Fair Play: Diversity and Conflicts in Early Christianity

Fair Play: Diversity and Conflicts in Early Christianity PDF

Author: Ismo Dunderberg

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2014-04-09

Total Pages: 608

ISBN-13: 9004268219

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This collection of essays in honour of Heikki Räisänen, New Testament professor at the University of Helsinki, consists of 22 essays written by his colleagues and students on Jesus, the gospels, Paul, early Christianity, and biblical interpretation. Räisänen's own research has been characterized by methodological awareness combined with a keen interest in ethical issues. Both these aspects come to expression in his insistence on "fair play" as a correct scholarly attitude involving an honest dialogue, a real encounter, and a recognition of diverging opinions. In this spirit, most of the essays in this book lay emphasis on issues related to early Christian diversity and conflicts, and to their challenge in modern society. The book is useful for scholars, academic teachers and students interested in various aspects of the New Testament, early Christianity, and hermeneutics.

John and Thomas—Gospels in Conflict?

John and Thomas—Gospels in Conflict? PDF

Author: Christopher W. Skinner

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2009-06-01

Total Pages: 270

ISBN-13: 1725244888

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The hypothesis that the Fourth Gospel is a theological response to the Gospel of Thomas is a recent development in the study of the New Testament and early Christianity. Assuming an early date for the Gospel of Thomas, the proponents of this hypothesis argue that the supposed "polemical" presentation of Thomas in the Fourth Gospel is evidence of a conflict between the early communities associated respectively with John and Thomas. However, a detailed narrative study reveals that the Fourth Gospel portrays a host of characters--disciples and non-disciples--in an equally unflattering light where an understanding of Jesus's origins, message, and mission are concerned. The present study attempts to demonstrate that the Fourth Gospel's presentation of Thomas is part and parcel of its treatment of "uncomprehending" characters. If this thesis is correct, it poses a significant challenge to the assumption that the Fourth Gospel contains a polemic against Thomas, or that it was written in response to the Gospel of Thomas or the community associated with Thomas.

Peter in Early Christianity

Peter in Early Christianity PDF

Author: Helen K. Bond

Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing

Published: 2015

Total Pages: 380

ISBN-13: 0802871712

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After playing second fiddle to the apostle Paul for a long, long time, Peter has received increased scholarly attention of late. This book builds on the recent resurgence of interest in the apostle Peter. Nineteen internationally prominent scholars of early Christian history here examine and reassess the historical Peter and his significance in Christian texts from the first three centuries. Giving due attention to archaeological data and recent scholarship, the contributors offer a comprehensive view of Peter through analysis of both New Testament texts and later, noncanonical literature. Markus Bockmuehl concludes the volume by considering present-day questions about the role of Peter, popes, and church leadership.

Early Christian Discernment of Spirits

Early Christian Discernment of Spirits PDF

Author: Elisabeth Hense

Publisher: LIT Verlag Münster

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 194

ISBN-13: 3643907524

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Based upon a comparative analysis, this book argues that early notions of 'discernment of spirits' are not superior to later ones. Discernment of spirits is not a matter of an apostolically fixed ideal that should be traditionally cleaved to, but, above all, is a continual re-shaping and restructuring of this tradition. Christians were not expected to imitate the discernment of others, but rather were encouraged to make judgments for themselves. Dr. Elisabeth Hense is Assistant Professor for Spiritual Theology at Radboud University Nijmegen (NL).

Jesus, Paul, and Early Christianity

Jesus, Paul, and Early Christianity PDF

Author: Rieuwerd Buitenwerf

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2008-12-31

Total Pages: 472

ISBN-13: 9047443462

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This collection of essays by leading experts in New Testament scholarship addresses core themes in the study of early Christianity. It is dedicated to Henk Jan de Jonge (Emeritus Professor in the New Testament, Leiden University) in honour of his important contributions to the field of New Testament Studies.

Early Christians Adapting to the Roman Empire

Early Christians Adapting to the Roman Empire PDF

Author: Niko Huttunen

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2020-03-31

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13: 9004428240

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In Early Christians Adapting to the Roman Empire: Mutual Recognition Niko Huttunen challenges the interpretation of early Christian texts as anti-imperial documents. He presents examples of the positive relationship between early Christians and the Roman society. With the concept of “recognition” Huttunen describes a situation in which the parties can come to terms with each other without full agreement. Huttunen provides examples of non-Christian philosophers recognizing early Christians. He claims that recognition was a response to Christians who presented themselves as philosophers. Huttunen reads Romans 13 as a part of the ancient tradition of the law of the stronger. His pioneering study on early Christian soldiers uncovers the practical dimension of recognizing the empire.

Doctrine and Power

Doctrine and Power PDF

Author: Carlos R. Galvao-Sobrinho

Publisher: University of California Press

Published: 2021-03-16

Total Pages: 322

ISBN-13: 0520383168

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During the fourth century a.d., theological controversy divided Christian communities throughout the Eastern half of the Roman Empire. At stake was not only the truth about God but also the authority of church leaders, whose legitimacy depended on their claims to represent that truth. In this book, Carlos R. Galvao-Sobrinho argues that out of these disputes was born a new style of church leadership, one in which the power of the episcopal office was greatly increased. He shows how these disputes compelled church leaders repeatedly to assert their orthodoxy and legitimacy—tasks that required them to mobilize their congregations and engage in action that continuously projected their power in the public arena. These developments were largely the work of prelates of the first half of the fourth century, but the style of command they inaugurated became the basis for a dynamic model of ecclesiastical leadership found throughout late antiquity.

The Oxford Handbook of the Synoptic Gospels

The Oxford Handbook of the Synoptic Gospels PDF

Author: Stephen P. Ahearne-Kroll

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2023

Total Pages: 633

ISBN-13: 0190887451

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"The field of Synoptic studies traditionally has had two basic foci. The question of how Matthew, Mark, and Luke are related to each other, what their sources are, and how the Gospels use their sources constitutes the first focus. Collectively, scholarship on the Synoptic Problem has tried to address these issues, and recent years have seen renewed interest and rigorous debate about some of the traditional approaches to the Synoptic Problem and how these approaches might inform the understanding of the origins of the early Jesus movement. The second focus involves thematic studies across the three Gospels. These are usually, but not exclusively, performed for theological purposes to tease out the early Jesus movement's thinking about the nature of Jesus, the motivations for his actions, the meaning of his death and resurrection, and his relationship to God. These studies pay less attention to the particular voices of the three individual Synoptic Gospels because they are trying to get to the overall theological character of Jesus"--

The Remembered Peter

The Remembered Peter PDF

Author: Markus N. A. Bockmuehl

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Published: 2010

Total Pages: 292

ISBN-13: 9783161505805

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Collection of texts partly published previously, all rev. and updated.

The Rise of Christian Beliefs

The Rise of Christian Beliefs PDF

Author: Heikki Räisänen

Publisher: Fortress Press

Published:

Total Pages: 506

ISBN-13: 1451409532

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Heikki Risnen offers a historical survey of the roots and first growth of the thoughts, values, and practices of the early Christians and explains the evolution of Christian belief in terms of vital adaptations to specific challenges. An ideal textbook for university introductory courses on the New Testament and Early Christianity, The Rise of Christian Beliefs offers chapters discussing paradigmatic events the life and death of Jesus and experiences of Easter, principal figures and groups, last things and afterlife, savior figures and the human condition, ethnicity, identity, and morality, and ritual community life.