Reflections on Power and Authority in Early Christian Communities
Will be published approx. on 12. November 2026
Book
Hardback
240 pages
979-8-7651-8932-0 (ISBN)
Description
This edited collection considers the concept of power in the New Testament and early Christian writings.
Ronald Clark, Stanley Helton, Anne Moore, and their contributors contend that power in South West Asia and North Africa was not only a desired commodity, but an important tool to navigate the ancient Honor/Shame climate. Bringing together both early career and established scholars with ministry leaders, the essays herein explore the positive uses of power to foster peace and shalom in Early Christian communities. Drawing from sociological, rhetorical, feminist, postcolonial, and empire-critical methodologies, the contributors examine how authority is constructed, displaced, and reimagined through figures such as Jesus, Paul, and individuals in the Roman Empire. The essays herein engage with classical theories (Weber, Arendt, Foucault, Lukes), analyze key biblical texts (Matthew, Luke, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians), and reflect on the socio-political context of Roman imperialism. In doing so, the book challenges traditional interpretations and offers fresh insights into leadership, identity, and theological ethics in early Christianity.
Ronald Clark, Stanley Helton, Anne Moore, and their contributors contend that power in South West Asia and North Africa was not only a desired commodity, but an important tool to navigate the ancient Honor/Shame climate. Bringing together both early career and established scholars with ministry leaders, the essays herein explore the positive uses of power to foster peace and shalom in Early Christian communities. Drawing from sociological, rhetorical, feminist, postcolonial, and empire-critical methodologies, the contributors examine how authority is constructed, displaced, and reimagined through figures such as Jesus, Paul, and individuals in the Roman Empire. The essays herein engage with classical theories (Weber, Arendt, Foucault, Lukes), analyze key biblical texts (Matthew, Luke, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians), and reflect on the socio-political context of Roman imperialism. In doing so, the book challenges traditional interpretations and offers fresh insights into leadership, identity, and theological ethics in early Christianity.
Reviews / Votes
This is a highly welcomed contribution to research on power and authority permeating New Testament texts. Theoretically profound, the essays represent diverse perspectives and approaches demonstrating the significance of New Testament research in dialogue with other academic disciplines. This leads to illuminating insights that will stimulate further much needed discussion on power in research as well as in faith communities and contemporary society. * Kathy Ehrensperger, University of Basel *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Laminated cover
Illustrations
2 bw illus and 5 tables
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 153 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
349 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-7651-8932-0 (9798765189320)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Ron Clark is an Adjunct Professor at George Fox University, Harding School of Theology and Co-Director for Agape Community Ministries in Portland, OR, USA.
Stanley N. Helton is President and Professor of New Testament and Ministry at Alberta Bible College, Calgary, Canada.
Anne Moore is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of Calgary, Canada.
Stanley N. Helton is President and Professor of New Testament and Ministry at Alberta Bible College, Calgary, Canada.
Anne Moore is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of Calgary, Canada.
Content
Introduction: Introduction to Power and Authority in the Early Christian Communities, Anne Moore (University of Calgary, Canada)
Part 1: Power and Authority in the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles
1: The Centurion at Capernaum: Authority, Faith, and Rearrangement in the Kingdom, Matthew 8:5-13, Daniel K. Christensen (Phd Candidate, Fuller Theological Seminary, USA)
2: The Power of Forgiveness: Textual Criticism and Theological Imagination in Luke 23:34a, David D.M. King (University of Denver and the Iliff School of Theology, USA)
3: Receiving Power, Trading Authority: Differentiating the Transactional Capabilities of Power and Authority through Simon the Magician's Request, Acts 8:9-24in Acts, Daniel K. Christensen (Phd Candidate, Fuller Theological Seminary, USA)
Part 2: Power, Authority, Paul, and the Early Christian Communities
4: Redescribing Paul's Tree (of Israel) Metaphor: Salvation for non-Yeshua Following Abrahamic- Faith Jews of an Abrahamic-Faith?, Ralph Korner (Taylor Seminary of Kairos University, USA)
5: Carried Away with the Humiliated: Paul's Hermeneutic of Transformation Among the Marginalized in Romans 12:1-16, Ronald Clark (Fuller Theological Seminary, USA)
6: Discourse, Identity, and Power: What 1 Cor 1:10-4:21 Does, Esther G. Cen (Seattle Pacific University and Seminary, USA)
7: Be Involved in Your Families: Withness as a Model for Congregational Leadership in the Early Christian Congregations, Ronald Clark (Fuller Theological Seminary, USA)
Conclusion by Stanley Helton
About the Contributors
Part 1: Power and Authority in the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles
1: The Centurion at Capernaum: Authority, Faith, and Rearrangement in the Kingdom, Matthew 8:5-13, Daniel K. Christensen (Phd Candidate, Fuller Theological Seminary, USA)
2: The Power of Forgiveness: Textual Criticism and Theological Imagination in Luke 23:34a, David D.M. King (University of Denver and the Iliff School of Theology, USA)
3: Receiving Power, Trading Authority: Differentiating the Transactional Capabilities of Power and Authority through Simon the Magician's Request, Acts 8:9-24in Acts, Daniel K. Christensen (Phd Candidate, Fuller Theological Seminary, USA)
Part 2: Power, Authority, Paul, and the Early Christian Communities
4: Redescribing Paul's Tree (of Israel) Metaphor: Salvation for non-Yeshua Following Abrahamic- Faith Jews of an Abrahamic-Faith?, Ralph Korner (Taylor Seminary of Kairos University, USA)
5: Carried Away with the Humiliated: Paul's Hermeneutic of Transformation Among the Marginalized in Romans 12:1-16, Ronald Clark (Fuller Theological Seminary, USA)
6: Discourse, Identity, and Power: What 1 Cor 1:10-4:21 Does, Esther G. Cen (Seattle Pacific University and Seminary, USA)
7: Be Involved in Your Families: Withness as a Model for Congregational Leadership in the Early Christian Congregations, Ronald Clark (Fuller Theological Seminary, USA)
Conclusion by Stanley Helton
About the Contributors