{"title":"<i>Christian Persecution in Antiquity</i> , by Wolfram KinzigChristian Persecution in Antiquity, by Wolfram Kinzig, Translated by Markus Bockmuehl, Baylor University Press, 2022., viii + 173 pp., ISBN: 978-1-4813-1388-9","authors":"Chrissy Hansen","doi":"10.1080/2222582x.2023.2278505","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/2222582x.2023.2278505","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":40708,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Early Christian History","volume":"108 30","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135137108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Witnessing with <i>Parrēsia</i> : Fearless Speech in the Acts of the Apostles","authors":"Adriani Milli Rodrigues","doi":"10.1080/2222582x.2023.2248652","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/2222582x.2023.2248652","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":40708,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Early Christian History","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134906864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"<i>Parrēsia</i> beyond Humankind? Exploring the Representation of the Voice of Creation in the Epistle to the Romans","authors":"Peter-Ben Smit, Iris Veerbeek","doi":"10.1080/2222582x.2023.2254022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/2222582x.2023.2254022","url":null,"abstract":"AbstractIn this article, the notion of parrēsia, freedom of speech, is explored with regard to the voice of (non-human) nature in Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Instances from chs. 1, 8, and 11 of this letter are discussed in interaction with both the broader discourse on parrēsia and the newer approach of “wild pedagogies” that focuses on allowing nature to speak for itself. The exegetical findings are sobering, as it becomes clear that Paul’s appeals to what can be conceptualised as the “voice of nature” in his letter are to be seen as his representation and rhetorical use of this voice primarily. This result can also serve as a reminder to be careful within the fields of eco-theology and eco-hermeneutics when it comes to appealing to the voice of nature without considering that it is often humans speaking for nature, rather than nature speaking for itself.Keywords: ecologyEpistle to the RomanshermeneuticsnatureparrēsiaPaulwild pedagogies","PeriodicalId":40708,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Early Christian History","volume":"85 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136382164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Paul's Ambivalent <i>Parrēsia</i>","authors":"Jeremy Punt","doi":"10.1080/2222582x.2023.2246105","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/2222582x.2023.2246105","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":40708,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Early Christian History","volume":"158 5","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134908888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Judaean <i>Christiani</i> in the Middle Decades of the First Century","authors":"Robert Drews","doi":"10.1080/2222582x.2023.2267802","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/2222582x.2023.2267802","url":null,"abstract":"AbstractThe Chrestiani (or Christiani) who, according to Tacitus, were executed by Nero for setting the fire of 64 CE were very likely apocalyptic and nationalist Judaeans rather than the New Covenant people greeted by Paul at Romans 16. For many observant Judaeans hoping for the liberation of Judaea from the Roman Empire, the title Christos (Messiah) was especially a reference to Jesus Nazoraios. Latin-speakers evidently coined the label Christiani for the boldest and loudest of these Judaean believers in the ascended Christos. Fervour for the expected return of Christos from heaven was intense among Judaeans in the 60s, contributing to the revolt of 66–70.Keywords: origin of the Christiani nameapocalyptic prophecyburning of RomeJosephusJudaean revolt of 66–70Son of ManSuetoniusTacitus","PeriodicalId":40708,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Early Christian History","volume":"308 4","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135413507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Number of the Myth: A Defence of the Ahistoricity of the Neronian Persecution","authors":"C. Hansen","doi":"10.1080/2222582x.2023.2208316","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/2222582x.2023.2208316","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":40708,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Early Christian History","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49571036","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"John Chrysostom on the Trilateral Reality of Baptism and the Efficacy of Tears","authors":"Ehab Elias","doi":"10.1080/2222582x.2023.2238141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/2222582x.2023.2238141","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Paul in Rom 6:2 asks, “How can we who died to sin go on living in it?” Commenting on this, John Chrysostom (ca. 349–407 CE) takes the opportunity to speak about participation in the death and resurrection of Christ. Christ died in the body, while the believer dies to sin. This participation takes place in baptism. Both Christ's death and a person's baptism are two complementing realities for any believer. This article argues that baptism for Chrysostom is not simply a moment of faith but a dynamic mystery in the believer's life. For post-baptismal sins, tears are the new baptism.","PeriodicalId":40708,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Early Christian History","volume":"13 1","pages":"40 - 61"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45526033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Jesus: A Life in Class Conflict","authors":"Roman A. Montero","doi":"10.1080/2222582X.2023.2239534","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/2222582X.2023.2239534","url":null,"abstract":"Among the countless attempts at reconstructing the historical Jesus, there are a few works which, from their specific vantage point and using their specific methodology, allow readers to think of the historical Jesus in fresh and compelling ways; Jesus: A Life in Class Conflict by James Crossley and Robert Myles is one of those works. Their historical materialist approach to the historical Jesus has proven to fit very well with the material—a Galilean peasant artisan with millenarian and apocalyptic views, proclaiming a kingdom of God, with teachings and parables full of political and class language—yet their historical materialist approach is a minority one, making their approach fresh and welcome. Overall, the work is modest and sober, focusing on what seems plausible and possible and situating the earliest traditions within the political, economic, and class dynamics of first century Palestine. Although the volume is written in a way that is readable to non-specialists, it still maintains a high level of scholarly care.","PeriodicalId":40708,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Early Christian History","volume":"13 1","pages":"81 - 85"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43030075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"St. Arsenius as Imperial Paideutēs: A Reappraisal","authors":"S. Dmitriev","doi":"10.1080/2222582X.2023.2169181","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/2222582X.2023.2169181","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This article responds to the diversity of opinions surrounding the reasons for Arsenius's appointment as the teacher of the future emperors Arcadius and Honorius, his life and status in the palace, and the length of his duties. By re-examining corresponding sources and expanding evidence to include the texts never before used for this purpose, this article argues that Arsenius was expected to provide the two princes with traditional paideia combined with Christian faith and offers new observations on the duration of his teaching appointment and the chronology of his life in general.","PeriodicalId":40708,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Early Christian History","volume":"13 1","pages":"1 - 23"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44901384","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Problem of Annals 15.44: On the Plinian Origin of Tacitus's Information on Christians","authors":"C. Hansen","doi":"10.1080/2222582X.2023.2173628","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/2222582X.2023.2173628","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This article contends with the multitude of suggestions that have been raised recently as to the origin of Tacitus's information on Christians and Jesus, and concludes that, contrary to much popular opinion, the theory that Tacitus's information is a reliable independent witness is likely faulty. It first discusses previous theories that have been proposed, including the hypothesis that Tacitus was reliant on Josephus, official Roman documents, etc., and finds all suppositions for Tacitus being independent of Christian tradition to be specious and reliant on faulty arguments and a lack of convincing evidence. The article presents an alternative solution which is that Tacitus was reliant on the work of his friend Pliny the Younger, both his Letter 10.96 sent to Trajan and likely also discourses he had with him, noting that Tacitus relied on Pliny's works elsewhere and the close relationship the two had, even exchanging each other's works for review and criticism. A number of verbal parallels between Tacitus's work and Pliny's letter also points in this direction. As a result, Tacitus's information on Christians and Jesus likely stemmed from Pliny, who in turn gained it from interrogations of and hearsay from Christians. This has ramifications such as that Tacitus is then not a useful source for establishing the historicity of Jesus or the historicity of the Neronian persecution, as it looks as though he melded Christian tradition with the Great Fire of Rome, which Christians make no reference to for centuries.","PeriodicalId":40708,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Early Christian History","volume":"13 1","pages":"62 - 80"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47275981","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}