Seek the Welfare of the City: Christians as Benefactors and Citizens

by Bruce W. Winter

In attempting to understand the role of early Christians in the Graeco-Roman world, New Testament scholars have not sufficiently appreciated the significance of the expansive term politeia, minimizing our understanding of the function of Christians in the public place. In this first volume of a series titled First-Century Christians in the Graeco-Roman World, Winter maps out the role and obligations of the early Christians as benefactors and citizens in their society. Drawing on important ancient literary and nonliterary sources, he explores the complexities of the positive commitments made by early Christians in Gentile regions of the Roman Empire.

Genres: Theology, Church History, History, Religion, Christianity

254 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 1994

About the author

Originally from Toowoomba, Bruce and his wife Lyn lived in Cambridge for over 20 years, where Bruce was the Warden of Tyndale House, a leading centre for evangelical biblical scholarship. Bruce previously lectured in New Testament at Moore Theological College and in Singapore. He is a widely respected authority on the historical background to the New Testament, having published many works in this area as well as on Paul’s letters to the Corinthians.

Reviews

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book! Although a bit technical in places, Winter shows how the New Testament subverts many traditional practices of Greco-Roman civilization. The main point is that, rather than telling Christians to disengage from the culture, Paul integrates the traditional notion of "benefaction" into a Christological and eschatalotical framework to motivate Christians to seek the welfare of the city. Good discussions of other issues like slavery as well. Very important reading in the context of current discussions about "Christian nationalism" and how conservative Christians should engage with our culture.

[Радостин Марчев]

Технически, но лек за четене текст с характерното за Уинтър чудесно познаване на древните източници.