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This thesis offers a novel interpretation of 1 Cor 11:2-16 in light of the Roman ritual practice of capite velato, a custom of covering the head with a garment during prayer, sacrifice, and divination. It traces linguistic and conceptual links between ancient descriptions and depictions of capite velato and 1 Cor 11:2-16, and demonstrates that this ritual gesture must have been familiar to Paul and his Corinthian interlocutors. With the aid of cognitive science of religion, this thesis explores the possible reasons for and implications of Paul's instructions on this Roman custom in First Corinthians. It argues that 1 Cor 11:2-16 preserves a clash of values between Paul and his addressees in ...
A scholarly examination of same-sex sexuality in the Bible in the context of the ancient world Scriptural prohibitions of same-sex sexual acts (so-called “clobber passages”) are often used as prooftexts to support the oppression of LGBT communities in the West today. However, such interpretation of these scant references ignores critical sociohistorical context from the ancient world. Analyzing a wealth of primary sources, Thomas Kazen brings biblical studies into conversation with the sexual norms and practices of the ancient world. Near Eastern, Greek, and Roman texts, including the Old and New Testaments, exhibit ancient concerns about hierarchy in sexual relationships. Examining refe...
The thesis attends to ecclesial matters of aid by analysing the ecclesiological problem of identity and meaning of ACT Alliance. African churches are participating in aid, and Ethiopia is a good case with its intensity of church-based aid work. ACT Alliance was an ecumenical initiative to act in solidarity with people in need through coordination and collaboration. ACT, i.e. Action by Churches Together, expresses the churches growing together in koinonia. In theory, this ecclesiologically informed idea was conceptualised as ecumenical diakonia. Christian aid agencies may suffer a mission drift and loss of identity causing inner secularisation in the churches thus endangering Christian commit...
This study contributes to the understanding of how first century Christ-believers, particularly those who shared the imagination of Ephesians, experienced the relation between their social identity as Christ-believers and behavior norms. In order to understand this, a number of theories from the cognitive sciences are used in combination with historical-critical methods. After a theoretical survey of relevant cognitive theories and discussions about the epistemological problems of using cognitive theories on historical texts, the theories are used to understand (a) how Ephesians imagines the relation between identity and behavior norms and (b) the potential group dynamic effects of this imagination. The result is a demonstration of how Ephesians is able to create a coherent narrative, beginning with God's agency and ending with behavior (norms), and facilitating psychological and group dynamic effects such as intergroup distinction, self-esteem, cognitive certainty and consensus among group members, intragroup cooperation, moral judgment and inclusion/marginalization, motivation to remain committed and, last but not least, a sense of capacity and obligation to act morally.
John-Christian Eurell studies how Peter's authority is portrayed to create legitimacy in Christian texts. Peter emerges as a central figure in the diverse early Christian movement and is used to discuss theological legitimacy. The main divide is between those who argue that legitimate theology should have a conservative point of departure based on traditional material handed down from the earthly Jesus and an apostolic succession based on interpersonal relations and those who argue in favour of a more progressive point of departure which places emphasis on contemporary charismatic experiences. These perspectives are utilised by groups of various theological persuasions to argue their own position. Peter is seen as a positive and negative example for both these ways of creating legitimacy.
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The Acts of the Apostles joins the Gospel of Luke with the ministry of Paul. The author shows how this masterful storyteller worked his magic, drawing on first-century literary techniques of narration and characterization.