Browsing by Author "Kilgore, Rodney A., 1983-"

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Sainteté, humilité, fraternité : Matthew’s social vision in a world of Greco Roman associations.
(2023-08) Kilgore, Rodney A., 1983-; Longenecker, Bruce W.
Since the emergence of social-scientific criticism within biblical studies and the field’s increasing interest in social history, beginning largely in the 1970’s, scholars have increasingly recognized the value of using Greco Roman associations and their inscriptions to help reveal the social realities behind the texts of the New Testament. In particular, significant work has been done analyzing the Pauline epistles through the lens of associations and associational research. However, less work has been applied to studying the canonical Gospels in light of potentially salient associational data. This dissertation is intended to assist in filling this lacuna by analyzing the Gospel of Matthew’s social vision in light of those social visions presented within the diversity (and sometimes unity) of associational texts. Specifically, this study analyzes three social motifs germane to both Matthew’s Gospel and associational texts: 1) honor, status, and hierarchy; 2) experience and interaction with the divine; and 3) behavioral expectations. In studying these motifs, the dissertation brings to light points of similarity and difference, noting the various ways in which Matthew’s Gospel may have challenged, comforted, repelled, attracted, befuddled, resonated with or otherwise affected those of Matthew’s earliest audiences, many of whom likely came from backgrounds deeply influenced by associational life.