Social Setting of the Ministry As Reflected in the Writings of Hermas, Clement and Ignatius

by Maier, Harry O.

• ISBN13: 9780889204119
• ISBN10: 088920411X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-11-01
• Publisher: Wilfrid Laurier Univ Pr

Summary

Focussing on three first- and early-second-century documents (the Shepherd of Hermas, 1 Clement and the Ignatian epistles), this work contributes to a growing body of literature concerned with the social setting of early Christianity. Maier argues that the development of structures of leadership in the early Christian church is best accounted for by reference to the hospitality, patronage, and leadership of wealthy hosts who invited local Christian groups to meet in their homes. Sociological models and types are employed to analyze the tensions that arose from excesses of patronage and leadership by the well-to-do.

Author Biography

Harry O. Maier is associate professor of New Testament studies at the Vancouver School of Theology, fellow of Green College at the University of British Columbia, and fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Introduction	1	(1)
A Topic With a Long History	1	(3)
The Early Ministry and the Household: A House-Church Trajectory	4	(1)
The Methodology	5	(5)
The Strategy	10	(1)
Notes	11	(4)
The Household in the Ancient World	15	(14)
The Traditional Graeco-Roman Household	15	(3)
The Household and Mystery Religions and Foreign Cults, Philosophical Schools, Associations, and Jewish Synagogues	18	(6)
Summary	24	(1)
Notes	24	(5)
The Pauline Epistles	29	(1)
Part One: The Genuine Pauline Epistles	29	(11)
The Early Pauline Church as Sectarian	29	(3)
The Household Context of the Christian Sect	32	(4)
House-Church Leadership	36	(4)
Part Two: The Pseudonymous Pauline Epistles	40	(163)
Colossians and Ephesians	40	(3)
The Pastoral Epistles	43	(4)
Summary	47	(1)
Notes	47	(8)
The Shepherd of Hermas	55	(32)
Date	55	(3)
Purpose of the Work	58	(7)
Relation between the Church and the World	65	(7)
Ethics and Separation from the World	72	(6)
Notes	78	(9)
1 Clement	87	(60)
The Setting of the Corinthian Dispute	87	(7)
1 Clement and Sect Development	94	(14)
Institutionalization	108	(14)
Legitimation	122	(13)
Notes	135	(12)
Ignatius	147	(52)
The Social Setting of the Ignatian Epistles	147	(9)
Charisma in the Ignatian Epistles	156	(14)
Ignatius and Community-Protecting Charisma	170	(12)
Legitimation	182	(5)
Notes	187	(12)
Epilogue	199	(4)
Notes	201	(2)
Abbreviations	203	(2)
Bibliography	205	(1)
Edition of Primary Sources	205	(1)
Secondary Sources	205