporary world, especially issues of ecology and environmental concern. This is a learned but highly accessible book, of interest to a range of readers, including students and senior scholars alike.”

—Margaret Y. MacDonald, Saint Mary’s University

“David Horrell is currently one of the most distinguished scholars on Pauline ethics. This collection of essays offers a summary of his exegetical work over the past decade. Horrell’s reading of Paul’s letters, though deeply rooted in historical analysis, addresses current ethical debates and challenges, including such issues as the ecological crises. This volume comes with my highest recommendation for anyone interested in stimulating, inspiring, and relevant Pauline scholarship.

—Ruben Zimmermann, Johannes Gutenberg-University

Product Details

• Title: The Making of Christian Morality: Reading Paul in Ancient and Modern Contexts
• Author: David G. Horrell
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Publication Date: 2019
• Pages: 328
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Topic: Pauline Studies

About David Horrell

David G. Horrell is Professor of New Testament Studies at the University of Exeter, UK. He is the author of several books, including An Introduction to the Study of Paul (T&T Clark, Second Edition 2006) and Solidarity and Difference (T&T Clark, 2005). He was the editor of the Journal for the Study of the New Testament from 2002-2007. He is an active member of the British New Testament Society, having chaired the Social World of the New Testament Seminar from 2001-2006, and is also a member of the Society for Biblical Literature (SBL) and Society for New Testament Studies (SNTS). He completed his PhD at Cambridge on Paul's Corinthian letters and the letter known as 1 Clement.