The book explores the debate surrounding Jesus's healings and exorcisms, examining whether they should be classified as miracles or as acts of magic performed by a magician. It challenges the standard interpretations in modern scholarship, presenting provocative arguments from respected scholars who suggest a re-evaluation of these events. This analysis delves into the implications of viewing Jesus's actions through the lens of magic, offering a fresh perspective on his role and the nature of his works.
In Jesus and the Politics of Roman Palestine, Richard A. Horsley offers one of the most comprehensive critical analyses of Jesus of Nazareth's mission and how he became a significant historical figure. In his study Horsley brings a fuller historical knowledge of the context and implications of recent research to bear on the investigation of the historical Jesus. Breaking with the standard focus on isolated individual sayings of Jesus, Horsley argues that the sources for Jesus in historical interaction are the Gospels and the speeches of Jesus that they include, read critically in their historical context. This work addresses the standard assumptions that the historical Jesus has been presented primarily as a sage or apocalyptic visionary. In contrast, based on a critical reconsideration of the Gospels and contemporary sources for Roman imperial rule in Judea and Galilee, Horsley argues that Jesus was fully involved in the conflicted politics of ancient Palestine. Learning from anthropological studies of the more subtle forms of peasant politics, Horsley discerns from these sources how Jesus, as a Moses- and Elijah-like prophet, generated a movement of renewal in Israel that was focused on village communities. Following the traditional prophetic pattern, Jesus pronounced God's judgment against the rulers in Jerusalem and their Roman patrons. This confrontation with the Jerusalem rulers and his martyrdom at the hands of the Roman governor, however, became the breakthrough that empowered the rapid expansion of his movement in the immediately ensuing decades. In the broader context of this comprehensive historical construction of Jesus's mission, Horsley also presents a fresh new analysis of Jesus's healings and exorcisms and his conflict with the Pharisees, topics that have been generally neglected in the last several decades
This collection of essays examines the Gospels of Matthew and Luke (Q) from the point of view that the sayings of Jesus recorded there were, in fact, a series of speeches, oral performances. Further, it also seeks to understand the particular social and historical context of Q by applying the work of James C. Scott, who has been instrumental in framing and investigating the division between elite and popular culture, a line of inquiry that has broad implications for understanding the discourses in Q. These two parts of the volume come together to address the questions, Does Q reflect a village-centered (Galilean) mobilization of the subordinate against the dominant? And does it reveal the "hidden transcripts," that is, the private anti-elite discourse, of the peasantry?
The book critiques contemporary biblical scholarship that often dismisses the nativity narratives as lacking historical foundation, viewing them instead as reflections of the theologies of Matthew and Luke. It also addresses how nonbiblical interpretations reduce these stories to mere folklore adaptations of heroic births. This analysis highlights the disconnect between scholarly views and the beliefs of ordinary Christians, who may find themselves misled by commercial narratives and media portrayals surrounding the nativity.
"The five articles and Simon Price's response at the core of this book were originally papers delivered in a session of the Paul and Politics Group at the 2000 SBL Annual Meeting. There are a number of special features that make this a special combination of articles on Paul in what is turning out to be a highly suggestive new perspective and context, the ancient Roman imperial order. First, these articles are all informed by and respond in some way to the ground-breaking work of Simon Price on the Roman imperial cult in Greek cities, some of the very cities in which Paul carried out his mission. Invited as a special guest of the SBL for the 2000 Annual Meeting, Price was the respondent to these papers and interaction with him has aided the authors in their revisions. The articles bring a rich variety of fresh perspectives to issues of the relation of Paul and the Roman imperial order, including postcolonial theory, political-anthropological theory (James C. Scott), postcolonial theory, and feminist theory, along with the new perspective on the imperial cult represented by Price. This collection of articles thus stands at the cutting edge of new scholarship on Paul's mission and letters in his political and cultural context. Contributors for this book include Robert Jewett, Abraham Smith, Neil Elliott, Rollin A. Ramsaran, Efrain Agosto, Erik Heen, Jennifer Wright Knust, and Simon R.F. Price. Richard A. Horsley is Distinguished Professor of Liberal Arts and the Study of Religion at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and the author of Paul and Politics: Ekklesia, Israel, Imperium, Interpretation and Paul and Empire: Religion and Power in Roman Imperial Society."--Bloomsbury Publishing
Focusing on the narrative structure of Mark's Gospel, Richard Horsley offers insights for both new and seasoned readers. He examines the Gospel's plot and sub-plot while emphasizing its oral performance origins. By applying sociological methods, Horsley reveals how Jesus confronted the prevailing societal norms of his time, encouraging readers to reconsider familiar themes from fresh perspectives.
Focusing on the intersection of faith and economics, this book delves into biblical teachings to illuminate economic justice. Richard Horsley presents a thorough examination of how scripture addresses economic issues, making it a valuable resource for pastors, students, and laypeople alike. By highlighting the Bible's relevance to contemporary economic challenges, the work encourages readers to reflect on the moral implications of their economic choices in today's world.
Focusing on the writings of the New Testament, this series provides concise, critical commentaries tailored for theology students and upper-level college learners, as well as pastors and church leaders. Each volume not only offers essential information and insights into the texts but also demonstrates the methods of thorough, critical exegesis, making it a valuable resource for deeper understanding and study of the New Testament.
The book explores the emergence of Judaism and Christianity within the context of Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman empires, emphasizing the significance of wisdom and apocalyptic traditions during this era. Richard A. Horsley, a noted New Testament scholar, delves into the social dynamics that shaped these religious movements, offering crucial insights into early Judaism and Christianity. It serves as an essential resource for understanding the Second Temple period, making it suitable for academic courses on these topics, including the Dead Sea Scrolls and Apocrypha.
Focusing on economic justice within the biblical tradition, this volume explores how Jesus' teachings and Paul's community-building efforts challenged the Roman imperial system. It highlights critical issues like food security and resource access, emphasizing the need for liberation from oppression and economic exploitation. The author draws parallels between ancient struggles and contemporary challenges posed by global capitalism, urging a strategic response to modern forms of violence and extraction that continue to impact vulnerable populations.
