Theories of Poverty in the World of the New Testament (eBook)

Cover 1
Preface 6
Table of Contents 8
Abbreviations 16
Chapter 1: Purpose and Context 18
1.1 Aims 18
1.2 Research on Poverty and the NT 20
1.2.1 Poverty ‘behind the texts’ 20
1.2.2 Poverty ‘in the texts’ 23
1.2.3 Poverty ‘in’ and ‘behind’ the NT texts: Present Priorities 24
1.3 Wider Contexts 25
1.3.1 Poverty Relief as Distinctively Christian? – Julian’s Challenge 25
1.3.2 Contemporary Issues 30
1.4 Summary 32
Chapter 2: Methodology and Concepts 34
2.1 Scope and Strategy 34
2.1.1 ‘Theories of Poverty in the New Testament World’: Scope and Limits 34
2.1.2 Survey strategy 36
2.1.3 Interpreting Parallels 37
2.1.3.1 The Significance of Parallels 37
2.1.3.2 The Question of Influence 39
2.2 Conceptualizing Poverty for the New Testament World 41
2.2.1 Delineating and Analysing Poverty 41
2.2.1.1 Absolute and Relative Poverty 43
2.2.1.2 Structural / Conjunctural and Chronic / Transient Approaches 45
2.2.1.3 The Vagueness and Multidimensionality of Poverty 46
2.2.1.4 Ancient and Modern Dimensions of Poverty 49
2.2.2 Poverty as ‘Material Deprivation’: A Working Hypothesis 50
2.2.3 Material Deprivation and the Human Telos 51
2.3 The Language of Poverty in the New Testament World 54
2.3.1 Methodological Considerations 54
2.3.2 Greek Poverty Vocabulary 55
2.3.3 Latin Poverty Vocabulary 58
2.3.4 Hebrew and Aramaic Poverty Vocabulary 59
2.3.5 ‘Religious’ and ‘Spiritual’ Appropriations of Poverty Language 62
2.3.6 The Language of Poverty: Key Outcomes 64
2.4 Summary 64
Chapter 3: Poverty in Greco-Roman Formative Tradition 66
3.1 Poverty and the Formative Tradition(s) 66
3.2 Poverty and the Gods 68
3.2.1 The Gods as the Source of Poverty 69
3.2.2 Zeus: Champion of Beggars and Strangers 71
3.3 Poverty, Fate and Chance 72
3.3.1 Fate, Chance and Poverty in Solon and Theognis 72
3.3.2 Fate, Chance and Poverty in Sophocles and Menander 74
3.3.3 Philosophical Perspectives on Unlucky Poverty 75
3.4 Poverty and Vice 77
3.4.1 Poverty and the Vices of the Poor 77
3.4.2 Poverty and the Vices of the Rich 80
3.4.3 Poverty: Progenitor of Vice and Enemy of Virtue 82
3.5 Poverty and Virtue 85
3.5.1 The Honourable ?????? and the Noble ????? 85
3.5.2 Assistance for the (Virtuous) Poor 86
3.5.3 Virtue, Strength and Blessing: The Benefits of Poverty 87
3.6 Summary 91
Chapter 4: Chance and Vice: Poverty in Plutarch 93
4.1 Plutarch, the Poor and the Greco-Roman Tradition 93
4.2 Between Atheism and Superstition: Plutarch’s Middle Way 95
4.3 Poverty and Chance in Plutarch 97
4.3.1 Poverty: A Gift of the Blessed Ones? 98
4.3.2 Plutarch and Poverty: The Roles of ???? and ????????? 99
4.3.2.1 ???? and ????????? in De audiendis poetis 99
4.3.2.2 ???? and ????????? in Quaestiones convivales 9.5 101
4.3.3 The Origins of ???? and the Origins of Poverty 103
4.4 Oppression and Impoverishment in the Sphere of ???? 106
4.5 The Solution of Poverty in Plutarchan Perspective 109
4.5.1 ‘Solutions’ to Poverty in Present Existence 109
4.5.2 The Ultimate ‘Solution’ of Poverty 111
4.6 Summary 112
Chapter 5: The Irrelevance of Poverty: Stoic and Cynic Perspectives 114
5.1 Stoics and Cynics in the World of the New Testament 114
5.2 Fated Poverty and Providential Abundance 118
5.2.1 Fate and Poverty 118
5.2.1.1 Poverty and Fate in Seneca’s De Providentia 119
5.2.1.2 Poverty and Fate in Manilius’ Astronomica 121
5.2.2 Nature’s Sufficiency 122
5.2.2.1 Sufficiency for the Poor in Musonius and Epictetus 123
5.2.2.2 Sufficiency for the Rich in Seneca 124
5.3 Living according to (Predetermined and Abundant) Nature 125
5.3.1 Expecting and Accepting Poverty: Divination and Prayer 126
5.3.1.1 Poverty and Divination 126
5.3.1.2 Poverty and Prayer 128
5.3.2 Choosing Poverty 131
5.3.2.1 Poverty as Training against Fortune in Seneca 131
5.3.2.2 The Cynic Scout 133
5.3.2.3 The Idealization of Rural Poverty in the Euboicus 135
5.3.3 Stoic responses to victims and agents of impoverishment 137
5.3.3.1 Stoic Reactions to the Poverty of Others 137
5.3.3.2 Stoic Philanthropy 138
5.3.3.3 Stoic Reactions to Agents of Impoverishment 141
5.4 Stoic Eschatology and Poverty 143
5.5 Summary 144
Chapter 6: Perspectives on Poverty in the Hebrew Bible 146
6.1 Hebrew Bible Poverty Discourse and the New Testament 146
6.1.1 Formative Traditions and Foundational Narratives 146
6.1.2 Poverty in the Hebrew Scriptures: Unity and Diversity 148
6.1.2.1 Sources for Theories of Poverty in the Hebrew Scriptures 148
6.1.2.2 Unity and Diversity in Hebrew Bible Poverty Discourse 149
6.2 The Origins of Material Deprivation 152
6.2.1 The Human Telos in the Good Creation 152
6.2.2 Poverty and Curse 154
6.2.2.1 Impoverishment and Curse in Genesis 154
6.2.2.2 Impoverishment and Curse in Deuteronomy 155
6.2.3 Poverty and Transcendent Agency in the Jewish Scriptures 157
6.2.3.1 Chance and the Hebrew Scriptures 157
6.2.3.2 Poverty and Divine Action in the Hebrew Bible: Narrative Tensions 159
6.3 Life in the Time of Poverty 160
6.3.1 Wise Living in the Time of Poverty 160
6.3.2 Poverty and Abundance in the Community of the Torah 163
6.3.3 The Defence of the Helpless Poor – Protest and Plea 165
6.3.3.1 Prophetic Protest 165
6.3.3.2 Petition and Plea 167
6.4 The Future of Poverty 170
6.5 Summary 173
Chapter 7: Poverty Discourse in Later Second Temple Judaism: Divergent Trajectories 174
7.1 Poverty Discourse at the Jewish-Hellenistic Interface 174
7.2 Sirach on Poverty: Wise Living in the Fear of the Lord 176
7.2.1 Sirach on Wise Living in the Time of Poverty 176
7.2.2 Sirach and the Hope of the Pious Poor 178
7.2.2.1 The Good End of the Pious Poor 179
7.2.2.2 The Fear of the Lord as the Essence of the Good Life 181
7.3 Eschatological Reversal for the Righteous ‘Poor’ 182
7.3.1 Eschatological Hope in the Congregation of the Poor 182
7.3.1.1 Possessions and Poverty at Qumran 183
7.3.1.2 Future Abundance for the Congregation of ‘the Poor’ 184
7.3.1.3 Apocalyptic Wisdom for the Righteous Poor 186
7.3.2 The Reward of the Righteous Poor in the Testament of Job 188
7.3.2.1 Job: A Righteous Man Impoverished 189
7.3.2.2 Endurance and Expectation in the Testament of Job 190
7.4 Philo of Alexandria on Poverty 192
7.4.1 Philo and Poverty: A Rich Man in a Vulnerable Community 192
7.4.1.1 Philo and the (Jewish) Poor 193
7.4.1.2 Impoverishment Observed: The Alexandrian Crisis 194
7.4.2 Philo and the Dignity of the Poor: Divine ??????????? in the Law 195
7.4.2.1 Divine ???????????: A Lesson from the Decalogue 196
7.4.2.2 The Poor in the Law 197
7.4.3 Analysis and Evaluation of Material Deprivation in Philo 200
7.4.3.1 Providence and Divine Goodness in Philo 200
7.4.3.2 Undesirable Experiences and the Greater Good 202
7.4.3.3 Intermediate Powers and the Origins of Evil 202
7.4.3.4 Philo and the Irrelevance of Material Deprivation 204
7.5 Summary 207
Chapter 8: Poverty in the New Testament: Origins and Resolution 209
8.1 Poverty Discourses in the New Testament World: A Review 209
8.2 Diversity and Unity in New Testament Poverty Discourse 215
8.2.1 Sources for Theories of Poverty in the New Testament 215
8.2.2 Contrast and Coherence in New Testament Poverty Discourse 216
8.2.2.1 Diversity and Unity in New Testament Theology 217
8.2.2.2 Rationale for New Testament Synthesis 219
8.2.2.3 Summary: The Status of ‘New Testament Poverty Discourse’ 222
8.3 The Roots of Poverty in the New Testament 222
8.3.1 The Perpetual Problem of Poverty 222
8.3.2 Cosmic Futility and Uncertainty in the New Testament 223
8.3.2.1 The Uncertainty of Wealth 224
8.3.2.2 The Futility of Creation 225
8.3.3 Subjection of the World to Evil Powers 227
8.3.4 Transgression and Poverty: Direct Links 228
8.3.4.1 Judgment for Neglecting the Poor: Two Parables 229
8.3.4.2 James and the Rich Oppressor 231
8.4 The Future of Poverty in the New Testament 232
8.4.1 The Great Reversal: The ‘Poor’ made Rich 232
8.4.1.1 Present and Future Reversals for the ‘Poor’ in Luke 233
8.4.1.2 Revaluing Poverty 235
8.4.2 Cosmic Transformation: The End of Poverty 236
8.4.2.1 The End of the Curse 237
8.4.2.2 New Creation and the Human Telos 237
8.4.3 The Future in the Present 240
8.4.3.1 Good News for the Poor in the Mission of Jesus 240
8.4.3.2 The Community of the Cross and the End of the Curse 242
8.5 Summary 243
Chapter 9: Responses to Poverty in the New Testament 244
9.1 New Testament Perspectives on Aid for the Poor 244
9.1.1 Giving to the Poor in the Gospels 244
9.1.2 Responding to the Poor in the Eschatological Community 247
9.1.2.1 Mutual Responsibility within Local Churches 247
9.1.2.2 Remembering the ??????: A Question of Identity 249
9.1.2.3 Motivating Charity: Imitating Christ in the Power of the Spirit 251
9.2 New Testament Perspectives on Voluntary Poverty 254
9.2.1 Contentment and Deliberate Self-Impoverishment in the Gospels 254
9.2.2 Poverty, Contentment and the Apostolic Vocation 257
9.2.2.1 Poverty and Contented Dependence 257
9.2.2.2 Poverty and Authentic Apostleship 260
9.3 Summary 261
Conclusions and Implications 264
Bibliography 268
Primary Sources 268
Biblical Texts 268
Other Ancient Jewish Texts 268
Classical Texts 269
Early Christian Texts 271
Secondary Sources 271
Dictionaries and Philological Tools 271
Monographs, Articles and Commentaries 272
Index of Ancient Sources 292
Old Testament 292
New Testament 294
Apocryphal / Deuterocanonical Books 297
Old Testament Pseudepigrapha 298
Qumran 298
Philo 299
Josephus 300
Rabbinic Texts 301
Early Christian Texts 301
Greek and Roman Authors 301
Index of Modern Authors 310
Index of Subjects 316