Helen Bond

John Glenn Rumple

The principal contention of this thesis is that the earliest Christians viewed the crucifixion of Jesus as paradigmatic for discipleship, confirmation of which can be found in the history and function of a particular saying ascribed to Jesus, namely the 'cross saying' (Mk 8:34 and par.). To verify this claim, I explore both the literary tradition and material culture of early Christianity as they relate to the cross saying, explicating the various ways that "taking up the cross" functioned to ensure unwavering loyalty to Jesus. Taking a traditional exegetical approach, I also engage recent work on sapiential literature (mainly Q) and Historical Jesus studies, observing the diverse ways in which the first several generations of Jesus' followers adapted this saying--both as an aphorism for inclusion in gospels, and in the development of cognate versions useful in more theological settings (e.g., Gal 2:20). Proceeding diachronically via a textual analysis of the cross saying in Q, the Synoptics, and then the Gospel of Thomas, I trace the ways in which the composers of these texts addressed the different social situations of their audiences in an effort to secure commitment to Jesus (or, in the case of Gos. Thom., conformity to his enlightened teachings). Then, turning from the literature to the social and political environment of the New Testament, I note the radical reversal, occurring early in Christian thought, which transformed the crucifixion of Jesus from a shameful social experience into one of honour, and worthy of emulation. Even more significant in terms of current research, I break from the opinions of several New Testament scholars in finding little evidence that the cross saying (presuming it was dominical) functioned as a call to political insurrection. Rather, as evidenced in Christian material culture from the second and third centuries (symbols, the orant prayer posture, making the 'sign of the cross,' and so on), the association of crucifixion with discipleship was understood primarily in terms of religious devotion to Jesus.

The History and Function of the Cross Saying in Earliest Christianity

"Take Up the Cross" (Mark 8:34 and Par.)

Izolda Fotiyeva

Bernadine Barr

Fang Wu

This book examines how school-aged children and youth in the United States, Sierra Leone, West Africa, Jamaica, China, and Russia made meaning of the election of Barack Obama as the first African American President of the United States. The book is developed from an international research study exploring how school-aged youth understood Obama's messages. The book further examines whether youth believed race relations in their country or human relations in the world might change as a result of this historic election. Children made vibrant drawings of "what President Obama means to me," revealing their innermost thoughts and secrets about their lives, their futures, and the United States. Youth also revealed how they learned about Obama, including their surprising one word impressions of him. The rich contents of the book, the issues it raises, and the insights it provides will offer readers a unique opportunity to look into the minds of the future generation around the world.

President Obama and the Future Generation

Through Children's Eyes

Joan Taylor

Do you think that Jesus only surrounded himself with men? Think again. Inspired by their popular Channel 4 documentary Jesus' Female Disciples, historians Helen Bond and Joan Taylor explore the way in which Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Mary, Martha and a whole host of other women - named and unnamed - have been remembered by posterity, noting how many were silenced, tamed or slurred by innuendo - though occasionally they get to slay dragons. Women Remembered looks at the representation of these women in art, and the way they have been remembered in inscriptions and archaeology. And of course they dig into the biblical texts, exposing misogyny and offering alternative and unexpected ways of appreciating these women as disciples, apostles, teachers, messengers and church-founders. At a time when both the church and society more widely are still grappling with the full inclusion and equality of women, this is a must-read for anyone interested in the historical and cultural origins of Christianity.

Jesus' Female Disciples

Women Remembered

An up-to-date picture of Jesus of Nazareth, highlighting the problems and pitfalls encountered in such a venture, and including a survey of current scholarship.

Helen Bond

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