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Christianity in the Greco-Roman World: A Narrative Introduction

Christianity in the Greco-Roman World: A Narrative Introduction

by Moyer V. Hubbard
Christianity in the Greco-Roman World: A Narrative Introduction
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ISBN-10:
0801046637
ISBN-13:
9780801046636
Pub. Date:
01/01/2010
Publisher:
Baker Publishing Group
ISBN-10:
0801046637
ISBN-13:
9780801046636
Pub. Date:
01/01/2010
Publisher:
Baker Publishing Group
Christianity in the Greco-Roman World: A Narrative Introduction

Christianity in the Greco-Roman World: A Narrative Introduction

by Moyer V. Hubbard

Overview

Background becomes foreground in Moyer Hubbard's creative introduction to the social and historical setting for the letters of the Apostle Paul to churches in Asia Minor and Europe.

Hubbard begins each major section with a brief narrative featuring a fictional character in one of the great cities of that era. Then he elaborates on various aspects of the cultural setting related to each particular vignette, discussing the implications of those venues for understanding Paul's letters and applying their message to our lives today. Addressing a wide array of cultural and traditional issues, Hubbard discusses:

• religion and superstition
• education, philosophy, and oratory
• urban society
• households and family life in the Greco-Roman world

This work is based on the premise that the better one understands the historical and social context in which the New Testament (and Paul's letters) was written, the better one will understand the writings of the New Testament themselves. Passages become clearer, metaphors deciphered, and images sharpened. Teachers, students, and laypeople alike will appreciate Hubbard's unique, illuminating, and well-researched approach to the world of the early church.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780801046636
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Publication date: 01/01/2010
Pages: 340
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Moyer V. Hubbard (DPhil, University of Oxford) is professor of New Testament language and literature at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, in Los Angeles, California. He is the author of New Creation in Paul's Letters and Thought and a commentary on 2 Corinthians.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Abbreviations and Translations xiii

Introduction 1

Relioion and Superstition zoe 13

The Cultural Context 20

The Gods of Corinth 20

Polytheism 21

Diaspora Judaism 22

Superstition 24

Magic 30

Divination 33

Oracles 34

Omens 35

Astrology 36

Skepticism 37

The New Testament Context 39

Monotheism in Corinth 40

Faith in Galatia 41

Magic in Acts 43

Demons in Paul 51

Paul the Visionary 53

Further Reading 56

Education, philosophy, and Oratory Heraclitus 61

The Cultural Context 68

Literacy 68

Education 69

The Second Sophistic 75

The Philosophic Critique of Sophistry 78

Philosophical Schools 82

Conversion 91

The New Testament Context 95

Paul the Letter Writer 95

Paul and Popular Oratory 97

Paul and the Resurrection 98

Paul and the Philosophers 100

Further Reading 106

City and Society Speratus 111

The Cultural Context 118

Paul and the City 118

Travel in Antiquity 118

Civic and Provincial Administration 122

Urban Landscape and Environment 123

Festivals and Sport 138

Voluntary Associations 140

Population Density 141

Urban Unrest 142

Class and Status 143

The New Testament Context 150

Pauls Counter-Imperial Gospel in Thessalonica 150

Erastus and the Imperial Cult 152

The Temple of God and Idols in Corinth 154

Paul and Poverty 155

Weakness and Strength 157

Paul the Leatherworker 159

The Perils of Carrying the Name 162

Further Reading 166

Household And Family Helena 171

The Cultural Context 178

The Home 178

The Family 179

Adultery and Divorce 184

Sexual Ethics 187

Slaves 191

The New Testament Context 197

From House to House 197

The Church as a Family 199

Loveand Marriage 200

Marriage and Celibacy 202

Organization and Leadership in the House Churches 205

TheWidows 216

The Community Gathered 219

Slavery 223

Further Reading 226

Epilogue 229

Endnotes 237

Glossary 273

Bibliography 277

Index of Modern Authors 289

Index of Subjects 293

Index of Ancient Sources 299

Index of Callouts 315

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