Dynamics of Identity in the World of the Early ChristiansThis study sheds new light on identity formation and maintenance in the world of the early Christians by drawing on neglected archaeological and epigraphic evidence concerning associations and immigrant groups and by incorporating insights from the social sciences. The study's unique contribution relates, in part, to its interdisciplinary character, standing at the intersection of Christian Origins, Jewish Studies, Classical Studies, and the Social Sciences. It also breaks new ground in its thoroughly comparative framework, giving the Greek and Roman evidence its due, not as mere background but as an integral factor in understanding dynamics of identity among early Christians. This makes the work particularly well suited as a text for courses that aim to understand early Christian groups and literature, including the New Testament, in relation to their Greek, Roman, and Judean contexts. Inscriptions pertaining to associations provide a new angle of vision on the ways in which members in Christian congregations and Jewish synagogues experienced belonging and expressed their identities within the Greco-Roman world. The many other groups of immigrants throughout the cities of the empire provide a particularly appropriate framework for understanding both synagogues of Judeans and groups of Jesus-followers as minority cultural groups in these same contexts. Moreover, there were both shared means of expressing identity (including fictive familial metaphors) and peculiarities in the case of both Jews and Christians as minority cultural groups, who (like other "foreigners") were sometimes characterized as dangerous, alien "anti-associations". By paying close attention to dynamics of identity and belonging within associations and cultural minority groups, we can gain new insights into Pauline, Johannine, and other early Christian communities. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Judean and Christian Identities in the Context of Associations | 23 |
Familial Dimensions of Group Identity | 61 |
Identity and Acculturation among Judeans and Other Ethnic Associations | 97 |
Group Interactions and Rivalries | 143 |
Conclusion | 182 |
Abbreviations | 186 |
Bibliography | 189 |
Indices | 220 |
Other editions - View all
Dynamics of Identity in the World of the Early Christians Philip A. Harland No preview available - 2009 |
Dynamics of Identity in the World of the Early Christians Philip A. Harland No preview available - 2009 |
Common terms and phrases
_]udean acculturation activities ancient approach Asia Minor assimilation associations attested authors belonging benefactor brother called categorizations cent century chapter Christian civic common concept concerning congregations connection context continued cults cultural minority groups deities devoted diaspora discussion early Christian Edited Egypt ethnic groups ethnic identity evidence express external fictive first followers foreign further gatherings gods grave Greek guild Hierapolis honour human immigrants important indications individual initiates inscriptions instance institutions interactions internal involving Italy Judean language leader least letters lines means membership mention monument mother mysteries nature networks notes ofthe parental particular position practices processes question recent reference reflect regarding relation ritual Robert role Roman Rome sacred sacrifice scholars seems sense shared shows similar Smyrna social society specifically stereotypes suggests synagogue synod Syrian term third tion titles Trans University Press various
Bibliographic information
| Title | Dynamics of Identity in the World of the Early Christians |
| Author | Philip A. Harland |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | A&C Black, 2009 |
| ISBN | 0567111466, 9780567111463 |
| Length | 239 pages |
| Subjects | › › Religion / Biblical Biography / New Testament Religion / Biblical Studies / History & Culture Religion / Christianity / History |
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