Society and Politics in the Acts of the Apostles

Following his seminal analysis of Luke, Jesus, Politics and Society: A Study of Luke's Gospel, Richard J. Cassidy explicates the startling social and political contents of the Acts of the Apostles. Treating themes of fundamental importance to the life of the church today, Society and Politics in the Acts of the Apostles will be required reading for any serious student of the New Testament.

""Of special interest is the discussion of Paul's relation to the Roman Empire . . . There was an element in [Paul's] preaching and activity that did present a threat to Roman society.""
--F. F. Bruce, Emeritus Professor of Biblical Criticism and Exegesis, University of Manchester

""Father Cassidy offers a masterly analysis of Acts in beautifully intelligible language. It culminates in the refusal to accept either of two popular characterizations of the book.""
--David Daube, Emeritus Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley

""This work completes with distinction the previous work of Cassidy on Luke . . . [It] should receive the attention of both interpreters of Acts and historians of Christianity's origins.""
--Jacques Dupont, OSB, Monastere Saint-Andre, Ottignies, Belgium

""Its comprehensive survey of the data and its judicious assessment of scholarly opinion make this a timely contribution to one of the burning issues of Lukan research.""
--John H. Elliott, Professor of Theology and Religious Studies, University of San Francisco

""This well-written book exemplifies interdisciplinary scholarship and represents a provocative challenge for those who seek to understand the message and the implications of Christianity today.""
--Mary Ann Getty, RSM., Assistant Professor of New Testament, Catholic University of America

""Adds a new dimension to the purpose of Acts by suggesting that Luke wanted to show Christians how to live in the Roman Empire and specifically to give them examples of how to cope with being tried before political officials.""
--I. Howard Marshall, Professor of New Testament Exegesis, University of Aberdeen

""'A challenging work in which Cassidy presents the Church in Acts as 'a community committed to an uncompromising testimony to Christ.'""
--Joseph Patbrapankal, Professor of New Testament, Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bangalore, India


Richard J. Cassidy serves as Professor of Sacred Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. His most recent books are Paul in Chains: Roman Imprisonment and the Letters of Paul and Four Times Peter: Portrayals of Peter in the Four Gospels and at Philippi. He is currently completing a commentary on St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians.