Janet H. Tulloch

Margaret Y. MacDonald

Carolyn Osiek

House Churches In Earliest Christianity

A Woman's Place

Daniel J. Harrington

No two works in the Pauline Epistles resemble each other as closely as Colossians and Ephesians. Often recognized for their majestic tone and powerful theological statement, Colossians and Ephesians also present many challenges of interpretation. Most commentaries on these letters seem preoccupied with the same few issues, particularly the question of authorship. As MacDonald addresses these classic questions, she offers a fresh perspective on Colossians and Ephesians by making use of insights from the social sciences. Moreover, by paying attention to subtle differences between the two letters, she brings their distinct perspectives into sharp relief. MacDonald highlights the interplay between Colossians and Ephesians and the social life of New Testament communities. She illustrates how the texts reflect ancient cultural values and are influenced by particular aspects of community life such as worship and household existence. In particular, she reflects on the issues faced by these communities as they formed institutions and interacted with the society around them. She shows the struggles of the New Testament communities to survive and maintain a distinct identity in first-century society. Chapters under Colossians are Greeting (1:1-2), Thanksgiving for the Colossians (1:3-8), Prayer on Behalf of the Colossians (1:9-14, ) The Christ-Hymn (1:15-20), Application of Hymn to the Situation in Colossae (1:21-23), Paul's Authority in Colossae and Laodicea (1:24-2:7), Debate with the Opponents: The Power of the Risen Christ (2:8-15), Debate with the Opponents: Warnings Against Ascetic Practices (2:16-23), New Life in Light of the Resurrection (3:1-4), Ethical Guidelines for a New Life (3:5-17), The Households of Believers(3:18-4:1), Prayer, Mission, and Contact with Outsiders (4:2-6), Conclusion: Personal Notes and Greetings (4:7-18). Chapters under Ephesians are Greeting (1:1-2), Blessing (1:3-14), Thanksgiving and Prayer (1:15-23), The Consequences of Life Together with Christ (2:1-10), The Unity of Jews and Gentiles Created by Christ (2:11-22), The Apostle as Interpreter of the Divine Mystery (3:1-13), Prayer and Doxology (3:14-21), The Unity of the Spirit (4:1-16), The Sons of Disobedience and the Children of Light (4:17-5:20), The Households of Believers (5:21-6:9), Doing Battle with Evil (6:10-20), Conclusion: Personal Matters and Final Blessing (6:21-24). Margaret Y. MacDonald is a professor in the department of religious studies at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia.

Colossians and Ephesians

This is a study of how women figured in public reaction to the church from New Testament times to Christianity's encounter with the pagan critics of the second century CE. The reference to a hysterical woman was made by the most prolific critic of Christianity, Celsus. He was referring to a follower of Jesus - probably Mary Magdalene - who was at the centre of efforts to create and promote belief in the resurrection. MacDonald draws attention to the conviction, emerging from the works of several pagan authors, that female initiative was central to Christianity's development; she sets out to explore the relationship between this and the common Greco-Roman belief that women were inclined towards excesses in religion. The findings of cultural anthropologists of Mediterranean societies are examined in an effort to probe the societal values that shaped public opinion and early church teaching. Concerns expressed in New Testament and early Christian texts about the respectability of women, and even generally about their behaviour, are seen in a new light when one appreciates that outsiders focused on early church women and understood their activities as a reflection of the group as a whole.

Margaret Y. MacDonald

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