The Acts of The Apostles: An Introduction and Study Guide
Taming the Tongues of Fire
Published on 12. January 2017
Book
Paperback/Softback
112 pages
978-0-567-67123-3 (ISBN)
Description
The book of Acts opens with the dramatic story of tongues of flame descending upon believers at Pentecost and the prophecy of an egalitarian dispensation of the Spirit being fulfilled. Yet, as the narrative unfolds, we become aware of a tension between the socially egalitarian promise of the Pentecost story and the author's underlying concern to provide reassurance for his elite patron Theophilus that Jesus followers do not disturb the existing social order.
In this guide, Acts is read as a struggle to tame the tongues of fire. Acts mutes the egalitarian promise of the Spirit through presenting an 'orderly account' (as its author calls it) of the Jesus movement that appeals to elite sensibilities. And, at the same time, the narrative contains contradictions, gaps and fissures that suggest the outlines of a more complex, and even subversive, religious movement.
In this guide, Acts is read as a struggle to tame the tongues of fire. Acts mutes the egalitarian promise of the Spirit through presenting an 'orderly account' (as its author calls it) of the Jesus movement that appeals to elite sensibilities. And, at the same time, the narrative contains contradictions, gaps and fissures that suggest the outlines of a more complex, and even subversive, religious movement.
Reviews / Votes
In spite of its brevity, the book is rich in content, informative, frequently challenging of cherished interpretations, and likely to open a reader's eyes to otherwise overlooked intricacies of Acts. * Brian LePort, Review of Biblical Literature. *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight
187 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-567-67123-3 (9780567671233)
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
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
01/2017
1st Edition
T.& T.Clark Ltd
€22.99
Available for download
E-Book
01/2017
1st Edition
T.& T.Clark Ltd
€22.99
Available for download
Person
Shelly Matthews is Associate Professor of New Testament at Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University, Forth Worth, USA.
Content
1. TRADITIONAL QUESTIONS IN ACTS SCHOLARSHIP
Luke-Acts or Luke and Acts?
The Lukan Preface
Acts and the Question of Genre
Acts among Ancient Historical Narratives
Acts and the Pauline Corpus
Dating Acts
2. NARRATIVE OVERVIEW
The Jerusalem Section, Acts 1.1-8.3
Connecting Paul to the Jerusalem Apostles, Acts 8.4-12.25
Paul's Gentile Mission, 13.1-20.38
Paul in Roman Custody, 21.1-28.31
3. ACTS AND EMPIRE: SECURITY IN ROMAN TERMS
Gullible Women and the Dregs of Society
Jabbering in Corners
Worshiping the Crucified
Spitting at the Gods and Scorning Public Robes
Worse than the 'Wretched Tribe' of the Jews
4. ACTS ON JEWS AND JUDAISM: VIOLENCE 'TURNED INWARD'
UNDER EMPIRE
The Nature of Intramural Polemic
Roman Perspectives on Jews and Judaism
Acts' Love of 'Things Jewish'
First, to the Jews
Beyond the Pale
Making Sense of Things
5. THE PENTECOST
The 'Orderly Account' of the Spirit's Descent
Reading against the Grain
Other Readings of the Pentecost
Imagining What Luke Attempts to Suppress
Luke-Acts or Luke and Acts?
The Lukan Preface
Acts and the Question of Genre
Acts among Ancient Historical Narratives
Acts and the Pauline Corpus
Dating Acts
2. NARRATIVE OVERVIEW
The Jerusalem Section, Acts 1.1-8.3
Connecting Paul to the Jerusalem Apostles, Acts 8.4-12.25
Paul's Gentile Mission, 13.1-20.38
Paul in Roman Custody, 21.1-28.31
3. ACTS AND EMPIRE: SECURITY IN ROMAN TERMS
Gullible Women and the Dregs of Society
Jabbering in Corners
Worshiping the Crucified
Spitting at the Gods and Scorning Public Robes
Worse than the 'Wretched Tribe' of the Jews
4. ACTS ON JEWS AND JUDAISM: VIOLENCE 'TURNED INWARD'
UNDER EMPIRE
The Nature of Intramural Polemic
Roman Perspectives on Jews and Judaism
Acts' Love of 'Things Jewish'
First, to the Jews
Beyond the Pale
Making Sense of Things
5. THE PENTECOST
The 'Orderly Account' of the Spirit's Descent
Reading against the Grain
Other Readings of the Pentecost
Imagining What Luke Attempts to Suppress