Conflict And Community In Corinth

This unprecedented commentary applies an exegetical method informed by both sociological insight and rhetorical analysis to the study of 1 and 2 Corinthians. In addition to using traditional exegetical and historical methods, this unique study also analyzes the two letters of Paul in terms of Greco-Roman rhetoric and ancient social conditions and customs to shed fresh light on the context and content of Paul's message. Includes 21 black-and-white photos and illustrations.

A new examination of a classic Christian text begins with the Greek text of the Corinthians and outlines the most important theological, ethical, and socio-historical issues surrounding this seminal book.

Servant Leadership addresses a fundamental concern of the contemporary church by asking pertinent questions of the New Testament: Who became a leader in the Jesus movement and in Pauline Christianity? What was the social status of these leaders in the outside world as compared to the importance of such social status within the faith community? What practices characterized their leadership within the communities they served? The book explores models of leadership in the New Testament s two prime exemplars, Jesus and Paul, and in their respective communities of faith. It studies both Paul s statements and actions with regard to leadership issues with specific church communities, using Thessalonians, the Corinthians, the Galatians, and the Philippians correspondence as case studies in the practice of leadership. It concludes with a discussion of leadership challenges in the modern church and how a Pauline or Deutero-Pauline model can work for us today. The author shows how understanding one s followers, as well as the goals and purposes of the group one leads, is a fundamental function of leadership today, even in the corporate world. Similarly, although we expect Christian leadership to be confrontational and assertive at times, it must also be open to creating opportunities for others to exercise their gifts and, therefore, their leadership. Good leaders move others to respond to their own personal calls and commitments.

2 Corinthians is part of The Christian Standard Commentary (CSC) series. This commentary series focuses on the theological and exegetical concerns of each biblical book, while paying careful attention to balancing rigorous scholarship with practical application. This series helps the reader understand each biblical book's theology, its place in the broader narrative of Scripture, and its importance for the church today. Drawing on the wisdom and skills of dozens of evangelical authors, the CSC is a tool for enhancing and supporting the life of the church.

This volume has 1 and 2 Corinthians as its main focus where the various contributors address significant aspects of text, language, background, theology and exegesis. The first part of the volume deals with the issues of textual criticism and traditions available to Paul, while the second section is interdisciplinary in nature and integrates different methodologies such as social-scientific and rhetorical criticism in order to provide new insights into the text. The third and longest section addresses the varied theological problems which the community raised with Paul, including sexual matters, the timing of the resurrection the resurrection body, authority and headship, soteriology, and the question of Paul's faithfulness and integrity. The final section concentrates on the identity of Paul's opponents, his visions and apologetics.

Rich in content and meaning, Paul's letter to the Corinthians is an important element in the study of the social and theological issues of early Christian teachings. This new work outlines how the letter to Corinthians underscores the role of Pauline Christianity in shaping relationships within the Christian congregation and provides a unique picture of a new growing church in a Greco-Roman social environment.

First Corinthians is one of the most relevant NT documents for both younger churches seeking maturity in the majority world and older churches seeking renewal in the Western world in the twenty-first century. The reason this epistle is so relevant is that it focuses on renewing the church through believing and living out the good news that because of Jesus’s death and resurrection God has begun his new creation agenda amid the broken world of today. This is not just another commentary (there are many very good ones) but rather we present a biblical theology of church renewal, based on solid exegesis, and our experience as teachers and pastors in both Africa and North America. This book will pull out the essential teaching of Paul on renewal in ten manageable principles, or “great ideas.” Church renewal is not just following certain steps but results from nurturing a culture that practices both cross power and a life of new creation hope. When churches make the shift from traditionalism to radical community and evangelical activism through a new experience of the gospel seen as both personal liberation and the transformation of all things, the church begins to move, and the world begins to change.