The Gospel of Matthew in Its Roman Imperial Context

by Riches, John K.; Riches, John K.; Sim, David C.; Sim, David C.

• ISBN13: 9780567084583
• ISBN10: 0567084582
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-06-15
• Publisher: Bloomsbury T & T Clark

Summary

The Gospel of Matthew in its Roman Imperial Context examines how Matthew's gospel reflects the situation in which the community found itself after the fall of Jerusalem and the subsequent humiliation of Jews across the Roman Empire. It considers the extent to which Matthew was seeking to oppose Rome's claims to authority and sovereignty over the whole world, to set up alternative systems of power and society, and to forge new senses of identity. It asks how Matthew's approach to such problems compared with that of Jews who were not followers of Jesus Christ and with that of others, Jews and Gentiles, who were followers.

Table of Contents

List of Contributors	vi
Abbreviations	vii
INTRODUCTION	1	(8)
John Riches
ROME IN APOCALYPTIC AND RABBINIC LITERATURE	9	(25)
Philip F. Esler
A RELUCTANT PROVINCIAL: JOSEPHUS AND THE ROMAN EMPIRE IN JEWISH WAR	34	(15)
James S. McLaren
EMPIRE: THEORIES, METHODS, MODELS	49	(26)
Dennis C. Duling
A STATE OF TENSION: ROME IN THE NEW TESTAMENT	75	(16)
Peter Oakes
ROME IN MATTHEW'S ESCHATOLOGY	91	(16)
David C. Sim
'THUS YOU WILL KNOW THEM BY THEIR FRUITS': THE ROMAN CHARACTERS OF THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW	107	(21)
Dorothy Jean Weaver
MATTHEW'S MISSIONARY STRATEGY IN COLONIAL PERSPECTIVE	128	(15)
John Riches
MATTHAEAN CHRISTOLOGY IN ROMAN IMPERIAL KEY: MATTHEW 1.1	143	(23)
Warren Carter
CONCLUSIONS	166	(4)
David C. Sim
Bibliography	170	(15)
Index of References	185	(14)
Index of Authors	199