Masters Degrees (Old and New Testament)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Old and New Testament) by Subject "Bible. Colossians, I, 24-29 -- Criticism, interpretation, etc."

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    Mystery and maturity in Christ in imperial times (Col. 1:24-29)
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-04) Jeon, Sunmin; Punt, Jeremy; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Theology. Dept. of Old and New Testament.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: One of the important topics currently under investigation in New Testament scholarship is the attitude toward emperor worship. Previously emperor worship in the New Testament was only regarded as a political issue in terms of regime reinforcement; emperor development and early Christian development were regarded as separate areas. However, recent research indicates that emperor worship was a real religion widely accepted by the common people of the Roman Empire. If so, it is highly likely that the Colossians in Asia Minor were also influenced by emperor worship. In this imperial context, the influence of the empire worship cannot be ignored, even if the letter to the Colossians was not a message directly opposing emperor worship and Roman ideology. Making use of a socio-rhetorical approach, the study strives to determine whether there is an imperial theology in Colossians. Focusing on Colossians 1:24-29 in particular, this paper explores the terms Christ, mystery, maturity, and the social background of the time – emperor worship and Roman ideology. The terms Christ, mystery, and maturity are firmly rooted in the Jewish heritage and are used to reveal the identity of believers in union with Christ. At the same time, these terms explore the tensions the empire exhibited. In conclusion, Colossians presents an anti-imperialist theology, firmly rooted in the Jewish heritage in the reality of imperial life. Paul was conscious of the reality of the empire when he delivered a message to the Colossians, reflecting the Christians’ identity in their actual common life.