When Christians Face Persecution

Contents
Foreword vii
Preface ix
List of abbreviations xi
Introduction 1
Understanding persecution: definition and scope 1
Let the New Testament authors speak for themselves: methodology 5
Theology of persecution in modern scholarship: a brief overview 9
Answering the relevant questions: overview of this book 11

1 Why it all began: exploring the reasons 12
Historical background 12
Greco-Roman religious world view 12
Jewish religious world view 18
Oppositions during the first century 23
Who persecuted the Christians? 24
Why do Christians face persecution? Perspectives of insiders and outsiders 36
Summary of theological perspectives 50

2 What was happening: responses to persecution 54
Forms of persecution 54
Tactics and plots 54
Official and non-official punishments 57
Diverse Christian responses 63
Resistance and perseverance 63
Apostasy and assimilation 76
Accommodation and adaptation 82
Summary of theological perspectives 89

3 How to stand firm to the end: persuading and empowering perseverance 94
Cultural background: the art of persuasion 94
Rhetorical conventions 94
Honour and shame 97
Persuasions to persevere 98
Mark 98
Matthew 101
Luke?Acts 108
John 109
Pauline epistles 114
Hebrews 118
1 Peter 128
Revelation 130
Summary of theological perspectives 151

4 Conclusion 156
Causes of persecution 156
Responses to persecution 157
Persuasions towards perseverance 159
Conclusion: when Christians face persecution today 161
Epilogue: some contemporary reflections 163
What constitutes persecution 163
Appropriating biblical exemplars and teachings 164
Understanding perspectives and formulating responses 166
Empathizing with the persecuted 169
Concluding remarks 170
Bibliography 171
Index of Scripture references 193