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THE POLITICS OF EPHESIANS AND THE EMPIRE: ACCOMMODATION OR RESISTANCE?

The article examines the political language used by apostle Paul in the book of Ephesians. In contrary to the conception that the text reflects Paul's conformation to the structures and values of the Roman Empire, it argues that the book of Ephesians shows various signs of counter-imperial resistanc...

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Published in:Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity & Judaism Vol. 7; pp. 112 - 137
Main Authors: Gupta, Nijay K., Long, Fredrick J.
Format: Article
Published: McMaster Divinity College 2010
Subjects:
Bible. Ephesians
Politics in the Bible
Paul, the Apostle, Saint
Imperialism
Church
Jesus Christ
Political doctrines
Social values
Rome
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
Summary:The article examines the political language used by apostle Paul in the book of Ephesians. In contrary to the conception that the text reflects Paul's conformation to the structures and values of the Roman Empire, it argues that the book of Ephesians shows various signs of counter-imperial resistance by promoting the creation of an alternative political identity in the church assembly that focuses on Jesus Christ as the only Lord. Moreover, it contends that Ephesians criticizes the Roman imperial ideology as well as the predominant social values.