In Praise of Christian Origins Stephen and the Hellenists in Lukan Apologetic Historiography

by Penner, Todd

• ISBN13: 9780567026200
• ISBN10: 0567026205
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-06-18
• Publisher: Bloomsbury T & T Clark

Summary

Almost all scholars look to Acts 6:1-8:3 as providing the bedrock of early Christian tradition. The incident between the Hebrews and the Hellenists are understood to reflect real historical and theological problems in the early Jerusalem community, demonstrating the Hellenist role as a historical bridge between Jesus and paul. Penner's study challenges the fundamental assumptions of this approach. Penner emphasizes the rhetorical and moral dimensions of ancient historiographical theory, especially the centrality of narrative and plot, the use of vivid description, the application of comparison using various type-scenes, and the role of speeches in terms of characterization and the presentation of narrative style.

Author Biography

Todd Penner is the Assistant Professor of Religion at Austin College

Table of Contents

Foreword: Acts as Epideictic History: A Recommendation of and Response to Todd Penner	xi
David L. Balch
Preface	xxiii
Acknowledgments	xxix
Abbreviations	xxxv
Hellenists and Historia: Constructing Christian History and Theology in Modern Scholarship	1	(59)
Textualizing the Hellenists, Contextualizing Interpretation: Mapping the Exegetical Terrain	60	(44)
Writing History in Antiquity: Identity, Rhetoric, and Compelling Narration	104	(119)
Jewish Apologetic Historiography: Cultural Identity and Rewriting the Past	223	(39)
In Praise of Origins: The Hellenists, Stephen, and the Christian Foundation Narrative	262	(69)
Epilogue: Historiography, History, and the Academy	331	(8)
Bibliography	339	(38)
Index of Ancient Sources	377	(18)
Index of Modern Authors	395
Preface	ix
Maps	2	(1)
Introduction	3	(16)
Charlie	19	(20)
Minerva	39	(14)
Saints and Sinners	53	(12)
The Stavley Place	65	(21)
Hunting: Deer Tales	86	(10)
One-Room School	96	(21)
Fishing: The Foundation	117	(19)
Independence Rising	136	(19)
Golf: A Dream Course	155	(18)
Appendixes	173	(14)
Notes	187	(6)
Bibliography	193	(6)
Index	199
Illustrations, following	118