Jesus and Empire

by Horsley, Richard A.

• ISBN13: 9780800634902
• ISBN10: 080063490X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-11-01
• Publisher: Fortress Pr

Summary

A major advance in Jesus studies and a critique of oppression. Horsley focuses his attention on how Jesus' proclamation of the kingdom of God relates to Roman and Herodian power politics.

Author Biography

Richard A. Horsley is Distinguished Professor of Liberal Arts and the Study of Religion at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Introduction: American Identity and a Depoliticized Jesus	1	(1)
America's Ambiguous Identity	1	(4)
Separating Religion and Domesticating Jesus	5	(8)
Investigating Jesus and the Empire	13	(2)
Roman Imperialism: The New World Disorder	15	(20)
The Emergence of a Single Superpower	16	(4)
Roman Imperialism	20	(11)
Indirect Rule through Kings and High Priests	31	(4)
Resistance and Rebellion in Judea and Galilee	35	(20)
The Persistence and Social Roots of Revolt in Roman Palestine	35	(4)
Protest, Resistance, and Terrorism by Scribal Groups	39	(6)
Popular Protests---and Distinctive Israelite Movements	45	(10)
Toward a Relational Approach to Jesus	55	(24)
Multiple Aspects in Considering a Historical Leader	56	(3)
Historical Conditions and Cultural Traditions	59	(4)
Discerning Jesus-in-Movement in Gospel Sources	63	(9)
Taking the Gospel Whole	72	(7)
God's Judgment of the Roman Imperial Order	79	(26)
The Conditions of Renewal: Judgment of Rulers	81	(5)
Jesus' Prophetic Condemnation of the Temple and High Priests	86	(12)
Jesus' Prophetic Condemnation of Roman Imperial Rule	98	(7)
Covenantal Community and Cooperation	105	(24)
Healing the Effects of Imperialism	106	(5)
Working in Village Communities	111	(2)
Renewing Covenantal Communities	113	(13)
Jesus' Alternative to the Roman Imperial Order	126	(3)
Epilogue: Christian Empire and American Empire	129	(22)
Christian Empire	129	(8)
American Empire	137	(14)
Abbreviations	151	(2)
Notes	153	(20)
Index of Ancient Sources	173