Empire, Economics, and the New Testament
Overview
Peter Oakes has long been recognized for his illuminating use of Greco-Roman material culture and social-scientific criticism to interpret the New Testament. This volume combines his best work in a single volume and introduces a substantial new essay that challenges current scholarly approaches to paradoxical teachings of the New Testament.
Of special interest to Oakes throughout this book is the concrete impact of economic realities and Roman imperialism on first-century Christian communities meeting in house churches. To address this, Oakes considers an array of textual and archaeological resources from first-century non-elite life, including extensive archaeological evidence available from Pompeii. Readers will find here a deep trove of wisdom for understanding the New Testament in the context of the Greco-Roman world.
- Combines Oakes’ best work in a single volume and introduces a substantial new essay
- Explores the impact of economic realities and Roman imperialism on first-century Christian communities
- Challenges current scholarly approaches to paradoxical teachings of the New Testament
- A House Church Account of Economics and Empire
- Nine Types of Church in Nine Types of Space in the Insula of the Menander
- Methodological Issues in Using Economic Evidence in Interpretation of Early Christian Texts
- Economic Approaches, Scarce Resources, and Interpretive Opportunities
- Urban Structure and Patronage: Christ Followers in Corinth
- Jason and Penelope Hear Philippians 1:1–11
- Re-mapping the Universe: Paul and the Emperor in 1 Thessalonians and Philippians
- Christian Attitudes to Rome at the Time of Paul’s Letter
- A State of Tension: Rome in the New Testament
- God’s Sovereignty over Roman Authorities: A Theme in Philippians
Top Highlights
“In the first century the great majority of property was owned by the elite. Extremely few craftworkers would have owned their workshops.” (Pages 7–8)
“will predominantly come from families poorer than the host family” (Page 5)
“how many others could fit into a meeting in the house and who these others are likely to be. If” (Page 5)
“However, texts that look more straightforward can in general be read straightforwardly, in view (paradoxically) of the complexities of house-church situations.” (Page 27)
“The relationship also meant that the cabinetmaker probably sought commissions for work via a network related to the owner of the House of the Menander.” (Page 8)
- Title: Empire, Economics, and the New Testament
- Author: Peter Oakes
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Publication Date: 2020
- Pages: 256
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Topic: Bible Backgrounds