The New Testament, Jesus, and the Enigma of Paul
The New Testament, Jesus, and the Enigma of Paul
Scriptural Background for Patristic Positions
This chapter examines New Testament positions on slavery and poverty. Galatians 3:28 argues against the social, gender, and ethnic inferiority theorized by Aristotle. Paul may have embraced the Stoicizing view of slavery as ‘morally indifferent’. Philemon and its interpretations are examined. 1 Corinthians 7:24 may exhort slaves to take advantage either of the opportunity of being emancipated, or of their servile condition. The evolution of prescriptions to slaves and masters in the ‘disputed Paulines’ and to slaves in the ‘Pastorals’ and 1 Peter, is highlighted. These reflect a trend to preserve slavery and women’s submission. Jesus’s teaching about service, about the poor as blessed, and against wealth discourage slave ownership and accumulation of wealth. Revelation is critical of human trafficking; the Gospel of Thomas reflects Jesus’s sayings against wealth. Acts’ description of the Jesus movement as sharing all goods is shown to converge with Lucian’s depiction of second-century Christian communities.
Keywords: New Testament positions on slavery and poverty, Jesus, Paul, slavery as ‘morally indifferent’, ‘disputed Paulines’ and ‘Pastorals’, 1 Peter, Revelation, Gospel of Thomas, Acts, Lucian
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