Men and women in the household of God : : a contextual approach to roles and ministries in the pastoral epistles / / Korinna Zamfir.

• Author: Zamfir, Korinna.
• Year of Publication: 2013
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: Novum Testamentum et Orbis Antiquus/Studien zur Umwelt des Neuen Testaments (NTOA/StUNT) - Band 103
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (497 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

Korinna Zamfir explores the manner in which the Pastoral Epistles redefine roles and ministries within a changed ecclesiological framework (the ekkl?sia as oikos Theou). The contextual investigation focuses on the cultural and social background of the station codes and church orders. Applying the environ­mental approach advanced by Abraham MalherbeZamfir discusses the Pastoral Epistles as writings intimately linked to their Greco-Roman social and cultural environment. The volume addresses the mentalities reflected in moral philosophies, political theories, drama and epigraphy, focusing on the discourse articulated in these sources. Exploring the adoption of conservative mentalities, the monograph advances a reading of the Pastoral Epistles based on ideology critique. It also incorporates insights gained from research on the social world of earliest Christianity, in particular on private associations.Korinna Zamfir argues that the ecclesiology of the Pastoral Epistles presupposes the metaphorical use of oikos Theou and shows that in Greco-Roman antiquity oikos denotes larger social entities like the religious association, the polisand the cosmos. The ekkl?sia is the oikos and polis of God. As a consequence the Pastoral Epistles define roles and ministries based on the public-private divide and on honor and shame mentality. The theo-logical and cosmic dimension of the »household of God«explains the essentialist understanding of social and ecclesial roles. The author also tackles the contrast between discourse and ecclesial reality.

Table of Contents

Cover; Title Page; Copyright; Acknowledgments; Table of Contents; Body; 1. Placing the discussion on roles and ministries; 1.1 Placing the Pastoral Epistles; 1.1.1 Writings that claim the authority of Paul; 1.1.2 A Pastoral corpus; 1.1.3 Connections with other Pauline traditions. Struggle for the Pauline legacy; 1.1.4 Good Christian citizenship, or public versus hidden transcript; 1.2 The ideological thrust of the Pastoral Epistles; 1.2.1 Implementing ideology in the Pastoral Epistles; 1.2.2 Controlling religion and vilifying the dissenters; 1.2.3 Summary

1.3 The social background of the Pastoral Epistles1.3.1 The status of Christians in Roman society. Socioeconomic status in the Pastorals; 1.3.2 The ekklēsia - a religious association?; 1.3.3 Summary; 1.4 Conclusion; 2. The ekklēsia as oikos and polis of God; 2.1 From "body of Christ" to "household of God"; 2.2 Reasons for construing an oikos-ecclesiology; 2.3 Ekklēsia as oikos Theou - a public, sacred and cosmic space. The interrelation between oikos, polis and cosmos; 2.3.1 Ekklēsia and oikos Theou. The oikos as metaphor for the religious, political and cosmic community

2.3.2 The interrelation between oikos, polis and cosmos2.3.3 Summary; 2.4 Further implications of the oikos-ecclesiology. The division of spaces and roles; 2.4.1 Division of spaces in drama; 2.4.2 The roots of the division of spaces and roles: physis and divine will; 2.4.3 Summary; 2.5 Honourable behaviour in the household of God; 2.5.1 Introductory considerations; 2.5.2 Αιδ̓ως́ σωφροσυν́η and their gender-specific features; 2.5.3 Concern with honourable behaviour and public opinion in the Pastoral Epistles; 2.5.4 Τιμη ́in the Pastorals and its background

2.5.5 The honour of holding offices. The virtues of the leaders2.5.6 Desisting shame. Solidarity between φιλ́οι; 2.5.7 Summary; 2.6 Expectations concerning women; 2.6.1 Hidden body, speech and senses; 2.6.2 Submission and social inconspicuousness; 2.6.3 Summary; 2.7 Attitudes toward authority in the household of God; 2.7.1 Preference for strong community government; 2.7.2 Masters and slaves in the household of God; 2.7.3 Attitudes toward the polis. Respect for civil authorities; 2.8 Attitudes toward wealth and the wealthy; 2.9 Conclusion; 3. The authority to teach in the Pastoral Epistles

3.1 Teaching and legitimate authority in the οικ̔͂ος Θεου3͂.2 Orthodoxy and heterodoxy in the Pastoral Epistles; 3.2.1 Falsely called gnosis; 3.2.2 Myths and genealogies; 3.2.3 Asceticism; 3.2.4 Assessment of the Gnostic theory; 3.2.5 Jewish features; 3.2.6 Summary; 3.3 Women and heresy?; 3.3.1 (Old) women spreading heresy?; 3.3.2 Idle or heretical widows?; Excursus. Women's evil influence (on women); 3.3.3 Blaming heretical female disciples or discrediting male teachers?; Excursus. Problems with learning and educated women; 3.3.4 Summary; 3.4 Gender, authority and public speech

3.4.1 The censure of female authority