Future Resurrection of the Dead in Early Judaism: Social Dynamics, Contested Evidence

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 394-421
Author(s):  
C.D. Elledge
Keyword(s):  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Religious Movements ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
Early Judaism ◽  
The Social ◽  
Resurrection Of The Dead ◽  
The Dead ◽  
Social Scientific ◽  
Epigraphic Evidence ◽  
Sociological Studies

In its significance to both Jewish and Christian studies, resurrection of the dead remains a vital subject of biblical research; and it is now widely recognized that the religious culture of early Judaism (ca. 200 BCE—CE 200) played a crucial role in both its origination and early reception. In the present landscape of study, perhaps the most recent methodological advances arise from sociological studies, which attempt to contextualize resurrection within the social dynamics of the religious movements that advanced this hope. Moreover, at the exegetical level, many vexing pieces of evidence have produced conflicting readings of precisely what individual traditions may say about resurrection. The present article treats these topics, including (1) the application of social-scientific methods to the study of resurrection, and (2) readings of contested literary and epigraphic evidence that remains crucial to the scholarly study of the resurrection hope in early Jewish culture.

scholarly journals God’s patronage constitutes a community of compassionate equals

2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gert J. Malan
Keyword(s):  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Faith Communities ◽  
Power Dynamics ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
Community Of Faith ◽  
Christian Communities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Large Sector ◽  
Social Scientific ◽  
Symbolic Universe

The central themes of Jesus’ preaching, the kingdom and household of God, are root metaphors expressing the symbolic universe of God’s patronage subverting patronage and patriarchy structuring contemporary Mediterranean society, thus legitimising an anti-hierarchical community of faith. This dominant focus of Jesus’ message was discarded, as society’s prevalent patronage and patriarchy became the societal structure of the later faith communities. Today, patronage and patriarchy still forms the social structure for a large sector of Christian communities and many cultures, resulting in inequality, injustice, exploitation and suffering. This article proposes that the only remedy for the faithful is a return to Jesus’ essential message, by investigating the social dynamics suggested by these root metaphors using metaphor theory and social scientific methods. Patronage is studied within contemporary Roman and Mediterranean aristocratic patriarchal society, forming an a-typical broad-based needle-like power pyramid with multiple similarly structured power pyramids within, based on a morality of indebtedness, honour and power. Jesus accepted God as his father and declared the advent of God’s patronage as king (kingdom of God) and father of the faithful (children of God). Within the kingdom and household of God, there was no hierarchy, except for the primate of the first born son, whom Jesus symbolises as broker for God’s patronage to all his followers. Within the faith communities there should be no hierarchy or any form of clientage other than God’s patronage. Rather, the faithful are equal and should serve each other and their communities with compassion, responsibility and justice.Contribution: The contribution of this research is its focus on similarity and dissimilarity of these patronage metaphors and their application to subvert the power dynamics of patronage and patriarchy within the community of the faithful, in order to proffer God’s patronage of a society of caring, selfless equals today. This research falls within the scope of HTS Theological studies, as it is a multi-disciplinary study of key biblical metaphors investigated with accepted methodology resulting in valid conclusions which are ethically sound.

scholarly journals Armoedekultuur: Die leefwereld van die Nuwe Testament en die situasie in Suid-Afrika vandag

1996 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andries Van Aarde
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Testament ◽  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Culture Of Poverty ◽  
Economic Statistics ◽  
The Social ◽  
The World ◽  
The New Testament ◽  
Social Scientific

Culture of poverty: The world of the New Testament then and the situation in South Africa today. In this article poverty in the world of the New Testament is explained in the  light of the social dynamics of the first century Eastern Mediterranean. The focus is on the sub-culture of the disreputable poor. Features of a culture of poverty are reflected upon from a social-scientific perspective in order to try to understand why poverty is intensifying in South Africa today. The article aims at identifying guidelines for Christians in using the New Testament in a profound way to challenge the threat of poverty. The following aspects are discussed: the underdevelopment of third-world societies over against the technical evolution in first-world societies during the past two hundred years, economic statistics with regard to productivity and unemployment in South Africa, the social identity of the disreputable poor, poverty within the pre-print culture of the biblical period, and the church as the household of God where Christians should have compassion for others.

scholarly journals When patrons are patrons: A social-scientific and realistic reading of the parable of the Feast (Lk 14:16b–23)

2013 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest Van Eck
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Realistic Interpretation ◽  
Industrial City ◽  
Social Game ◽  
The Social ◽  
Mediterranean World ◽  
The World ◽  
Social Scientific

This article presents a social-scientific and realistic interpretation of the parable of the Feast. The characteristics of a pre-industrial city are used to determine the realism of the parable. The social-scientific interpretation of the parable considers meals as ceremonies. The cultural values embedded in meals, namely honour and shame, patronage, reciprocity and purity, receive attention. The social dynamics of invitations in the 1st-century Mediterranean world is used as a lens to understand the invitations as an honour challenge, and the social game of gossip is used to obtain an understanding of the excuses in the parable. The conclusion reached is that the parable turns the world in which it is told upside down. As such, the parable has something to say about the injustices that are a part of the society we live in.

Children in New Religions

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-206
Author(s):  
Amanda Van Eck Duymaer van Twist
Keyword(s):  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Religious Movements ◽  
New Religious Movements ◽  
New Religions ◽  
The Social

New religious movements (NRMs) often have a marginal position in society, for a variety of reasons. This is generally accepted within diverse democracies as long as the groups consist of law-abiding consenting adults. But once children are involved the social dynamics are likely to change as a result of contested duties of care. Parents have a right to raise their children within their religion, while state authorities have a responsibility towards minors within their jurisdiction. This article highlights some of the main concerns about children in NRMs, focusing on teachings and practices relating to health and education within movements that chose relative seclusion.

scholarly journals Social-scientific criticism: Perspective, process and payoff. Evil eye accusation at Galatia as illustration of the method

2011 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. Elliott
Keyword(s):  
New Testament ◽  
Social Dynamics ◽  
Biblical Text ◽  
Evil Eye ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Scientific

This article explores a presentation of the method, emergence and contribution of social-scientific criticism (SSC) as an inter-disciplinary operation of New Testament exegesis. A description of ancient evil eye belief and practice and its appearance in Paul’s letter to the Galatians illustrates how the method contributes to a more accurate translation of the biblical text, a clarification of its logic and a fuller understanding of the social dynamics involving Paul and his opponents.

scholarly journals DOGMATIC SENSES OF ST. GEORGIY (KONYS’KYJ’S) DRAMA “RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD PEOPLE”

2021 ◽  
pp. 79-95
Author(s):  
A. Tsarenok
Keyword(s):  
18Th Century ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Scientific Methods ◽  
Research Results ◽  
Holy Trinity ◽  
Resurrection Of The Dead ◽  
General Scientific ◽  
The Dead ◽  
Atoning Sacrifice

Analyzing the old Ukrainian didactic drama “Ressurection of the dead people”, written in the middle of the 18th century by Kyiv-Mohyla Academy professor Georgiy (Konys’kyj), scientists very often pay attention to its expressive social and ethical dimension. At the same time, this well-known monument of literature must be regarded as a work, which possesses remarkable dogmatic senses as well. The aim and the tasks. The aim of the article is exploring of the connection of the drama “Ressurection of the dead people” text with sphere of the Orthodox dogmatic theology. It`s necessary to mention such tasks of the study as pointing out the different dogmatic senses of the drama and making analysis of them. Research methods. Exploring the text of the didactic drama by Georgiy (Konys’kyj), the author of the article uses 1) the cultural and contextual method, 2) the method of psychology of artistic creation and such general scientific methods as 3) the comparative method, 4) the method of systematization and 5) the method of generalization. Research results. As one can understand easily after acquaintance with the name of the drama, its central dogmatic ideas are naturally connected with the Christian eschatology: Georgiy (Konys’kyj) preaches the future resurrection of all dead people and reminds both his contemporaries and future generations of the Final Judgment. Moreover, we find the manifestation of author’s strong belief in the Holy Trinity, in the Divine and the Human Natures of Christ, in the majesty and the great role of the Atoning Sacrifice, in the immortality of human souls, in the Providence, etc. in the text. Conclusion. The text of Georgiy (Konys’kyj`s) didactic drama “Ressurection of the dead people” is regularly influenced by the important constituents of the Orthodox dogmatic doctrine (eschatology, Triadology, Christology, etc.). Taking into consideration the research results helps us to get better understanding of philosophical and theological views of such a famous hierarch as saint Georgiy (Konys’kyj) and to overcome some wrong interpretations of his works.

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