Classics

Research is currently discovering the Letter to the Ephesians as an independent voice on other topics than ecclesiology that were also of interest to Paul. The contributors to this volume take this increased interest into account and discuss Deutero-Paul's Christological design, his revision of the Corpus Paulinum and the Letter to the Colossians, his early Christian interpretation of Greek philosophy and science, and his anthropological concept.

Do the Gospel of John and Stoicism, since they share significant vocabularies and terms such as Logos and Pneuma , indicate a shared understanding of God, the world, and living well? Fergus J. King compares their worldviews and ethical teachings and finds that they are significantly different in their conclusions.

David Wyman examines documentary and literary sources to compose a detailed description of civic benefaction, including the phenomenon of benefactors who risk their lives. He then analyzes how Paul's letter to the Galatians incorporates the language, motifs, and relational dynamics of benefaction.

Within the pluralistic context of Greco-Roman culture, the New Testament offers a variety of reasons to justify marriage, family, and celibacy. Matthias Becker presents these justifications in detail and relates his findings to current debates on family forms in academic theology and the church.