The Acts of The Apostles: An Introduction and Study Guide
Taming the Tongues of Fire
1st Edition
Published on 12. January 2017
112 pages
978-0-567-67124-0 (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.
More details
Series
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
ISBN-13
978-0-567-67124-0 (9780567671240)
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
Book
01/2017
T.& T.Clark Ltd
€30.80
Shipment within 10-20 days
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
