Documents and Images for the Study of Paul

Brief Description: "The world surrounding Paul and the assemblies comes vividly to life here. Documents and Images for the Study of Paul gathers representative texts illustrating Jewish practices, Greco-Roman moral exhortation, biblical interpretation, Roman ideology, apocalyptic visions, epistolary conventions, and more to illustrate the complex cultural environment in which Paul carried out his apostolic workand the manifold ways in which his legacy was reshaped in early Christianity. Paul is the focus of intense and often controversial scholarly attention today. Brief, insightful introductions orient the reader to the significance of ancient sources for different contemporary interpretations of Paul's life and thought. Photographs illustrate the visual environment of the Greco-Roman world; a map, a timeline, and an index of scripture passages make the sourcebook the perfect companion text for studying Paul and his letters. This is a foundational work for everyone who wants to learn more about Paul and the cultural, political, and religious environment of the Apostle's work and his letters" -- Publisher description. Marc Notes: Includes bibliographical references and indexes. Table of Contents: Preface -- Map of Paul's World -- Timeline -- Introduction: Exploring Paul's Environment -- The Appetite for Parallels: A Cautionary Note -- Other Available Resources -- What Difference Do Parallels Make in Our Reading? -- How to Use This Book -- 1. Paul's Self-Presentation -- Slave of Jesus Christ, Called an Apostle -- The Figure of the Philosopher -- Attitudes toward Manual Labor and Weakness -- The Obedience of Faith among the Nations -- Paul's Autobiography -- 2. Paul's Gospel and Paul's Letters -- Paul the Writer of Letters -- The Purpose of Letters: Connection -- Letters of Exhortation -- Types of Letters -- The Gospel in Paul's Letters -- The Public Face of Piety -- The Word of the Cross -- This Present Evil Age -- 3. The Gospel of Augustus -- The Gospel according to Virgil -- The Achievements of Augustus -- Claudius's Death and Nero's Accession -- The Vast Unruly Throng -- 4. Paul's People: Israel -- Questions, Questions -- The Diaspora -- The Rejection of Idols -- Tensions between Rome and Jewish Communities -- Jewish Attitudes to Roman Rule -- Plight and Solution -- 5. The Communities around Paul: The Ekklesiai -- Holiness and Impurity -- Impurity among the Nations -- The Roman Concern for Social Order -- The Challenge of Community -- 6. Paul's Legacy -- Paul the Writer of (Even More) Letters -- Paul the Philosopher and Theologian -- Paul the Ascetic -- Paul the Compelling Preacher and Wonder-Worker -- Paul the Opponent of the True Faith -- Paul the Martyr -- The Sword as the Apostle's Emblem -- Abbreviations -- Notes -- List of Translations -- Illustrations -- Index of Subjects -- Index of Modern Authors -- Index of Biblical and Apocryphal Writings -- Index of Other Ancient Literature.

Contributor Bio:  Elliott, Neil Neil Elliott teaches at the College of St Catherine in St Paul, Minnesota. Contributor Bio:  Reasoner, Mark Mark Reasoner is associate professor of theology at Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana.