Colossians: A Social Identity Commentary
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Description
Atsuhiro Asano argues that the author of the letter to the Colossians helps the Christ-following community in Colossae to create and celebrate a communal memory of Christ as its head, in order to contend against both the pressure of the imperial theology and its worldview, and against the rivalry teachings of the neighbouring Jewish synagogue. The believers thus develop a locus where equality is realized under the headship of Christ between ethnic and social classes, particularly focusing on the relationship between slaves and their masters.
By employing various theories of social identity, such as social memory and liminal theory, Asano explores three main issues dealt with in the letter: a rivalry worldview presented by the Emperor worship and the imperial theology, excessive and lopsided apocalyptic experiences leading to problematic conducts, and unequal and discriminatory relationships. This book is foremost a commentary to the text of the letter to the Colossians, yet it is also designed to be a social commentary to modern society, giving a vital perspective to understand and engage in various issues commonly observed in many parts of the contemporary world.
Table of Contents
Preface and Acknowledgements
List of Illustrations
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
Contours of the Letter to the Colossians
I. Who Wrote Colossians?
II. Colossae and Related Cities
III. Who Is the Lord, Christ or Caesar?
IV. How Are Slaves Treated in Colossians?
V. Who Were the Competitors of Paul?
VI. Methodologies for Interpreting Colossians
VII. Story Behind the Letter to the Colossians
VIII. The Outline and the Text
Commentary
I. Social Memory: Foundational Story of the Community (1.1-2.5)
A. Communal Memory Celebrated (1.1–12)
Topic #1: Eschatological Tension
B. Story of Christ Remembered (1.13–23)
Topic #2: Body of Christ
Topic #3: Reconciliation
C. Remembered Story Participated (2.14-2.5)
Topic #4: Conversion of Paul
Topic #5: Participation with Christ
D. Community-Identity
II. Community-Identity: Life in Christ Revealed (2.6–23)
A. Identity Transferred (2.6–15)
Topic #6: Circumcision
Topic #7: Cross
B. Identified with Christ (2.16–23)
Topic #8: Revelation / Apocalypse
C. Community-Identity
III. Liminal Community: Enactment of Christ's Memory (3.1-4.6)
A. Liminal Response to the Structure (3.1–17)
Topic #9: Baptism
B. Liminal Invasion of Structure (3.18–4.6)
C. Community-Identity
IV. Closing: Community Extended (4.7–18)
A. Greetings from Ephesus (4.7–14)
Topic #10: Hospitality
B. Instructions for the Colossians (4.15–18)
C. Community-Identity
Bibliography
Index of Authors
Index of Textual References
Product details
| Published | 13 May 2027 |
|---|---|
| Format | Hardback |
| Edition | 1st |
| Pages | 208 |
| ISBN | 9780567710901 |
| Imprint | T&T Clark |
| Dimensions | 234 x 156 mm |
| Series | T&T Clark Social Identity Commentaries on the New Testament |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
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