Reconstructing Honor in Roman Philippi
Carmen Christi as Cursus Pudorum
1st Edition
Published on 1. July 2005
978-0-511-11419-9 (ISBN)
Description
This book examines Paul's letter to the Philippians against the social background of the colony at Philippi. After an extensive survey of Roman social values, Professor Hellerman argues that the cursus honorum, the formalized sequence of public offices that marked out the prescribed social pilgrimage for aspiring senatorial aristocrats in Rome (and which was replicated in miniature in municipalities and in voluntary associations), forms the background against which Paul has framed his picture of Jesus in the great Christ hymn in Philippians 2. In marked contrast to the values of the dominant culture, Paul portrays Jesus descending what the author describes as a cursus pudorum ('course of ignominies'). The passage has thus been intentionally framed to subvert Roman cursus ideology and, by extension, to redefine the manner in which honour and power were to be utilized among the Christians at Philippi.
Reviews / Votes
Review of the hardback: 'Hellerman jumps into the deep waters of Phil. 2.6-11 with an attractively simple thesis ... The whole argument is carried through straightforwardly and effectively. ... a good contribution to the task of situating 2.6-11 in its context at Philippi.' Journal for the Study of the New Testament Review of the hardback: 'This is a valuable book, ... the structure as it stands does give the book an extra possible use as an interesting introduction to, and case-study on, the relevance of honour for the understanding of first-century texts from the Roman Empire.' Peter Oakes, University of ManchesterMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Cambridge University Press
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
Worked examples or Exercises
File size
2,10 MB
ISBN-13
978-0-511-11419-9 (9780511114199)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
11/2008
Cambridge University Press
€52.20
Shipment within 15-20 days
Book
06/2005
Cambridge University Press
€128.70
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Joseph H. Hellerman is Professor of New Testament Language and Literature at Talbot School of Theology and Co-Pastor at Oceanside Christian Fellowship in El Segundo, California.
Content
Introduction; 1. Roman social organization; 2. Preoccupation with Honor and the Cursus Honorum; 3. The Roman colony at Philippi; 4. Honor and status in Philippi; 5. Acts and Philippians; 6. Carmen Christi as Cursus Pudorum; 7. Summary and conclusion.
