Toward a postcolonial reading of the Epistle of James : James 2:1-13 in its Roman imperial context / by Ingeborg Mongstad-Kvammen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mongstad-Kvammen, Ingeborg.

Series:

Biblical Interpretation Series 119.

Biblical interpretation series, 0928-0731 ; volume 119

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Religion--History.

Religion.

Bible. James, II, 1-13--Postcolonial criticism.

Bible.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (270 pages)

Place of Publication:

Boston : Brill, 2013.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Toward a Postcolonial Reading of the Epistle of James offers an interpretation of Jas 2:1-13 putting the text in the midst of the Roman imperial system of rank. This study shows that the conflict of the text has more to do with differences of rank than poverty and wealth. The main problem is that the Christian assemblies are acting according to Roman cultural etiquette instead of their Jewish-Christian heritage when a Roman equestrian and a beggar visit the assembly. The members of the assemblies are accused of having become too Roman. From a postcolonial perspective, this is a typical case of hybrid identities. Additional key concepts from postcolonialism, such as diaspora, ‘othering’, naming of oppressors, and binarisms such as coloniser/colonised, centre/margin, honour/shame and power/powerless, are highlighted throughout the study.

Contents:

Preliminary Material

Introduction

1. The Epistle of James—Preliminary Considerations

2. Situating the Present Investigation within Recent Jamesian Research

3. Social and Cultural Texture: A Short Overview of Roman Political History and Markers of Social Affiliation

4. Exegesis of James 2:1–13

5. Ideological Texture: Toward a Postcolonial Reading on James 2:1–13

6. Conclusions

Bibliography

Index of Modern Authors

Index of Subjects and Names

Index of Ancient Sources.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9789004251878 (eisbn)

9789004251861

9004251863

90-04-25187-1 (eisbn)

OCLC:

849248189

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789004251878 DOI