Empire in the New Testament

Synopsis:
How does a Christian render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's? This book is the result of the Bingham Colloquium of 2007 that brought scholars from across North America to examine the New Testament's response to the empires of God and Caesar. Two chapters lay the foundation for that response in the Old Testament's concept of empire, and six others address the response to the notion of empire, both human and divine, in the various authors of the New Testament. A final chapter investigates how the church fathers regarded the matter. The essays display various methods and positions; together, however, they offer a representative sample of the current state of study of the notion of empire in the New Testament.

Endorsements:

"Empire in the New Testament is a thought-provoking exploration into the current state of research for this important topic. Porter and Westfall gather together a diverse representation of methods and positions with regard to understanding the relationship of empire to the New Testament. This is an indispensible volume for those studying the content and context of the New Testament. It provides new interpretive insights that will enlighten both the general reader and the university student."
--J. Brian Tucker
Moody Theological Seminary

"Not only has the question of empire earned increasing attention in biblical studies, it poses a demanding challenge for Christians in North America and Europe. Each of these essays presents a significant contribution to the biblical studies conversation as well as food for thought for contemporary believers. This book is suitable for introductory and elective Bible courses, for pastors and interest laypersons, and for a variety of church settings.
--Greg Carey
Lancaster Theological Seminary

"These essays further establish the relevance of 'empire-critical' interpretations of the New Testament, providing new insights and pointing toward the possibility of a coherent New Testament biblical theology explicitly engaged with empire."
--Neil Elliott
United Theological Seminary

Editor Biographies:
Stanley E. Porter is President and Dean, and Professor of New Testament, at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He has published extensively in the area of New Testament and Greek language and linguistics, including New Testament Greek Papyri and Parchments (with Wendy Porter; 2008).

Cynthia Long Westfall is Assistant Professor of New Testament at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She is the author of A Discourse Analysis of Hebrews (2006).