Paul and the Dynamics of Power: Communication and Interaction in the Early Christ-Movement (The Library of New Testament Studies)

Ehrensperger, Kathy

ISBN 10: 0567614948 / ISBN 13: 9780567614940

Published by T&T Clark, 2009

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: Paul and the Dynamics of Power: Communication and Interaction in the Early Christ-Movement (The Library of New Testament Studies)
• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Publication Date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0567614948
• ISBN 13: 9780567614940
• Binding: paperback
• Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

In this illuminating study Kathy Ehrensperger looks at the question of Paul's use of power and authority as an apostle who understands himself as called to proclaim the Gospel among the gentiles. Ehrensperger examines the broad range of perspectives on how this use of power should be evaluated. These range from the traditional interpretation of unquestioned, taken for granted for a church leader, to a feminist interpretation. She examines whether or not Paul's use of power presents an open or hidden re-inscription of hierarchical structures in what was previously a discipleship of equals.

Paul and the Dynamics of Power questions whether such hierarchical tendencies are rightly identified within Paul's discourse of power. Furthermore it considers whether these are inherently and necessarily expressions of domination and control and are thus in opposition to a 'discipleship of equals'? In her careful analysis Ehrensperger draws on such wide-ranging figures as Derrida, Michel Foucault and James Scott. This enables fresh insights into Paul's use of authority and power in its first century context.

About the Authors

Kathy Ehrensperger is Research Professor New Testament in Jewish Perspective, Abraham GeigerCollege, at the University of Potsdam, Germany.

Chris Keith is Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society, Norway. He is the author of The Pericope Adulterae, the Gospel of John and the Literacy of Jesus, a winner of the 2010 John Templeton Award for Theological Promise, and Jesus' Literacy: Scribal Culture and the Teacher from Galilee. He is also the co-editor of Jesus among Friends and Enemies: A Historical and Literary Introduction to Jesus in the Gospels, and was recently named a 2012 Society of Biblical Literature Regional Scholar.