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This is a study of the Historical Jesus that pays close attention to the role of space and place, from house to kingdom, for understanding Jesus' identity. Halvor Moxnes employs a sociological and anthropological approach that promises to give greater depth to our perceptions of Jesus.
Probing into numerous questions about gender and sexuality, Dale Martin delves into the biblical texts anew and unearths surprising findings. Avoiding preconceptions about ancient sexuality, he explores the ethics of desire and marriage and pays careful attention to the original meanings of words, especially those used as evidence of Paul's opposition to homosexuality. For example, after a remarkably faithful reading of the scriptural texts, Martin concludes that our contemporary obsession with marriage--and the whole search for the "right" sexual relationships--is antithetical to the message of the gospel. In all of these essays, however, Martin argues for engaging Scripture in a way that goes beyond the standard historical-critical questions and the assumptions of textual agency in order to find a faith that has no foundations other than Jesus Christ.
Constructing Early Christian Families explores the complex picture of family relations and the manifold attitudes to the family in the early Christian world.
This is a different book about Jesus. It does not study the Gospels as sources for the historical Jesus, but reads them as memories about Jesus, each Gospel with its characteristic picture of Jesus. The book traces the transmission and growth of memories of Jesus in various contexts and in different historical periods. It also introduces readers to the little known counterstories to Christian memories in Jewish sources, as well as to the rival stories in the Quran. A central perspective in the book is the troubling fact that for centuries the memories of Jesus contributed to hate speech against the Jews in Europe. The passion narratives in the Gospels put the blame for the death of Jesus upon Jewish leaders, and these stories were transmitted across the centuries as historical truth. Memories of Jesus have served as identity markers not only for churches but also for societies and countries. The last chapters focus on how the memories of Jesus have played an important role in supporting the identity of oppressed and marginalized groups, in particular in the contemporary United States.
The life and nature of the Church are better understood in terms of a self-identity that relies on the language and cultural framework of the stakeholders. Since theological reflections do not take place in a vacuum, the socio-cultural context gains importance. The question is: How much culture can the Church, as a whole, accommodate without losing its universal character? With a focus on the West African country of Ghana, this book analyzes the potential trade-offs and conflicts between the Church and culture in a pluri-religious and multi-cultural society. Further, it shows the dangers of exclusion within the Church and offers possible solutions. (Series: Studien zur systematischen Theologie und Ethik - Vol. 64)
Church dialogues, including official reports and debates within the General Synod, operate under the premise that canonical authority can shape a viable theology and coherent ecclesiastical and liturgical practices. In a groundbreaking departure from conventional methodologies, Queering the Church offers a rigorous examination of the hermeneutical frameworks that inform discussions on homosexuality within ecclesiastical governance. Drawing inspiration from Halberstam's concept of the 'queer art of failure,' Doe advocates for a fundamental shift—a move away from entrenched institutionalized debates toward a more inclusive, deconstructive discourse. Rather than perpetuating cycles of authoritative rhetoric, Doe proposes a transformative realignment—one that challenges traditional power dynamics and fosters a more equitable theological dialogue. Provocative and timely, this book promises to illuminate new avenues toward a nuanced comprehension of church discourse.
By addressing gender equality as a fundamental expression of human dignity and justice on our continent, this collage of ? essays [by 14 women and 6 men], is meant to serve as a concrete alternative to aspects of gender inequality ? Its format is particularly devised for use in the classroom, and for critical-constructive group engagement. It is our sincere prayer that it will also be used in imaginative ways by clergy and in congregations as a necessary part of adult learning programmes.
How can ordinary Christians find moral guidance for the mundane dilemmas they confront in their daily lives? To answer this question, Julie Hanlon Rubio brings together a rich Catholic theology of marriage and a strong commitment to social justice to focus on the place where the ethics of ordinary life are played out: the family. Sex, money, eating, spirituality, and service. According to Rubio, all are areas for practical application of an ethics of the family. In each area, intentional practices can function as acts of resistance to a cultural and middle-class conformity that promotes materialism over relationships. These practices forge deep connections within the family and help families live out their calling to be in solidarity with others and participate in social change from below. It is through these everyday moral choices that most Christians can live out their faith—and contribute to progress in the world.
Fourteen members of The Context Group honor Bruce J. Malina and his scholarship in this volume by following his consistent example of developing or using explicit social scientific models to interpret documents from the ancient Mediterranean world. Ordinary features of that cultural world such as gossip, reciprocity, a pervasive military presence, the power of women, and becoming a follower of Jesus stand out with greater clarity in the Bible when a reader understands the cultural matrix in which such social dynamics function. These essays reflect The Context Group s more than twenty years of collaborative experience in researching the cultural context of the Bible. New insights are built on the solidly established foundations of their earlier cross-cultural studies. Readers will find the individual essays enlightening and challenging. Taken as a whole they form a valuable resource and a stimulating and helpful aid to further study. John J. Pilch, Ph.D., a founding member of The Context Group, is Professor of Biblical Literature at Georgetown University, Washington, DC.
As Christianity in Africa is witnessing an unprecedented growth in membership, the author argues that in order to sustain its momentous growth and deepen the faith particularly among Catholics, the Church needs to acculturate an African model that resonates with Africans’ religiosity, cultural consciousness and worldview. The author contends that the model of the Church as the Extended family of God is best suited for an African ecclesiology and deepening the faith of African Christians.