Bibliography
| Title: The Economic Aspect in the Words and Ministry of Jesus Type: Thesis Year: 1986 Abstract: "This dissertation argues that an economic aspect is perceptible in the Jesus tradition. This implies, on the one hand, that the historical Jesus was shaped by economic realities in his environment. Particularly important were his experiences as a rural carpenter forced by economic necessity to diversify skills and social contacts. On the other hand, Jesus was motivated, both by economic problems in his environment and by his vision of God's imminent rule, to articulate through his ministry alternate economic values and to encourage new economic behaviors as a way of expressing the reign of God. The work begins with a general sketch of the economy of early Roman Palestine. Attention is focused in particular upon production and distribution. A historical framework for talking about economic conditions is constructed with the help of the Zenon papyri, Josephus, and rabbinic material. Comparative evidence for agrarian conditions is developed with the help of the Roman agronomists (Cato, Varro, Columella). Modern historians of the ancient economy also inform the discussion. The task is facilitated by economic models drawn from the social sciences, particularly economic anthropology and peasant studies. Discussion is offered of quantitative measures for subsistence requirements, levels of taxation and rent, and indebtedness. A computer program is utilized to help in this work. The study proceeds to the Jesus tradition with an awareness of the difficulties inherent in talking about the historical Jesus. Canonical and extra-canonical materials are drawn upon for evidences as to how Jesus responded to the realities and problems of production and distribution in his environment. It is concluded that Jesus played the role of broker between patrons and clients in order to facilitate the general redistribution of goods.Jesus in fact emphasized the importance of intermediaries in bringing about alternative economic behavior, looked for the destruction of redistributive institutions (including the Temple) with the coming of God's reign, and advocated the practice of economic exchanges on the basis of general reciprocity--expecting nothing in return. Expectation for sustenance was to be placed in a providential God and the emergence of new kinship structures under the aegis of God's kingdom". Keywords: New Testament / Early Christianity |