James R. Harrison Livres

James R. Harrison argues that the Graeco-Roman benefaction context of 'favour') is the backdrop of Paul's understanding of divine and humane grace. By the first century AD as the leitmotiv of the Hellenistic reciprocity system. It shaped the conventions of giving and receiving throughout the eastern Mediterranean basin. Before Paul's converts were exposed to the gospel, they would have held various beliefs regarding divine beneficence. The apostle needed to tailor his language of grace as much to the theological concerns of Graeco-Roman culture as to first-century Judaism. In making benefaction terminology the touchstone of his theology of grace, Paul chose to articulate his understanding of ver and against the theological and social beliefs of the Mediterranean city-states and the imperial rulers. While Paul endorses the reciprocity system, he redefines its rationale in the light of the gospel of grace and transforms its social expression in his house-churches.

The book delves into the ideological clash between Paul's eschatological gospel and the Julio-Claudian imperial ideology, particularly in 1 and 2 Thessalonians and Romans. It highlights how Paul's message of Christ's reign opposed the Roman rulers' claims of eternal authority, using a variety of evidence to illustrate the cultural context of the time. By elevating the Body of Christ above the Roman state, Paul redefined social hierarchies and challenged Roman values, emphasizing a transformative vision of God's new creation through the Spirit.

The book explores the reception of Paul's letter to the Romans within the context of Neronian Rome, analyzing the city's material and ideological culture. It juxtaposes key Pauline themes with Roman ideological elements, providing insights into how the original audience may have interpreted the letter. Harrison's investigation sheds light on the interplay between early Christian thought and Roman societal values, offering a deeper understanding of the text's impact in its historical setting.