The podcast discusses the politics of the New Testament, including the destabilization and formation of early Jesus-communities, turning the world upside down, Paul's Roman citizenship, and the political implications of Paul's message.
Paul's proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah challenged Roman authority and was seen as a threat to the stability of Roman society.
Paul's preaching and persuasion resulted in the formation of alternative communities that clashed with the social norms of Rome and embodied the values of the Kingdom of God.
Deep dives
Paul's Message of Jesus as the Messiah
In the podcast episode, the hosts discuss how Paul's proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah had political implications. Paul preached that Jesus was the Christos, the anointed King, which directly challenged the authority of the Roman Emperor. By declaring Jesus as the true King, Paul's message was seen as a threat to the stability and order of Roman society. This led to accusations of Paul and his followers being anarchists, disrupting the social and political fabric of the cities they visited. Despite knowing the potential consequences, Paul continued to preach this message because he believed it to be the truth.
Formation of Alternative Communities
The podcast also highlights how Paul's preaching and persuasion resulted in the formation of alternative communities. These communities, referred to as ecclesias, were not derivative of Roman society, but rather generative of God's work. They embodied a way of life that challenged the imperial values of Rome. These communities cared for the poor, practiced economic redistribution, and met the needs of their members. Their existence and practices clashed with the social norms of Rome, as they created alternative spaces driven by the values of the Kingdom of God.
Paul's Roman Citizenship
Another topic discussed in the podcast is Paul's Roman citizenship. While being a devoted disciple of Jesus, Paul also utilized his Roman citizenship when it was advantageous to him. His status as a Roman citizen granted him certain privileges and protections under Roman law. He strategically employed this status at times, such as when appealing to Caesar to ensure a fair trial. However, Paul's allegiance to Jesus always took precedence over his Roman citizenship. He recognized that his calling as a disciple was to proclaim the message of the Kingdom of God, even if it conflicted with the values and demands of the Roman Empire.
The Clash between the Kingdom of God and Rome
Overall, the podcast episode highlights the clash between the Kingdom of God proclaimed by Paul and the political power of Rome. Paul's message of Jesus as the Messiah challenged the Roman Emperor's authority, leading to accusations of disrupting social order and anarchy. However, the formation of alternative communities and the embodiment of Kingdom values demonstrated the subversive nature of the early Christian movement. Paul's Roman citizenship, while occasionally used strategically, ultimately showcased the priority and allegiance to Jesus as Lord. These discussions in the podcast shed light on the political dimensions of the New Testament and the encounter between the Kingdom of God and the Roman Empire.
In this episode Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett continue their series on the politics of the New Testament (A Time To…Politick!) within which they will examine political themes, texts, and theories from Jesus of Nazareth to John of Patmos.
In particular, they discuss the destabilization and formation of the early Jesus-communities, turning the world upside down, and Paul's Roman citizenship.
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