Social History and the New Testament

As part of the ongoing work on the New Testament of the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas this seminar is devoted to the social-historical dimensions of Early Christianity.

The Agenda of the Seminar

During the past decades the question of Social History has been intensively treated both in ancient historical studies as well as in the field of New Testament research. Especially our knowledge about communities, institutions and social structures in Antiquity has been expanded and deepened and it seems to be a fruitful endeavor to introduce the latest insights into the study of the New Testament and the history of Early Christianity.

The proponents of this seminar think that this topic will especially attract members or guests who are interested in the historical reconstruction of early Christian life, both in the communities and outside, in Israel and the Diaspora. This includes subjects such as the impact of social stratification, the role of families and associations, the search for status and honor, economical questions and so on. But it is not only historical reconstruction, which will benefit from this seminar, social history, institutions etc have implications for how we understand theology itself, its development, ideas, and structures.

The Programm of the Seminar

Topic for 2012 (Leuven, Belgium): Ancient Economy and Early Christianity

Willy Clarysse (Leuven): The Jewish Tax in Ancient Egypt

Response: Markus Öhler (Vienna)

Phil Harland (Toronto): Associations and the Economics of Group-Life

Response: Dietrich-Alex Koch (Münster)

Roland Deines (Nottingham): Money Matters: The Gospel of Matthew and the Letter of James

Response: Matthias Konradt (Heidelberg)

Coming topics:

• 2013 (Perth): Ethnic Identity

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Previous Papers

Previous Papers

The Leaders of the Seminar

For any questions or proposals for the seminar please contact one of the leaders.

Prof. Dr. Hermut Löhr University of Muenster, Prot.-Theol. Faculty Homepage hermut.loehr@uni-muenster.de
Prof. Dr. Markus Öhler University of Vienna, Prot.-Theol. Faculty Homepage markus.oehler@univie.ac.at
Prof. Dr. Anders Runesson McMaster University, Hamilton (Canada) Homepage runess@mcmaster.ca