Article from Volume 21 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig A. Evans (The Bible Seminary, Katy, TX, USA)

'Were Samaritans Cursed in Pre-70 Jewish Synagogues? Did the People of Ephesus Thank Jesus for Casting Out Evil Spirits?—Why Research Autopsy Is Mandatory', JGRChJ 21 (2025), pp. 187-94

Article from Volume 21 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Andrew Steinmann (Concordia University Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA)

'The Twenty-Second Year of Tiberius and the Death of Herod the Great: A Reply to Raymond J. Jachowski', JGRChJ 21 (2025), pp. 177-86

Article from Volume 21 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Thomas Haviland-Pabst (One Family Ministries, Asheville, NC, USA)

'The Genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke: A Window into the Activities of the Relatives of Jesus in the Early Church', JGRChJ 21 (2025), pp. 153-76

Article from Volume 21 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Qiaoqiao Chen (Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, KY)

'A Reexamination of the Historicity of Jesus' Encounter with the Gerasene Demoniac in Mark 5.1-20', JGRChJ 21 (2025), pp. 130-52

Article from Volume 21 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Jihye Yu (Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, KY)

'Paul's Speech in Acts 26 and Socrates's Speech in Plato's Apology: Beyond Forensic Oratory', JGRChJ 21 (2025), pp. 104-129

Article from Volume 21 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Sung Min Park (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON)

'Peter’s Code Choice in the Pentecost Sermon: A Historical Sociolinguistic Approach to the Prestige Religious Language of the Jerusalem Church', JGRChJ 21 (2025), pp. 71-102

Article from Volume 21 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Reuben Y.T. Lee (Canadian Chinese School of Theology Vancouver, Richmond, BC)

'Proselytes in Late Second Temple Judea: Conversion Requirements and Ethnic, Social and Cultural Boundaries in a Judean Area', JGRChJ 21 (2025), pp. 29-70

Article from Volume 21 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig S. Keener (Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, KY)

'Salting Everyone with Fire (Mark 9.49-50): Purification, Preservation or Punishment?', JGRChJ 21 (2025), pp. 9-28

Article from Volume 20 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Mariano A. Splendido (Instituto de Investigación en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales (CONICET) Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina)

''They were Fishermen': Peter and Andrew’s Trade in the Memory and Discourse of the First Churches', JGRChJ 20 (2024), pp. 157-92

Article from Volume 20 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by David E. Malick (Independent Expositor, Birmingham, AL)

'Selected Characterization of Women in Mark: Based on an Anthropology of Gender from Pierre Bourdieu and the First Century', JGRChJ 20 (2024), pp. 119-56

Article from Volume 20 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Daniel Aaron Webster (Welch College, Gallatin, TN)

'The Father, Son and Spirit Taught in Ante-Nicene Hymns', JGRChJ 20 (2024), pp. 98-118

Article from Volume 20 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Benjamin G. Frostad ()

'Luke's Reading of Pauline Justification and Torah', JGRChJ 20 (2024), pp. 74-97

Article from Volume 20 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Zachary K. Dawson (Regent University School of Divinity, Virginia Beach, VA, USA)

'Peter's Vision in Acts 10.1–11.18, the Book of Dreams in 1 Enoch and Luke's Subversion of Jewish Purity Laws', JGRChJ 20 (2024), pp. 37-73

Article from Volume 20 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Stanley E. Porter (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'Jews, Gentiles and Salvation in Luke–Acts', JGRChJ 20 (2024), pp. 11-36

Article from Volume 19 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by John D. Doss (Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY)

'The Expansion of Associations and Christianity in the Book of Acts: A Comparative Study', JGRChJ 19 (2023), pp. 128-60

Article from Volume 19 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Kennedy K. Ekeocha (West Africa Theological Seminary, Lagos, Nigeria)

'No Longer a People-Pleaser: Narratio and Defensive Refutation in Galatians 1.10–2.21', JGRChJ 19 (2023), pp. 104-27

Article from Volume 19 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Christopher M. Hansen (Independent Scholar, Grand Blanc, MI)

'A Response to David Allen's 'A Model Reconstruction of What Josephus Would Have Realistically Written about Jesus'', JGRChJ 19 (2023), pp. 94-103

Article from Volume 19 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Robin Thompson (Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ)

'Paul's Collection and a Slave's Dilemma: Give to the Poor or Save for Freedom?', JGRChJ 19 (2023), pp. 73-93

Article from Volume 19 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Daryn Graham (Independent Scholar, Sydney, NSW, Australia)

'Trial by Ordeal: The Development of the Neronian Persecution', JGRChJ 19 (2023), pp. 40-72

Article from Volume 19 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Tyler Hallstrom (Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY)

'Stephen’s Use of χειροποίητος in Acts 7.48 and its Meaning in Jewish and Greco-Roman Literature', JGRChJ 19 (2023), pp. 9-39

Article from Volume 18 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Prince Peters (University of Nigeria)

'Ἀληθῶς Θεοῦ Υἱὸς Ἦν Οὗτος (Matthew 27.54): A Centurion’s View of Jesus through the Lens of Roman Demigods', JGRChJ 18 (2022), pp. 168-84

Article from Volume 18 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Matthew J. Korpman (Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA)

'Is It False Testimony? Studying Luke 16.1-13 as the Rehabilitation of a Rejected Parable', JGRChJ 18 (2022), pp. 144-67

Article from Volume 18 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by David Allen (UCC, Cork, Ireland)

'A Model Reconstruction of What Josephus Would Have Realistically Written about Jesus', JGRChJ 18 (2022), pp. 113-43

Article from Volume 18 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Colin A. Green (University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK)

'Paul's Letter to Philemon: Manumission ... or What?', JGRChJ 18 (2022), pp. 92-112

Article from Volume 18 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Sean du Toit (Alphacrucis College, Auckland, New Zealand)

'Ethical Lists in 1 Peter', JGRChJ 18 (2022), pp. 59-91

Article from Volume 18 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig S. Keener and Keldie Paroschi (Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY, USA)

'Sleepless Nights in a Greco-Roman Context', JGRChJ 18 (2022), pp. 37-58

Article from Volume 18 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Michael Kok (Morling College, Australian College of Theology, Bentley, WA, Australia)

'Justin Martyr and the Authorship of Luke's Gospel', JGRChJ 18 (2022), pp. 9-36

Article from Volume 17 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by John-Christian Eurell (Stockholm School of Theology, Stockholm, Sweden)

'The Saying Attributed to Jesus in Acts 20.35', JGRChJ 17 (2021), pp. 197-205

Article from Volume 17 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by David H. Wenkel (LCC International University, Klaipėda, Lithuania)

'Military Camps around Jerusalem and the Meaning of Στρατόπεδον in Luke 21.20', JGRChJ 17 (2021), pp. 181-196

Article from Volume 17 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Andrew Simmonds (White Plains, NY)

'Judas Iscariot and Joseph of Arimathea: Two Gentile Graves for Two Jewish Corpses', JGRChJ 17 (2021), pp. 147-80

Article from Volume 17 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by George P. Carras (Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA, USA)

'Jewish Sensibilities in the Lukan Paul, the Historical Paul and Josephan Judaism', JGRChJ 17 (2021), pp. 118-146

Article from Volume 17 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Lydia McGrew (Kalamazoo, MI)

'Truth, Historiography, and the Gospels’ Genre: Classical and Patristic Considerations', JGRChJ 17 (2021), pp. 88-117

Article from Volume 17 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Lydia McGrew (Kalamazoo, MI)

'Time and Narrative: Clarity and Chronology in Reading the Gospels', JGRChJ 17 (2021), pp. 62-87

Article from Volume 17 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Sanghwan Lee (Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, TX, USA)

'An Illiterate Fisherman and Impressive Letter: A Dialogue with Bart D. Ehrman', JGRChJ 17 (2021), pp. 38-61

Article from Volume 17 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Klaus Vibe (Fjellhaug International University College, Aarhus, Denmark)

'Freedom from Necessity in Philo of Alexandria's Ethical Thought', JGRChJ 17 (2021), pp. 9-37

Article from Volume 16 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig S. Keener (Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY, USA)

'Wedding Torches', JGRChJ 16 (2020), pp. 200-204

Article from Volume 16 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Sanghwan Lee (Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, TX, USA)

'Defending Multilingual Galilee from its Literary and Archaeological Objections', JGRChJ 16 (2020), pp. 183-199

Article from Volume 16 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Nathan Nadeau (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'The First Pauline Chronologist? Probably Not: A Review of Ryan Schellenberg's 'The First Pauline Chronologist' from a Bayesian Perspective', JGRChJ 16 (2020), pp. 150-182

Article from Volume 16 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Christopher M. Hansen (Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, MI, USA)

'Lord Raglan's Hero and Jesus: A Rebuttal to Methodologically Dubious Uses of the Raglan Archetype', JGRChJ 16 (2020), pp. 129-149

Article from Volume 16 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Jeffrey M. Hubbard (Yale Divinity School, New Haven, CT, USA)

'Flipped Scripts in Hermas's Erotic Dreams: A Reading of the Shepherd's Virgins in Light of Roman Oneiric Literature', JGRChJ 16 (2020), pp. 117-128

Article from Volume 16 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Stuart Squires (University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX, USA)

'Jerome's View of the Connection between the Priscillianists and Pelagians', JGRChJ 16 (2020), pp. 105-116

Article from Volume 16 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Doosuk Kim (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'Romans 14 and Impurity in the Mishnah', JGRChJ 16 (2020), pp. 79-104

Article from Volume 16 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Michael J.G. Gray-Fow (Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, WI, USA)

'Pomponia Graecina: How Could She Have Heard about Christians and What Did 'Christian' Mean?', JGRChJ 16 (2020), pp. 65-78

Article from Volume 16 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Andrew Simmonds (White Plains, NY, USA)

''His Blood on Us and on Our Children' (Mt. 27.25) is Modeled on Oedipus's Unwitting Kinship Oath to His Father in Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus', JGRChJ 16 (2020), pp. 30-64

Article from Volume 16 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Andrew R. Talbert (Caldwell Academy, Greensboro, NC, USA)

'The Synonymous Rendering of Aristotelian φιλέω with ἀγαπάω in the Gospel of John', JGRChJ 16 (2020), pp. 9-29

Article from Volume 15 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Andrew R. Krause (ACTS Seminaries of Trinity Western University, Langley, BC, Canada)

'(Ritually) Slaying the Dragon: Apocalyptic Justification of Historical Violence in Psalms of Solomon 2', JGRChJ 15 (2019), pp. 173-94

Article from Volume 15 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Michael T. Miller and Mariano Troiano (Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg, Germany; Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina)

'The Name of God and the Name of the Messiah: Jewish and Christian Parallels in Late Antiquity', JGRChJ 15 (2019), pp. 148-72

Article from Volume 15 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Bart B. Bruehler (Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN, USA)

'The Rhetorical Force of Early Christian Writings: Definition, Dynamics and Discourses about Mary', JGRChJ 15 (2019), pp. 116-47

Article from Volume 15 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Peter Reynolds (Southwestern Assemblies of God University, Waxahachie, TX, USA)

'Room in the Boat: Luke 5:1-11 and the Symbol of the Boat', JGRChJ 15 (2019), pp. 77-115

Article from Volume 15 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Jason J. Ripley (St Olaf College, Northfield, MN, USA)

'Glorious Death, Imperial Rome and the Gospel of John', JGRChJ 15 (2019), pp. 31-76

Article from Volume 15 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Adam Z. Wright (College of Emmanuel and St. Chad, Saskatoon, SK, Canada)

'A Challenge to Literary Dependency: Deficiencies in Memory to Explain Differences in Oral Tradition', JGRChJ 15 (2019), pp. 9-30

Article from Volume 14 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Raimondo Bacchisio Motzo (Translated by Tommaso Leoni) (York University, Toronto, ON, Canada)

'The Authenticity of the Roman Documents Contained in Josephus's Antiquities', JGRChJ 14 (2018), pp. 219-223

Article from Volume 14 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Raimondo Bacchisio Motzo (Translated by Tommaso Leoni) (York University, Toronto, ON, Canada)

'The Two Editions of Josephus's Life', JGRChJ 14 (2018), pp. 207-218

Article from Volume 14 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Stanley E. Porter (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'Two Translated Articles on Josephus', JGRChJ 14 (2018), pp. 204-206

Article from Volume 14 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Tamiko Isaka (Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, Japan)

'Jerome's Interpretation of the Bread in the Lord's Prayer: ἐπιούσιος and Supersubstantialis', JGRChJ 14 (2018), pp. 182-203

Article from Volume 14 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Sanghwan Lee (Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, TX, USA)

'Reexamining the Greek-Speaking Ability of Peter in Light of a Sociolinguistic Perspective', JGRChJ 14 (2018), pp. 158-181

Article from Volume 14 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Ilaria L.E. Ramelli (Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit, MI, USA)

'The Role of Allegory, Allegoresis and Metaphor in Paul and Origen', JGRChJ 14 (2018), pp. 130-157

Article from Volume 14 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Frank Shaw (Cincinnati, OH)

'Three Developments in New Testament Textual Criticism: Wettlaufer, Houghton and Jongkind(-Williams)', JGRChJ 14 (2018), pp. 89-129

Article from Volume 14 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Benjamin Marx (Instituto Superior de Teología Arequipa, Arequipa, Peru)

''Wifely Submission' and 'Husbandly Authority' in Plutarch's Moralia and the Corpus Paulinum: A Comparison', JGRChJ 14 (2018), pp. 56-88

Article from Volume 14 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Matthew Oseka (Concordia Theological Seminary, Kowloon, Hong Kong)

'Christian Patristic and Mediaeval Interpretation of the Plural Forms in Genesis 1.26, 3.5 and 3.22 Situated Against the Classic Jewish Exposition', JGRChJ 14 (2018), pp. 28–55

Article from Volume 14 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Joshua Ezra Burns (Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA)

'Why Did Romans Believe Jews Fast on the Sabbath?', JGRChJ 14 (2018), pp. 9-27

Article from Volume 13 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Adam Booth (Duke University, Durham, NC, USA)

'Long Live the King: The Fourth Gospel's Responses to Greco-Roman Suspicions Concerning Monarchy', JGRChJ 13 (2017), pp. 189-212

Article from Volume 13 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig A. Evans and Stanley E. Porter (Houston Baptist University, Houston, TX, USA and McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'A Recent Discovery in Byzantine-Era Galilee and the Problem of 'Regularized' Spelling of Koine and Byzantine Greek', JGRChJ 13 (2017), pp. 172-188

Article from Volume 13 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Karl L. Armstrong (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'The Meaning of ὑποτάσσω in Ephesians 5.21-33: A Linguistic Approach', JGRChJ 13 (2017), pp. 152-171

Article from Volume 13 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Gregory Goswell (Christ College, Sydney, Australia)

'The Early Readership of the Catholic Epistles', JGRChJ 13 (2017), pp. 129-151

Article from Volume 13 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Peter Cresswell (Devon, UK)

'Another Scribe or Another Exemplar? Examining Textual Patterns in Codex Sinaiticus Matthew and Mark', JGRChJ 13 (2017), pp. 111-128

Article from Volume 13 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Karl L. Armstrong (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'A New Plea for an Early Date of Acts', JGRChJ 13 (2017), pp. 79-110

Article from Volume 13 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig S. Keener (Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY, USA)

'Weighing T.J. Weeden’s Critique of Kenneth Bailey’s Approach to Oral Tradition in the Gospels', JGRChJ 13 (2017), pp. 41-78

Article from Volume 13 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Zachary K. Dawson (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'The Books of Acts and Jubilees in Dialogue: A Literary-Intertextual Analysis of the Noahide Laws in Acts 15 and 21', JGRChJ 13 (2017), pp. 9-40

Article from Volume 12 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Stanley E. Porter (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'The Use Of Greek In First-Century Palestine: A Diachronic And Synchronic Examination', JGRChJ 12 (2016), pp. 203-228

Article from Volume 12 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Jonathan M. Watt (Geneva College & Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA, USA )

'Semitic Language Resources of Ancient Jewish Palestine', JGRChJ 12 (2016), pp. 191-202

Article from Volume 12 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Hughson T. Ong (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'The Language of the New Testament from a Sociolinguistic Perspective', JGRChJ 12 (2016), pp. 163-190

Article from Volume 12 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by ()

'The Languages Of First-Century Palestine: An Introduction To Three Papers', JGRChJ 12 (2016), pp. 160-161

Article from Volume 12 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Preston T. Massey (Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN, USA)

'Women, Talking and Silence: 1 Corinthians 11.5 and 14.34-35 in the Light of Greco-Roman Culture', JGRChJ 12 (2016), pp. 127-160

Article from Volume 12 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Greg Stanton (University of New England, Armidale, Australia)

'Wealthier Supporters of Jesus of Nazareth', JGRChJ 12 (2016), pp. 99-126

Article from Volume 12 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Stanley E. Porter (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'The Synoptic Problem: The State of the Question', JGRChJ 12 (2016), pp. 73-98

Article from Volume 12 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by David I. Yoon (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'Ancient Letters of Recommendation and 2 Corinthians 3.1-3: A Literary Analysis', JGRChJ 12 (2016), pp. 45-72

Article from Volume 12 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Matthew Oseka (Concordia Theological Seminary, Kowloon, Hong Kong)

'Attentive to the Context: The Generic Name of God in The Classic Jewish Lexica and Grammars of the Middle Ages—A Historical and Theological Perspective', JGRChJ 12 (2016), pp. 17-44

Article from Volume 12 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Seth M. Ehorn and Mark Lee (Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL, USA)

'The Syntactical Function of ἀλλὰ καί in Phil. 2.4', JGRChJ 12 (2016), pp. 9-16

Article from Volume 11 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Christopher B. Zeichmann (Emmanuel College at the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada)

'Herodian Kings and their Soldiers in the Acts of the Apostles: A Response to Craig Keener', JGRChJ 11 (2015), pp. 178-190

In a recent JGRChJ article (vol. 10.1, 2014), Craig Keener addresses the neglected topic of the military in early Christian literature, attempting to rehabilitate the historicity of the centurion Cornelius story (Acts 10.1–11.18). The present article responds to Keener and suggests that there is still reason to doubt the historicity of the stories in Acts with regard to military matters. This article focuses upon a different military unit in Acts—the ‘Augustan cohort’ (27.1). It argues that Acts does not refer to any known military unit, but simply chooses a name suitable for the author’s theological interests.

Article from Volume 11 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Ryder Wishart (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'Paul and the Law: Mark Nanos, Brian Rosner and the Common-Law Tradition', JGRChJ 11 (2015), pp. 153-177

This paper examines recent input by both Mark Nanos and Brian Rosner on the issue of Paul and the law. It highlights what it believes to be two crucial, but mutually exclusive, insights from each of the two positions. Nanos’s input is that Paul positively approves of the law because he did not find anything inherently wrong with either Judaism or the Jewish way of life, including Torah observance. Rosner’s input is that Paul’s negative assessment of the law is related to legalism. Because these positions are entrenched due to divergent views on Judaism, this study advances the conversation in the debate by offering an insight from contemporary legal theory that makes it possible to bring together the best insights of Rosner and Nanos on this issue. It outlines the difference between statutory and common-law legal systems, with reference to a study by Joshua Berman. It also demonstrates the impact of a common-law view on Pauline paraenesis on Christian ethics.

Article from Volume 11 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Woojin Chung (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'The Use of the Old Testament and the Synoptic Problem: An Analysis of Francis Watson's 'L/M Theory' as a Test Case', JGRChJ 11 (2015), pp. 131-152

Analysis of the use of the Old Testament in the Synoptic Gospels helps one examine the proposed theories of the Synoptic Problem. The method of investigating the scriptural quotations and allusions in the Gospels is similar to that of the Synoptic Problem in that it naturally turns one’s attention to earlier sources and traditions and their connection with the Gospel texts. In this article, Francis Watson’s ‘L/M Theory’ is evaluated through the examination of Matthew’s and Luke’s uses of the Old Testament, and it is argued that Watson’s suggestion is unconvincing and undermines the significance of the distinctive exegetical features and literary strategies of the two infancy narratives.

Article from Volume 11 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Sunny Chen (Pilgrim Theological College, The University of Divinity, Melbourne, Australia)

'The Distributive Singular In Paul: The Adequacy Of A Grammatical Category', JGRChJ 11 (2015), pp. 104-30

The adequacy of the grammatical category ‘the distributive singular’ in Paul’s authentic letters has not been properly explored in previous scholarship. Many scholars ignore or provide limited analysis of a particular construct in which a singular noun is combined with a plural possessive pronoun. For those who attempt to explain this abnormal combination, the noun is usually interpreted as a distributive singular noun. This study demonstrates that this combination can be explained by other grammatical categories instead of the distributive singular. Specific focus is placed on Paul’s anthropological terms in this construct, showing that some terms illustrate the corporate and social dimensions of a community.

Article from Volume 11 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Jonathan Numada (Northwest Baptist Seminary at ACTS Seminaries, Langley, BC, Canada)

'Aristeas and Social Identity: Creating Similarity from Continued Difference', JGRChJ 11 (2015), pp. 82-103

This article utilizes Social Identity Theory and Social Memory Theory in an attempt to further describe the nature and character of the Letter of Aristeas’s strategy for engaging its Alexandrian Diaspora cultural setting. It argues that Aristeas is best understood as an attempt to chart a middle course between maintaining a distinct Jewish identity on the one hand, and total assimilation to Hellenistic culture on the other, by advocating participation and integration. Aristeas’s treatment of social categorizations, collective memory and appropriation of Alexandrian institutions and civic symbols in the translation narrative serve to further this agenda.

Article from Volume 11 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Preston T. Massey (Bloomington, IN, USA)

'Dress Codes at Roman Corinth and Two Hellenic Sites: What do the Inscriptions at Andania and Lycosura Tell Us about 1 Corinthians 11.2-16?', JGRChJ 11 (2015), pp. 51-81

This study explores the principal evidence of epigraphy in order to probe into the background of 1 Cor. 11.2-16. The particular focus of this paper is to investigate the two key inscriptions found at Andania and Lycosura. From these inscriptions, an examination is made regarding the twin issues of a married woman’s head coverings and female hairstyles. A provisional conclusion is reached that the two inscriptions may indeed throw light on why Paul can mention both the ‘veil’ (vv. 4-7, 13) and the ‘long hair’ (vv. 14-15) in 1 Corinthians. The conclusion is that the text’s inclusion of both veils and long hair is neither mutually exclusive nor contradictory. Given the cultural realities of the time, a reference to both makes logical sense and is appropriate.

Article from Volume 11 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by David J. Fuller (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'From Prophet to Waiter: Habakkuk's Cameo Appearance in the Apocryphal Additions to Daniel', JGRChJ 11 (2015), pp. 35-50

In Bel and the Dragon, Habakkuk is flown in from Judah by an angel to deliver food to Daniel in the lions’ den. This study investigates the use of the Old Testament in Bel 33-39 and the significance of this intertextuality for a firstcentury BCE Jewish audience. Bel 33-39 uses various texts from the Old Testament, resulting in a creative story that summons up an array of images relating primarily to miraculous provision, for the purpose of informing a first-century BCE Jewish audience that God was with them and that a time of restoration was forthcoming.

Article from Volume 11 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Chris S. Stevens (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'John 9.38-39a: A Scribal Interjection for Literary Reinforcement', JGRChJ 11 (2015), pp. 19-32

In the continued search for the ‘original’ text, John 9.38-39a proves to be an addition. Standard text critical practices of external and internal criteria are utilized. External evidence shows the textual absence is widespread and early. Internally, the text represents a marked break from Johannine style. Additionally, a new method of analysis is put forward using form criticism of the healing narratives in John and the Synoptics, which indicates that the text is inconsistent with other New Testament writings. John 9.38a-39 appears to be a later scribal emendation to strengthen literary features of John’s Gospel for liturgical and narratological purposes.

Article from Volume 11 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Raymond J. Jachowski (Brownback’s United Church of Christ, Spring City, PA, USA)

'The Death of Herod the Great and the Latin Josephus: Re-Examining the Twenty-Second Year of Tiberius', JGRChJ 11 (2015), pp. 9-18

It was W.E. Filmer who challenged the long-accepted date of 4 BCE interpreted by Emil Schürer for the death of Herod the Great, consequently proposing a date of 1 BCE, basing this evidence, in part, on a sixth-century Latin translation of Josephus’s Antiquities of the Jews, which placed the death of Herod’s successor, Philip the Tetrarch, ‘during the twenty-second year of Tiberius’. This is contrary to the original Greek that reads the ‘twentieth year of Tiberius’. This article re-examines the historical evidence for the ‘twenty-second year of Tiberius’ in the Latin Josephus and reaffirms the traditional date of Herod’s death in 4 BCE. It also proposes a solution to the apparent discrepancies between the years of the reign of Herod’s successors in the Jewish War and the Antiquities of the Jews and the dating of Jesus’ birth in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

Article from Volume 10 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by James M. Petitfils (Biola University, La Mirada, CA, USA)

'Martial Moses in Flavian Rome: Josephus's Antiquities 2-4 and Exemplary Roman Leadership', JGRChJ 10 (2014), pp. 194-208

This article focuses on Josephus’s narrative presentation of Moses in Ant. 2–4 in light of a popular pedagogical discourse in Flavian Rome—the Roman discourse of exemplarity. Beginning with an overview of this Roman moral conversation and a brief spotlight on the premier leadership characteristic celebrated in discourse on exemplary leadership in Flavian Rome (martial prowess), this article argues that Josephus’s presentation of Moses aligns well with both the narratological form and the characteristic moral content of Roman exemplarity. This article situates Josephus in his Roman discursive environment and offers a contextually specific explanation for his narrative presentation of a particularly martial Moses. It also highlights the permeability of ancient cultural boundaries, as well as the utility of Hellenistic and Roman discursive practices and approaches for the construction of Jewish identities.

Article from Volume 10 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Adam Z. Wright (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'Recognizing Jesus: A Study of Recognition Scenes in the Gospel of Mark', JGRChJ 10 (2014), pp. 174-93

This article examines the role of recognition scenes in Mark’s Gospel. Recognition scenes were a common feature in ancient literature and served to propel a narrative’s plot towards a definitive end. By examining the nature of recognition scenes as well as their functions within the narrative, a greater appreciation can be gained for the structure and purpose of Mark’s Gospel. What will be shown is that such recognition scenes, which revolve around the identity of Jesus, create an ironic tension that culminates in the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus.

Article from Volume 10 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Cynthia Long Westfall (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'The Meaning of αὐθεντέω in 1 Timothy 2.12', JGRChJ 10 (2014), pp. 138-73

The purpose of this article is to present an explicit methodology and procedure in the study of the word αὐθεντέω based on current suggestions and procedures in lexicography and informed by linguistic theory. This is done by an attempt to map patterns of how the word was used. This study attempts to locate a single basic (but complex) semantic concept that could account for the diachronic occurrences of the verb and extended, peripheral or marginal meanings. This article tests the suggested range of meaning and identifies patterns in the occurrences of the word that shed light on how the word was used in contexts that assist us in finding a single basic semantic concept that accounts for this range of meanings.

Article from Volume 10 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by William Varner (The Master’s College and Seminary, Santa Clarita, CA, USA)

'A 'Majority' Reading for James 3.3 Supported by Both External and Internal Evidence', JGRChJ 10 (2014), pp. 132-137

This article argues for a different textual reading in Jas 3.3a from what is found in the critical texts of NA27/28 and UBS4/5. The orienter ἴδε instead of the conditional εἰ δὲ has both older external evidence and better argument based on the internal evidence for its adoption. The discourse marker ἴδε in 3.3a combined with the ἰδού in 3.4 and 3.5 call attention to the three examples from natural life—the horse/bridle, the ship/rudder and the fire/forest—and effectively combine to make a rhetorical argument for the power of the tongue, both for good and for evil.

Article from Volume 10 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Jordan Henderson (Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY, USA)

'Josephus's' Life and Jewish War Compared to the Synoptic Gospels', JGRChJ 10 (2014), pp. 113-131

While there is a growing recognition among scholars that the Synoptic Gospels fall within the genre of ancient biography, the differences in detail between these three accounts of Jesus’ life remain puzzling. As a case study, this article analogously compares the differences between Josephus’s Life and the autobiographical portions of his Jewish War to explore the outer range of variations that might have been acceptable for different works in the genre of ancient biography narrating the life of the same historical figure.

Article from Volume 10 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Jennifer Shack (Concordia University College of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada)

'A Text without 1 Corinthians 14.34-35? Not according to the Manuscript Evidence', JGRChJ 10 (2014), pp. 90-112

The text of 1 Cor. 14.34-35 is controversial in nature, and some have classified it as an interpolation in the text. This article contends that the theory that this text is an interpolation is unconvincing when the external evidence is reconsidered. This conclusion is shown through an analysis of the text and marginalia concerning these verses in Codex Vaticanus, Codex Fuldensis and MS 88.

Article from Volume 10 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by John Granger Cook (LaGrange College, LaGrange, GA, USA)

' Matthew 5.39 and 26.67: Slapping Another's Cheek in Ancient Mediterranean Culture', JGRChJ 10 (2014), pp. 68-89

This article examines the practice of slapping another’s cheek in the ancient Mediterranean world. Using texts from Latin and Greek writers and ancient Christian and pagan interpreters of Matt 5.39, this article shows that these ancient writers were probably unaware that backhanded (or left-handed) slaps were grossly insulting, a contention made occasionally in modern scholarship. Some Hebrew texts, on the other hand, may show awareness of more insult in left- handed slaps. This study will shed light on the significance and implication of the slaps Jesus suffered during his Passion according to Matthew.

Article from Volume 10 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Lincoln H. Blumell (Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA)

'The Message and the Medium: Some Observations on Epistolary Communication in Late Antiquity', JGRChJ 10 (2014), pp. 24-67

In antiquity the most common form of communication between two or more parties who were physically separated was the letter. As a result, letters often constitute important source texts for a wide variety of issues and figure prominently in early Christian literature. To fully utilize the evidence provided by letters, it is important to realize that these texts are conditioned by a number of internal and external factors that can affect the message(s) they convey. To elucidate some of these factors, this study surveys the epistolary evidence from Late Antiquity and, as part of this analysis, pertinent issues like the use of scribes and letter carriers are also considered.

Article from Volume 10 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig S. Keener (Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY, USA)

'First-Person Claims in Some Ancient Historians and Acts', JGRChJ 10 (2014), pp. 9-23

William Sanger Campbell rightly notes that historians used the first-person singular more as narrators than as actors. Nevertheless, historians do sometimes depict themselves in the first-person in narrative action, including in familiar biblical narratives. Although Luke includes notice of his participation, using the first-person plural minimizes focus on it far more than even third-person usage would have done. By simply including himself in group actions, he avoids distinct focus on himself, allowing him to maintain his focus on Paul. Like many authors, the author of Acts need not name himself because he was familiar to the first real audiences of Acts.

Article from Volume 9 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by John K. Goodrich (Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, IL, USA)

'The Interpretation οf μέτρον πίστεως ιn Romans 12.3—Rejoinder τo Porter αnd Ong', JGRChJ 9 (2013), pp. 213-220

This article responds to Stanley Porter and Hughson Ong’s criticisms of my 2012 Catholic Biblical Quarterly article on the phrase μέτρον πίστεως (“‘Standard of Faith” or “Measure of a Trusteeship”: A Study in Romans 12:3’). After identifying various oversights in Porter and Ong’s argumentation, I respond to their critique in two parts, focusing initially on their methodological claims before addressing certain alleged omissions in my earlier piece. I thereby seek to show that my interpretation of Romans 12.3 is far more tenable than Porter and Ong lead one to believe.

Article from Volume 9 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Alexandra Mileto Robinson (Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia)

'The Enoch Inclusio in Jude: A New Structural Possibility', JGRChJ 9 (2013), pp. 196-212

This paper proposes that Jude v. 4 and vv. 14-15 function as an inclusio framing Jude’s case against the ungodly and shaping the flow of the entire letter. The second bracket of the inclusio, the Enoch citation (vv. 14-15), has been viewed as one example among many in Jude’s case. Instead, it is a prophetic declaration in light of the evidence, confirming the condemnation of the ungodly. Of all the theophany passages at Jude’s disposal, why did he select this text to build and finalize his charge against the ungodly? The paper offers seven suggestions why 1 En 1.9 was appropriate for Jude’s situation.

Article from Volume 9 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Travis B. Williams (Tusculum College, Greeneville, TN, USA)

'Benefiting the Community through Good Works? The Economic Feasibility of Civic Benefaction in 1 Peter', JGRChJ 9 (2013), pp. 147-95

In 1 Peter, interpreters often reject the idea that civic benefaction stands behind the author’s instructions to ‘do good’, due in large part to the (perceived) lack of financial resources. To this point, however, no quantitative economic data has been produced to substantiate this claim. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to determine whether civic benefaction would have been economically feasible for the Petrine audience by calculating the total amount of disposable income that could have been accumulated within the average Christian community and weighing this amount against the known costs incurred in the practice of euergetism.

Article from Volume 9 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Benjamin A. Edsall (Keble College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK)

'Greco-Roman Costume and Paul’s Fraught Argument in 1 Corinthians 11.2-16', JGRChJ 9 (2013), pp. 132-46

Using as a point of entry the scholarly debate about whether head-coverings or hairstyles are in view in 1 Cor. 11.2–16, this article re-evaluates Paul's surprisingly difficult argument from the perspective of Greco-Roman costume and its attendant cultural baggage. In this light it appears that Paul is addressing what he views as a problem of social and sexual propriety for female conduct that has arisen from further Corinthian reflection on his own teaching. Paul's response tries to navigate between reinforcing expected propriety while not contradicting his initial teaching about equality in Christ.

Article from Volume 9 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Bryan R. Dyer (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'The Epistle to the Hebrews in Recent Research: Studies on the Author's Identity, his Use of the Old Testament, and Theology', JGRChJ 9 (2013), pp. 104-31

The Epistle to the Hebrews has been the focus of renewed interest in New Testament scholarship. Although it was once thought of as a neglected text in the canon, numerous commentaries, monographs, and other studies on Hebrews have appeared in the last decade. By examining nine monographs published between 2009 and 2012, this article offers a state-of-play of recent Hebrews scholarship. Three areas of interest emerge: authorship of Hebrews, its use of the Old Testament, and its theology. This recent interest in Hebrews is to be encouraged as it has offered fresh light on an important text from early Christianity.

Article from Volume 9 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Stanley E. Porter and Hughson T. Ong (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'‘Standard of Faith’ or 'Measure of Trusteeship?' A Study in Romans 12.3-A Response', JGRChJ 9 (2013), pp. 97-103

This article responds to John Goodrich’s ‘“Standard of Faith” or “Measure of a Trusteeship”?’ published in the Catholic Biblical Quarterly (2012). Goodrich proposes that the μέτρον πίστεως in Rom 12.3 refers to the believer’s charism and thus should be seen as ‘a trusteeship’ God grants to each believer. We, however, argue that the clause with μέτρον πίστεως in Rom. 12.3 should be interpreted and translated as ‘to each God allocates his measure of faith’, highlighting a number of significant problems in the arguments and evidence Goodrich marshals in his article.

Article from Volume 9 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Barry F. Parker (California Baptist University, Riverside, CA, USA)

'‘Works of the Law’ and the Jewish Settlement in Asia Minor', JGRChJ 9 (2013), pp. 42-96

This article begins with an historical study of the Jewish settlements in Asia Minor. The religious milieu is also examined. Although it appears that the Jewish identity remained intact, the social, cultural and religious pressures faced by Anatolian Jews were much greater for them than for the Palestinian Jews. It is maintained that Paul’s overriding concern in Galatians 3 is ‘faithfulness of Christ’. To explain this, Paul adapts Anatolian concepts and language to his own polemic. Paul’s phrase, ‘works of the law’, does not attack the law per se, but the selective understanding of the law by the Anatolian Jews.

Article from Volume 9 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Christopher D. Land (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'Digitizing Ancient Inscriptions and Manuscripts: Some Thoughts about the Production of Digital Editions', JGRChJ 9 (2013), pp. 9-41

The digitization of ancient artefacts is becoming increasingly common. This essay draws upon a hierarchy of linguistic abstractions in order to organize the information that future scholars might wish to access in a digital edition, with the purpose being to inform the development of encoding standards. The first two parts of the essay introduce the digital humanities and discuss the impact of computer technology on New Testament scholarship. A third part outlines the theoretical distinctions that are relevant to the representation of ancient inscriptions and manuscripts. A final part then discusses the limitations of existing editions (both print and digital), before proposing a modular approach that would permit the production of more comprehensive editions.

Article from Volume 8 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Kevin Daugherty (Briercrest College and Seminary, Caronport, SK, Canada)

'Naked Bodies and Heavenly Clothing: ΓΥΜΝΟΣ in 2 Corinthians 5.3', JGRChJ 8 (2011-2012), pp. 199-222

Paul’s statement that believers will not be found ‘naked’ in 2 Cor. 5.3 has often been interpreted in terms of a period of disembodied existence after death. Instead, the background of the image in the Hebrew Bible, its meaning in the context of 2 Corinthians, and its relation to the broader teachings of Paul, all support the interpretation of ‘naked’ as a description of the present condition of the body, especially as it culminates in death. Nakedness indicates continued solidarity with the Adamic race and the present age, and Paul was encouraged that he would not appear before Christ at the judgment in this state.

Article from Volume 8 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Stanley E. Porter (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'Early Apocryphal Non-Gospel Literature and the New Testament Text', JGRChJ 8 (2011-2012), pp. 192-98

This paper examines the non-Gospel apocryphal documents originating before the rise of the major codexes in the fourth century. When this literature is examined, there are very few parallels to passages in the New Testament. Where there is evidence of parallel material, the apocryphal texts appear to use the text of the Greek New Testament directly or with contextual adaptations, indicating that the text of the Greek New Testament was relatively well established by the second and third centuries.

Article from Volume 8 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Richard Carrier (Berkeley, CA, USA)

'Thallus and The Darkness at Christ’s Death', JGRChJ 8 (2011-2012), pp. 185-91

It is commonly claimed that a chronologer named Thallus, writing shortly after 52 CE, mentioned the crucifixion of Jesus and the noontime darkness surrounding it (which reportedly eclipsed the whole world for three hours), and attempted to explain it as an ordinary solar eclipse. But this is not a credible interpretation of the evidence. A stronger case can be made that we actually have a direct quotation of what Thallus said, and it does not mention Jesus. Rather, Thallus only wrote that in the year 32 “the sun was eclipsed, Bithynia was struck by an earthquake, and in the city of Nicaea many buildings fell.”

Article from Volume 8 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Horace Jeffery Hodges and John C. Poirier (Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea and Kingswell Theological Seminary, Middletown, OH, USA)

'Jesus as the Holy One of God: The Healing of the ZaVaH in Mark 5.24b-34', JGRChJ 8 (2011-2012), pp. 151-84

The story of Jesus healing a woman of a chronic flow of blood (Mark 5.24b-34) speaks, on the surface, of the woman’s faith. It also reveals several things about the dynamics of ritual impurity and healing virtue, most notably about how those dynamics interact with the figure of Jesus as the “holy one” of God. This article revisits the question of what the healing signifies (esp. for the woman), and of how the narrative informs the larger Markan context. It also examines the figure of the “holy one” in Mark, and his effect upon the story’s ritual logic.

Article from Volume 8 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by E. K. McFall (Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey)

'Are Dionysos and Oedipus Name Variations for Satan and Antichrist?', JGRChJ 8 (2011-2012), pp. 106-50

The striking similarities between Dionysos and Satan, along with evident points of intersection and contention between Dionysos and both YHWH and Christ, are such that ‘no other deity from any other culture is as closely associated with both YHWH and Christ—and yet diametrically opposed to them—as Dionysos’. Connecting this view to close readings of the Attic tragedians that allow for the inference that Dionysos is Oedipus’s father-coupled to an understanding of Oedipus as a kind of ‘anti-Moses’, and to commentaries that link Oedipus to Judas and Nero, both types of Antichrists—raises the question of the tradition of Antichrist in the context of Dionysos as Satan and Oedipus as Antichrist.

Article from Volume 8 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Wally V. Cirafesi (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'The Priestly Portrait Of Jesus In The Gospel Of John In The Light Of 1QS, 1QSa And 1QSb', JGRChJ 8 (2011-2012), pp. 83-105

This article suggests that the priestly features of John’s Christology merit further exploration, and highlights several priestly elements of the Fourth Gospel’s presentation of Jesus based on three Qumran texts: 1QS, 1QSa and 1QSb. It argues that there were at least three key characteristics of the Zadokite priesthood at Qumran that find correspondences with the activities of Jesus in John’s Gospel. These characteristics are: (1) authority in legal scenarios; (2) leadership at the communal meal; and (3) the formation of a spiritualized temple. It concludes that, while there may not necessarily be a relation of causality, the Qumran texts and John’s Gospel share a similar theological perspective regarding the priesthood in Qumran and Jesus Christ in John.

Article from Volume 8 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Greg Goswell (Presbyterian Theological College, Melbourne, Australia)

'An Early Commentary on the Pauline Corpus: The Capitulation of Codex Vaticanus', JGRChJ 8 (2011-2012), pp. 51-82

An examination of the system of chapters in Codex Vaticanus (B 03) of the early fourth century reveals that the divisions present in the Pauline epistles represent an evaluation of what are the sense-units of the biblical passages. This study explores the hermeneutical significance of the ancient chapters demarcated in the Pauline Epistles of this codex. It demonstrates that the study of divisions in ancient texts has the potential of generating new exegetical insights (or recovering old ones long forgotten) and of helping us to scrutinize and re-evaluate contemporary exegetical and homiletical practice.

Article from Volume 8 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Tim Brookins (Baylor University, Waco, TX)

'Dispute with Stoicism in the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus', JGRChJ 8 (2011-2012), pp. 34-50

Setting aside questions of derivation, literary dependency, and textual integrity, this essay asks how a Greco-Roman comparative approach might enable present-day audiences to hear the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus as it would have been heard by a philosophically- and rhetorically-educated first-century audience. It argues that the parable evokes the technical Stoic concepts of ‘good’ (ἀγαθόν) and ‘evil’ (κακόν), as well as each of the items in the usual summary of Stoic ‘indifferents’ (ἀδιάφορα) (life, pleasure, health, and wealth, and their opposites, death, pain, disease, and poverty), but that Luke deliberately upsets the Stoic understanding of these concepts. Accentuating this Stoic content is the fact that the parable uses a form of discourse that was, in the tradition preserved by Seneca, closely associated with the Stoics—that of ‘declamatory’ rhetoric.

Article from Volume 8 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Jintae Kim (Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary)

'The Concept of Atonement in the Fourth Servant Song in the LXX', JGRChJ 8 (2011-2012), pp. 21-33

This article seeks to find the origin of the New Testament concept of atonement. The writer suggests the presence of an ancient tradition behind the Fourth Servant Song of the LXX. The LXX (Isa. 52.13–53.12) eschatologizes the Old Testament sacrifices by identifying the Servant with a messianic figure who would suffer and die vicariously for the sins of others. The same idea was implicit in the Hebrew text of Isaiah 53 and is now made explicit in the translator’s interpretive rendering of the Hebrew text. In this article, the writer examines primarily the Fourth Servant Song in the LXX and demonstrates its eschatological interpretation of the Old Testament sacrifices.

Article from Volume 8 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Brice C. Jones (McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada)

'The Bodmer ‘Miscellaneous’ Codex and the Crosby-Schøyen Codex MS 193: A New Proposal'', JGRChJ 8 (2011-2012), pp. 9-20

This article examines the codex of P72 in an attempt to determine whether or not ‘miscellany’ is an appropriate designation on the basis of its contents. Some scholars have argued that the scribe of P72 brought together several texts that share a common theme, but there are indications that suggest this theory is unwarranted. This article proposes that the multi-text codex of P72 consists of a variety of texts that were brought together not because they share a single theme but because the compiler of the codex sought to establish a better reserve of biblical literature for private use, and that the term ‘composite’ is a more appropriate designation for the codex.

Article from Volume 7 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig S. Keener (Palmer Theological Seminary, Wynnewood, PA, USA)

'Acts 10: Were Troops Stationed in Caesarea during Agrippa's Rule?', JGRChJ 7 (2010), pp. 164-176

Haenchen questions Luke’s report about the conversion of the Gentile Cornelius, contending that the narrative occurs during Agrippa’s reign (41–44 CE) and that no Roman soldiers were stationed in Caesarea during this time. Haenchen’s argument is, however, difficult to defend. First, we cannot be certain as to the time frame of the events described. Secondly, Josephus explicitly refers to auxiliaries of the Roman army in Caesarea during this period. Thirdly, some argue that Cornelius was retired anyway. Of these arguments, the most important is the second from Josephus. Key words: Acts 10; Cornelius; centurion; Agrippa

Article from Volume 7 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig S. Keener (Palmer Theological Seminary, Wynnewood, PA, USA)

'The Plausibility of Luke's Growth Figures in Acts 2.41; 4.4; 21.20', JGRChJ 7 (2010), pp. 140-63

Analogous periods of intensive growth attested for new religious movements render Luke’s reports of the church’s growth (Acts 2.41; 4.4; 21:.20) more plausible than is often assumed. Indeed, far from being absurd, Luke’s figures appear modest in comparison with significant growth rates in much of global Christianity and other mass movements today. This is not to deny that Luke may have preferred higher estimates where available, or to presume that careful statistics were kept. But concrete arguments against high figures for the Jerusalem church (addressed in this article) are not compelling, so if we have other reasons to respect Luke’s historiography, these reports remain plausible. Keywords: Acts 2.41; Acts 4.4; Acts 21.20; church growth; Jerusalem church; Luke’s historiography

Article from Volume 7 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig S. Keener (Palmer Theological Seminary, Wynnewood, PA, USA)

'Note on Athens: Do 1 Corinthians 16.15 and Acts 17.34 Conflict?', JGRChJ 7 (2010), pp. 137-39

In contrast to those who argue that 1 Cor. 16.15 rules out the possibility of earlier converts in Athens, Athens was a ‘free city’, hence not officially part of the province of Achaia during this period. Key words: Acts 17.34; 1 Cor. 16.15; historiography; Athens; Achaia; free cities

Article from Volume 7 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Nijay K. Gupta and Fredrick J. Long (Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY)

'The Politics of Ephesians and the Empire: Accommodation or Resistance?', JGRChJ 7 (2010), pp. 112-36

Despite the trend to interpret New Testament texts as containing some form of imperial critique, the letter to the Ephesians is dismissed as advocating accommodation to empire. The charge is that the letter is escapist, emphasizing spiritual foes, and maintains the Roman status quo in its household code. However, particular language in Ephesians reveals a resistance to earthly ‘demonized’ powers and challenges imperial prerogatives through trumping and subverting them. God’s example of rule and living in Christ critiques imperialism. Furthermore, the household code promotes mutual submission and equal regard of respective members. When Ephesians is read within its own socio-political and religious context, clear signs of resistance to the empire are detected, possibly even involving confrontation of ‘the deeds of darkness’.   Key Words: Ephesians, Pauline Theology, Imperial Criticism, Household Codes, Roman Empire

Article from Volume 7 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Jintae Kim ( Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, Lynchburg, VA)

'The Concept of Atonement in the Qumran Literature and the New Covenant', JGRChJ 7 (2010), pp. 98-111

In the New Testament, we find the fusion of the concept of atonement with the concept of eschatological forgiveness as promised in Jeremiah’s new covenant prophecy in connection with the atoning death of Christ (Lk. 22.20; 1 Cor. 11.25; Heb. 8.6-13; 9.15-28; 1 Jn 2.2, 12-14). Focusing on the peculiar use of the phrase h#dxh tyrbh in the Qumran literature, this paper will demonstrate that this way of interpreting Jeremiah’s new covenant is built upon a Jewish eschatologizing of forgiveness as evidenced at Qumran, where the community identified itself both as the new covenant and the true temple with spiritual sacrifices.

Article from Volume 7 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Greg Goswell (Presbyterian Theological College, Melbourne, Australia)

'Ancient Patterns of Reading: The Subdivision of the Acts of the Apostles in Codex Sinaiticus ', JGRChJ 7 (2010), pp. 68-97

The 42 numbered chapters and 27 kephalaia present in Codex Sinaiticus (fourth century) for the Acts of the Apostles give the contemporary reader access to ancient patterns of reading the book of Acts. The kephalaia take the form of running titles at the top of columns (titloi). The presupposition behind this study is that the breaking up of a long narrative text into smaller units is a significant factor that shapes readerly perceptions. The kephalaia of Sinaiticus give special prominence to certain persons, events and themes in Acts. The uncovered modes of reading sometimes challenge contemporary notions about Acts and even provide (what are to us) new exegetical insights.

Article from Volume 7 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig S. Keener (Palmer Theological Seminary, Wynnewood, PA, USA)

'The Nativity Cave and Gentile Myths', JGRChJ 7 (2010), pp. 59-67

How would Gentiles have heard the early Christian tradition of Jesus’ nativity in a cave, and Hadrian’s subsequent ‘defilement’ of that site with a sacred grove? This article briefly surveys some relevant or potentially relevant pagan analogies.

Article from Volume 7 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig S. Keener (Palmer Theological Seminary, Wynnewood, PA, USA)

'The Pillars and the Right Hand of Fellowship in Galatians 2.9', JGRChJ 7 (2010), pp. 51-58

In Gal. 2.9, the Jerusalem pillars entered an agreement with Paul by giving him ‘the right hand of fellowship’. This brief article surveys evidence involving agreements with the right hand, and also the figurative use of ‘pillars’ as images of strength, to explore more fully the sorts of connotations that Paul’s Galatian audience may have heard in both images.

Article from Volume 7 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Michael Meerson (Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA)

'One God Supreme: A Case Study of Religious Tolerance and Survival', JGRChJ 7 (2010), pp. 32-50

The paper discusses an important Hellenistic inscription that was found on Mount Gerizim in Samaria, Israel. First, the paper analyzes the corpus of inscriptions with invocations to qeo\j u9yi/stoj and ei[j qeo/j (both posing a similar problem), trying to find out a social and cultural message in one’s choice to address the god with a name fitting both the Jewish and the pagan worship. After that, the paper attempts to date the inscription and to put it in a cultural and architectural context of Mount Gerizim, the focus of spiritual values for Samaritans.

Article from Volume 7 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig A. Smith (Sterling College, Sterling KS, USA)

'The Development of Style (Fifth Century BCE to Second Century CE) and the Consequences for Understanding the Style of the New Testament', JGRChJ 7 (2010), pp. 9-31

There has been very little consideration given to the impact and consequences of writing style on the New Testament writings. This article is a push against this reality. There are three aims in this article. First, it will show how literary style developed over the period of time from the fifth century BCE to the second century CE, thereby providing a context for understanding literary style. Secondly, the reader will see how this development of style impacts the examination of style in the New Testament. Thirdly, 2 Tim. 4.1-8 is used as an example of how an understanding of style affects the interpretation of a New Testament text.

Article from Volume 6 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Cynthia Long Westfall (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'Blessed Be The Ties That Bind: Semantic Domains And Cohesive Chains In Hebrews 1.1-2.4 And 12.5-8', JGRChJ 6 (2009), pp. 199-216

This article introduces the usefulness of semantic domain theory in discourse analysis. The theory of semantic domains relates directly to several core theories of discourse analysis, particularly cohesion, coherence and the recognition of topics. Semantic domains, cohesion and topics are examined in Heb. 12.5-8 and Heb. 1.1–2.4. The semantic and participant chains in Heb. 12.5-8 show that the topic is not so much ‘God disciplines his children’, as given in the TNIV, but ‘Endure hardship as God’s discipline’. An examination of semantic domains, cohesion and topics between Heb. 1.5-13 and Heb. 1.1-4 and 2.1-4 is conducted, showing that all three passages highlight God’s communication through the Son. The paper argues that an analysis of semantic domains provides a vital lens through which we can view every text, and that it sometimes sheds important light on interpretive puzzles.

Article from Volume 6 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Lois K. Fuller Dow (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada)

'Understanding κλῆσις in the New Testament', JGRChJ 6 (2009), pp. 191-198

κλῆσις is defined in BDAG as a call (invitation) and as a position or condition. 1 Cor. 7.20 is the only place in Greek literature where it has been given the second meaning. The passages in non- Christian Greek literature given by BDAG for the meaning position are unable to support this meaning. In the Hellenistic world the word very often meant a name or appellation. A fresh look at 1 Cor 7.20 shows that the call there is God’s call, to be lived out in any life situation.

Article from Volume 6 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig Keener (Palmer Theological Seminary, Wynnewood, PA, USA)

'Heavenly Mindedness and Earthly Good: Contemplating Matters Above in Colossians 3.1-2', JGRChJ 6 (2009), pp. 175-190

Philosophers, mystics, and apocalyptic visionaries sought to visualize heaven, often to envision deity; philosophers emphasized specifically heavenly thinking. For philosophers, the pure and heavenly deity was abstract and transcendent; for Colossians, the heavenly focus is Christ, fitting the christocentric emphasis of this letter. For Colossians, contemplating Christ also leads naturally to Christlike character, in contrast to the pursuit of earthly passions. Although the writer’s articulation of the connection is distinctive, his connection of heavenly contemplation with appropriate behavior would have been intelligible to his contemporaries, including many philosophers. Colossians 3.1-2 addresses the sorts of conceptions in the larger milieu that the letter as a whole addresses, and connects the letter’s earlier theological arguments with the following parenetic material.

Article from Volume 6 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Greg Goswell (Presbyterian Theological College, Melbourne, Australia)

'Early Readers of the Gospels: The KEPHALAIA and TITLOI of Codex Alexandrinus', JGRChJ 6 (2009), pp. 134-174

Codex Alexandrinus includes kephalaia (κεφάλια), namely chapter divisions, for the Gospels. A survey of the kephalaia in the four Gospels indicates that their placement is not haphazard but reflects an evaluation the flow of the narratives and shows insight into the meaning of the story. They act as a commentary on the text that can at times be an insightful guide. I seek to demonstrate that there are four main possible effects of a textual break, namely to separate or join material, and to highlight or downplay features of the text, and I provide examples of each effect (function) using the kephalaia.

Article from Volume 6 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by David Lincicum (University of Oxford, UK)

'The Origin of ‘Alpha and Omega’ (Revelation 1.8; 21.6; 22.13): A Suggestion', JGRChJ 6 (2009), pp. 128-133

This note takes up the suggestion that the title ‘Alpha and Omega’ (Rev. 1.8; 21.6; 22.13) arose through reflection on the divine name, ΙΑΩ. The article commends the possibility that John ‘exegeted’ the divine name, in light of Isaiah 40–48 and emerging scribal practices of abbreviating the nomina sacra, as a reference to Jesus as the Alpha and Omega.

Article from Volume 6 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Mark A. Jennings (Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, USA )

'Patronage and Rebuke in Paul's Persuasion in 2 Corinthians 8-9', JGRChJ 6 (2009), pp. 107-127

This study of 2 Corinthians 8–9 will show how Paul employs the language of patronal relationships in his attempt to gain the Corinthian church’s full participation in his collection for those in Jerusalem. This language includes his depictions of the various network relationships, the nature of the goods exchanged, the importance of honor and shame, as well as his use of ‘grace’. By gaining a better understanding of how Paul incorporates patron imagery into his rhetoric of 2 Corinthians 8–9, we can see that Paul expected the cooperation of the Corinthian church on account of its place with the network of God’s churches.

Article from Volume 6 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Martin M. Culy (Briercrest College and Seminary, Caronport, SK, Canada)

'Double Case Constructions in Koine Greek', JGRChJ 6 (2009), pp. 82-106

Although students of Koine Greek are accustomed to encountering double accusative constructions, the occurrence of other double case constructions has generally been overlooked. This article shows that double case constructions are relatively common with all cases except the vocative, and appear in predictable syntactic environments. It also demonstrates that some putative double accusative constructions are better viewed as different phenomena altogether, and explains how the proposed analyses impact how we evaluate the relative importance of discourse themes.

Article from Volume 6 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Erlend D. MacGillivray (University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK)

'Re-Evaluating Patronage and Reciprocity in Antiquity and New Testament Studies', JGRChJ 6 (2009), pp. 37-81

The concepts of ‘patronage’ and ‘reciprocity’ have increasingly been appealed to as being key social components in the world of the New Testament. Yet this article argues that the current confidence placed in the model’s definitions and in their capability to unlock classical reciprocal relationships is misplaced. Chiefly, it is argued that the current definition of ‘patronage’ is too broad, and that it obscures the complexities of ancient reciprocity. Greek euergetism should be considered as a distinct reciprocal phenomenon, and, significantly, Second Temple Jewish society largely abstained from, or was ignorant of the mechanics of, classical patronage and euergetism.

Article from Volume 6 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig S. Keener (Palmer Theological Seminary, Wynnewood, PA, USA)

'Human Stones in a Greek Setting: Luke 3.8; Matthew 3.9; Luke 19.40', JGRChJ 6 (2009), pp. 28-36

Although affirming that Luke himself was presumably interested primarily in biblical rather than Greek mythological traditions, this article considers how early auditors may have visualized Luke’s depiction of rocks involved in humanlike activities. It surveys both stories of rocks and similar substances becoming human (as well as the reverse) and figurative use of such images. Although probably less often heard than the stories themselves, the application of such images for hyperbole was probably common enough that it would be understood figuratively in this case.

Article from Volume 6 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Jintae Kim (Alliance Theological Seminary, Nyack NY)

'The Concept of Atonement in the Gospel of John', JGRChJ 6 (2009), pp. 9-27

The Gospel of John has been the object of scholarly debate because of its distinctive presentation of Jesus, and the significant differences between it and Synoptic Gospels. C.H. Dodd finds the theme of atonement lacking in the Gospel of John. Dodd’s view is for the most part closely followed by other scholars. However, is the idea of Christ’s atonement really absent from the sending statements in John? Kim answers this question in the negative. This paper presents the concrete evidence of the theme of atonement in the Gospel of John by examining selected passages in it.

Article from Volume 5 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by David Instone-Brewer and Philip A. Harland (Tyndale House, Cambridge, UK and York University, Toronto, ON )

'Jewish Associations in Roman Palestine: Evidence from the Mishnah', JGRChJ 5 (2008), pp. 200-221

Associations were a widespread social structure in the first century Roman world, of individuals who shared a common interest and bonded together by means of communal meals, often in temples that had dining facilities. Judaism used a comparable term (haburah) to describe similar gatherings especially at festival times. The Jewish associations included groups who met in public halls for a meal, reclining on triclinia and waited on by servants. Separate associations met privately, even though they occupied the same public hall as others. Unlike Gentile associations, Jewish associations appear to have rejected the custom of following the meal by a drinking party.

Article from Volume 5 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Jake O’Connell (Assumption College, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA)

'Did Greco-Roman Apparitional Models Influence Luke’s Resurrection Narrative? A Response to Deborah Thompson Prince', JGRChJ 5 (2008), pp. 190-199

In a recent issue of the Journal for the Study of the New Testament, Deborah Thompson Prince argues that Luke consciously utilizes Greco-Roman conceptions of apparitions in constructing his picture of the resurrected Jesus. This argument is largely predicated on the fact that Luke’s description of the resurrected Jesus does not fit precisely into any one Greco-Roman apparitional type; rather it is in some respects similar to, and in other respects different from, any given type of apparition. The shortcomings of Prince’s argument become clear when three factors are considered: 1) the picture of Jesus in the other three Gospels and Paul; 2) Jewish conceptions of apparitions; 3) the lack of anything distinctively Greco-Roman in Luke’s portrayal of the resurrected Jesus.

Article from Volume 5 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Stephen J. Bedard (Meaford, Ontario )

'Hellenistic Influence on the Idea of Resurrection in Jewish Apocalyptic Literature', JGRChJ 5 (2008), pp. 174-189

It is common to encounter the assertion regarding ancient concepts of the afterlife that a bodily resurrection is a Jewish view and a bodiless spirit existence is a Greek view. However, an examination of resurrection texts within Jewish apocalyptic literature reveals much in common with Greek ideas of an afterlife. Jewish resurrection texts that describe an angelic transformation are remarkably similar to the Greek concept of apotheosis where a hero is transformed into a god at death. It is possible that apotheosis traditions played a significant role in the articulation of the Jewish belief in a bodily resurrection.

Article from Volume 5 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Mariusz Rosik (Pontifical Faculty of Theology, Wroclaw, Poland)

'The Greek Motif of the Cyclic Journey in the Gospel of Luke', JGRChJ 5 (2008), pp. 165-173

Rosik shows that the motif of a cyclic journey used by Luke was known among the Greek readers of his Gospel, since it was present in their literature. Thus Luke’s use of the motif of a cyclic journey probably facilitated the reception of the Good News about salvation in the Hellenistic world.

Article from Volume 5 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Jeffrey L. Staley, Matthew Forrest Lowe, Michael W. Pahl, Anne Moore and Paul N. Anderson ( )

'John Versus Jesus? Reviews of The Fourth Gospel And The Quest For Jesus by Paul N. Anderson and the Author’s Response', JGRChJ 5 (2008), pp. 125-164

Introducing this major engagement with Anderson’s provocative new book The Fourth Gospel and the Quest for Jesus, Staley provides a clear introduction to the work and its new paradigms impacting Johannine and Jesus studies alike. Lowe engages Part II featuring Anderson’s critique of twelve planks undergirding the dehistoricization of John and the de-Johannification of Jesus; Pahl reviews Part III involving Anderson’s new theory of John’s autonomy and distinctive relations to other traditions; and Moore addresses Part IV involving Anderson’s presentation of Jesus in bi-optic perspective. Anderson then responds to these essays arguing the need for a dialectical approach to gospel historiography including the Fourth Gospel within the mix.

Article from Volume 5 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Hans Foerster (Austrian National Library, Vienna, Austria )

'The Celebration of the Baptism of Christ by the Basilideans and the Origin of Epiphany: Is the Seemingly Obvious Correct? ', JGRChJ 5 (2008), pp. 110-124

A celebration of the baptism of Christ by a Gnostic group in the second century (the Basilideans) is attested once in the writings of Clement of Alexandria. This is the earliest attestation of such a celebration. However, it is quite common to interpret this celebration as a forerunner of the Christian feast of Epiphany. This article calls into question the validity of the theological arguments used to defend this opinion, since it is quite probable that the Gnostic groups were virtually extinct by the fourth century. Thus, they probably had no influence on the Church at the time when this celebration was introduced in the Church.

Article from Volume 5 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Michael Wojciechowski (University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland)

'Aesopic Tradition in the New Testament', JGRChJ 5 (2008), pp. 99-109

Aesopic fables are an element of the New Testament background. Their general analogies include the similarity between parable and fable and a possibility of comparing transmission of fables and of Gospel material: first oral, next written. However, parables do not have many points of contact with the fable motifs (Mt. 25.14-30 and fable 225 [Perry edition]; Mt. 13.47-48 and Perry 282). Some other teachings of Jesus seem to reflect fables (Mt. 11.16 par. is explained by Perry 11; Mk 9.43-47 and Mt. 19.12 allude to Perry 118; Mt. 7.15 has a parallel in Perry 451—cf. Acts 20.29 and Perry 365). Minor parallels occur between Mt. 7.9 and Perry 298, Mt. 19.30 par. and Perry 226, Mt. 7.13 and Perry 383, Lk. 4.23 and Perry 289. Lk. 5.1-11; Jn 21.1-11 is structured as Perry 21. In Paul 1 Cor. 12.12-30 appeals to a popular comparison, known also from a fable (Perry 130). These analogies are not accidental, but without a primary importance, remaining dispersed and partial.

Article from Volume 5 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Jintae Kim (Alliance Theological Seminary, Nyack NY)

'Targum Isaiah 53 and the New Testament Concept of Atonement', JGRChJ 5 (2008), pp. 81-98

In this paper, the author attempts to shed light on the issue of the origin of the concept of atonement in the New Testament by examining the Servant passages in Targum Isaiah that are relevant to the origin of the concept of atonement in the New Testament. The examination of the passages shows that the typological interpretation of Christ’s death as an atoning sacrifice in the New Testament has a close parallel in the typological interpretation of the Servant’s role according to the Levitical atoning sacrifices in Targum Isaiah. Targum Isaiah preserves a tradition that typologically interpreted the Servant-Messiah according to the pattern of both the regular atoning sacrifices (Tg. Isa. 53.4, 12; cf. Lev. 4.20 etc.) and the sin offering on the Day of Atonement (Tg. Isa. 53.10; cf. Lev. 16.30).

Article from Volume 5 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Jae Hyun Lee (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, Ontario)

'Against Richard B. Hays’s ‘Faith of Jesus Christ’', JGRChJ 5 (2008), pp. 51-80

Richard B. Hays’s understanding of ‘faith of Jesus Christ’ in Galatians consists of two factors. One is the divine-human antithesis around the concept of πίστις Χριστοῡ in his reconstructed narrative substructure. The other is the theological role of πίστις in Paul’s thought. However, this article demonstrates the instability of Hays’s arguments by pointing out his inconsistent use of textual information in establishing a narrative substructure, and by revealing Paul’s real emphasis in relation to the issue of πίστις in Galatians. Against Hays’s ‘faith of Jesus Christ’ this paper argues the reading of πίστις Ίησοῡ Χριστοῡ in Galatians as ‘faith in Jesus Christ’.

Article from Volume 5 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig S. Keener (Palmer Theological Seminary, Wynnewood, PA)

'Three Notes on Figurative Language: Inverted Guilt in Acts 7.55-60, Paul’s Figurative Vote in Acts 26.10, Figurative Eyes in Galatians 4.15', JGRChJ 5 (2008), pp. 42-50

These three brief articles address New Testament passages where knowledge of ancient background challenges some traditional readings. Paul ‘casting his vote’ in Acts 26.10 does not mean that he belonged to the Sanhedrin or other judicial body; this language was frequently used figuratively for consent and participation. Others also used wordplays similar to Luke’s play here between Saul ‘casting his pebble’ and those who ‘stoned’ Stephen. Acts 7.55-60 ironically inverts the charge of guilt: by standing, the true judge supports Stephen; Stephen’s accusers strip their own cloaks, actions normally applied to one being executed; and whereas Jewish custom invited those being executed to confess their own sins, Stephen confesses those of his accusers. When Paul in Gal. 4.15 claims that the Galatians would have dug out their eyes and given them to Paul, interpretations suggesting a problem with Paul’s eyesight are misplaced. Rather, Paul uses a familiar ancient idiom of sacrificial devotion.

Article from Volume 5 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Stanley E. Porter and Andrew W. Pitts (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON Canada)

'Paul’s Bible, His Education and His Access to the Scriptures of Israel', JGRChJ 5 (2008), pp. 9-41

In this article the authors seek to address some of the technical issues that accompany the study of Paul’s use of Scripture. The questions they raise are related to how Paul had access to the texts that he drew upon. These include: (1) the educational level that Paul could reasonably have achieved; (2) the nature of the book culture in the ancient world; (3) the question of ancient reading; and (4) the process by which Old Testament texts became Pauline citations, and what we can determine from that process.

Article from Volume 4 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Justin M. Smith (St. Mary’s College, University of St. Andrews, Scotland)

'Genre, Sub-Genre and Questions of Audience: A Proposed Typology for Greco-Roman Biography', JGRChJ 4 (2007), pp. 184-216

The communicative and relational matrix of author-subject-audience serves as an important and valuable lens through which to understand and evaluate texts. This is especially true of the genre of Greco-Roman biography, which was written by individuals (author), about individuals (subject) and for readers/listeners (audience). A number of typologies have been offered as a means of sub-dividing Greco-Roman biography, yet none has taken into account the aforementioned communicative matrix. This article offers a new typology for Greco-Roman biography that takes into account the relationships among the authors, the subjects and the audiences of ancient biographies.

Article from Volume 4 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by David E. Malick (Southeastern Bible College, Birmingham, AL)

'The Contribution of Codex Bezae Cantabrigiensis to an Understanding of Women in the Book of Acts', JGRChJ 4 (2007), pp. 158-83

Codex Bezae, also known as Codex D, a primary representative of the ‘Western’ text, has some significant differences in the Greek text of the book of Acts from Codex B and the readings normally followed in the NA27 and UBSGNT fourth edition texts. This article investigates those that appear to be intentional variants that reflect theological ideas about women in the early Church, in Acts 1:14; 16:14, 15, 40; 17:4, 12, 34; 18:2-3, 7, 26, and concludes that Codex B pictures women as co-participants and co-workers with men in ministry to a greater degree than Codex D.

Article from Volume 4 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Julie Ann Smith (University of Sydney, Australia)

'‘What Now Lies Before Their Eyes’: The Foundations of Early Pilgrim Visuality in the Holy Land', JGRChJ 4 (2007), pp. 135-57

Pilgrims to the Holy Land in the late fourth and early fifth centuries practiced culturally specific visualities that allowed them to perceive the holy places as evidences that strengthened faith. This paper explores the writings of Eusebius of Caesarea, Cyril of Jerusalem, Gregory of Nyssa, Athanasius of Alexandria, Jerome, and Augustine about this kind of practice, and analyzes the recorded experiences of three pilgrims: the Bordeaux Pilgrim, Egeria and Paula.

Article from Volume 4 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by John C. Poirier (Kingswell Theological Seminary, Cincinnati, OH)

'The Linguistic Situation in Jewish Palestine in Late Antiquity', JGRChJ 4 (2007), pp. 55-134

The principal languages spoken in late antique Jewish Palestine, in descending order of frequency, were Aramaic, Greek, and Hebrew. This article seeks to establish, in the face of recent challenges, that Aramaic was indeed much more commonly spoken than Hebrew. While the argument for a vernacular Hebrew is found wanting, recent attempts to show the vernacular status of Greek in this same period are judged correct in most respects. This article engages the texts and the epigraphic evidence for this understanding of the linguistic situation, and briefly visits how this relates to the perennial question of Jesus’ language of instruction.

Article from Volume 4 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Nathan Eubank (Duke University, Durham, NC)

'Bakhtin and Lukan Politics: A Carnivalesque Reading of the Last Supper in the Third Gospel', JGRChJ 4 (2007), pp. 32-54

The third gospel does not proclaim a reversal of fortunes in which the lowly are exalted over the powerful, as is commonly assumed. Rather, Luke destabilizes the very definitions of lowliness and power in a manner that is best described by Mikhail Bakhtin’s concept of the carnivalesque. To be more specific, the Lukan Last Supper narrative rewrites the meaning of Jesus’ messianic status, poetically juxtaposing death with political victory. This dialogical definition of Jesus’ identity is the proper framework through which to view Lukan politics as a whole.

Article from Volume 4 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by David Reis (University of Oregon, Eugene, OR)

'Flip-Flop? John Chrysostom's Polytropic Paul', JGRChJ 4 (2007), pp. 9-31

In antiquity, consistency in both word and deed was the hallmark of a virtuous man. Alongside this discourse, however, a counter argument developed that praised variability in speech or action, equating it with intellectual dexterity. For ancient writers, Odysseus, the ‘man of many ways’, was the central character in this debate; for many early Christians, the primary figure was Paul. This paper explores polytropism through an analysis of Paul’s Corinthian correspondence and the writings of John Chrysostom. Paul and Chrysostom both appropriate argumentation from the Odyssean debate: the apostle finds it useful in defending his gospel, while the bishop sees Paul’s versatility as not only an instrumental feature of his missionary success, but a quality that his own Christian community should strive to emulate.

Article from Volume 3 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Robert Stephen Reid (University of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA)

'Ad Herennium Argument Strategies in 1 Corinthians', JGRChJ 3 (2006), pp. 192-222

Reid argues that Paul, in composing his argument in 1 Corinthians, made conscious and extensive use of the strategies found in the Ad Herennium.

Article from Volume 3 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Sean A. Adams (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON)

'Luke's Preface and its Relationship to Greek Historiography: A Response to Loveday Alexander', JGRChJ 3 (2006), pp. 177-91

Adams argues that the closest parallels to Luke’s preface are found in the corpus of ancient classical historians, rather than the scientific prefaces.

Article from Volume 3 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Jonathan M. Watt (Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA)

'Contextual Disconnection in Bart Ehrman's Lost Christianities', JGRChJ 3 (2006), pp. 168-76

Watt raises six objections to Ehrman’s work in terms of the context in which it is written and what it purports to accomplish.

Article from Volume 3 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Lois K. Fuller (McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON)

'The 'Genitive Absolute' in New Testament/Hellenistic Greek: A Proposal for Clearer Understanding', JGRChJ 3 (2006), pp. 142-67

Fuller argues that the ‘genitive absolute’, perhaps better called the genitive construction, provides necessary background information and provides textual cohesion in narrative.

Article from Volume 3 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig S. Keener (Palmer Theological Seminary, Wynnewood, PA)

'Paul's 'Friends' The Asiarchs (Acts 19.31)', JGRChJ 3 (2006), pp. 134-41

Keener argues that the Asiarchs may have been those of the political elite who may have served as patrons to Paul, who would have been known as an important speaker.

Article from Volume 3 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Barry F. Parker (California Baptist University, Riverside, CA)

'Romans 7 and the Split Between Judaism and Christiainity', JGRChJ 3 (2006), pp. 110-33

In addressing Romans 7 to Jewish within mainstream Judaism in Rome, Paul argues that rather than continuing to meet the demands of the law they should live by the Spirit.

Article from Volume 3 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Michael Wojciechowski (Wydzial Teologii UWM, Olsztyn, Poland)

'Paul and Plutarch on Boasting', JGRChJ 3 (2006), pp. 99-109

Wojciechowski shows that Paul sometimes conforms to ancient rhetorical expectations regarding boasting, while other times he takes a bold and independent line that goes against the tradition.

Article from Volume 3 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Ronald Weed (Tyndale University College, Toronto, ON)

'Aristotle on Justice (δικαιοσύνη): Character, Action and Some Pauline Counterparts', JGRChJ 3 (2006), pp. 72-98

Weed explores the notion of justice as requiring character and behavior in Aristotle, and finding correlates in the treatment of justice in Paul.

Article from Volume 3 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Richard Van Egmond (Hamilton, ON)

'The Messianic ‘Son of David’ in Matthew', JGRChJ 3 (2006), pp. 41-71

Providing a detailed exploration of a single Gospel, Van Egmond explores the son of David messianic concept in Matthew’s Gospel, emphasizing how it is used throughout, including the passion account.

Article from Volume 3 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig Evans (Acadia Divinity College, Wolfville, NS)

'Messianic Hopes and Messianic Figures in Late Antiquity', JGRChJ 3 (2006), pp. 9-40

Recognizing the importance of messianic expectation in the ancient world, Evans explores the range of messianic hopes and types of messianic figures to be found in late antique Judaism, the Roman world and early Christianity.

Article from Volume 2 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Jesper Svartvik ()

'How Noah, Jesus and Paul Became Captivating Biblical Figures: The Side Effects of the Canonization of Slavery Metaphors in Jewish and Christian Texts', JGRChJ 2 (2001-2005)

Svartvik examines the Old Testament and New Testament passages on slavery. As a result, he notes that although Genesis 9 played an important role in pro-slavery discourse, the rights granted slaves in the Hebrew Bible meant that the Hebrew Bible was not used by the slavery movement. Similarly, the letters of Paul are seen by Svartvik to be less clear on the issue of slavery than is the synoptic portrait of Jesus. The parables, and especially Matthew’s teaching on eschatology, provided support for the pro-slavery movement.

Article from Volume 2 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Patrick James ()

'Participial Complementation in Roman and Byzantine Documentary Papyri: ἐπίσταμαι, μανθάνω, εὑρίσκω', JGRChJ 2 (2001-2005)

James examines participial complementation in Roman and Byzantine Greek documentary papyri, and concludes that the participial construction persisted because it was seen as an adjective. The accusative and infinitive construction was marginalized by the emergence of the direct object.

Article from Volume 2 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig Keener ()

'‘Let the Wife have Authority Over Her Husband’ (1 Corinthians 11.10)', JGRChJ 2 (2001-2005)

Keener understands the Greek term κεφαλή in 1 Cor. 11.3-7 to be used to mean the wife’s husband and her own literal head. He then goes further and suggests the possibility that Paul’s play on words continues in 1 Cor. 11.10, and that he is saying that ‘the wife ought to have authority over her head [i.e. her husband]’.

Article from Volume 2 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Jintae Kim ()

'The Concept of Atonement in Early Rabbinic Thought and the New Testament Writings', JGRChJ 2 (2001-2005)

Kim surveys five different traditions in early rabbinic literature—the martyr tradition, an atonement tradition, the death of exemplary figures, God’s chastising the great, and some traditional sayings—and concludes that the there is continuity between the Old Testament, Second Temple period and rabbinic writings regarding atonement. He further notes that these traditions are in agreement with 1 John, even though some distinctives remain.

Article from Volume 2 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Jintae Kim ()

'The Concept of Atonement in Hellenistic Thought and 1 John', JGRChJ 2 (2001-2005)

Kim surveys the use of ἱλασμός in Plutarch and 1 John in order to determine whether the background for the concept of atonement is found in non-Christian Greek sources. He concludes on the basis of the comparisons that the background is instead to be found in Jewish sources of the time.

Article from Volume 2 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Douglas C. Mohrmann ()

'Boast Not in your Righteousness from the Law: A New Reading of Romans 10.6-8', JGRChJ 2 (2001-2005)

Mohrmann offers a new reading of the use of Deuteronomy 30 in Rom. 10.6-8. He contends that Paul creates ‘the-righteousness-from-faith’ as a substitute character, attempting to win over the Jews to his gospel. The choice that is offered is between a life guided by the law and faith in Christ.

Article from Volume 2 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Galen K. Johnson ()

'The Tribulation in Revelation and Its Literary-Theological Milieu', JGRChJ 2 (2001-2005)

Johnson identifies three bodies of ancient literature that are concerned with great suffering before the end of the world—Jewish, Christian and the book of Revelation—and compares how they treat who may expect to endure the tribulation, what form the tribulation will take, the reason for the tribulation, how one endures the tribulation, and, finally, the meaning of the millennium.

Article from Volume 2 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Malcolm Choat and Alanna Nobbs ()

'Monotheistic Formulae of Belief in Greek Letters on Papyrus from the Second to the Fourth Century', JGRChJ 2 (2001-2005)

Choat and Nobbs identify what they call ‘formulae of belief’ in Greek letters from the second to the fourth century. On the basis of identifying these forms and the frequency of their occurrence, they note what they call a monotheistic impulse within the letters that is confirmed by other formulae found in the letters.

Article from Volume 2 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Hans Förster ()

'7Q5 = Mark 6.52-53: A Challenge for Textual Criticism?', JGRChJ 2 (2001-2005)

Förster draws upon procedure for publishing a papyrus in order to examine the claims that 7Q5 is a fragment of Mark’s Gospel. He examines the claims made for this identification but rejects them on the basis of the papyrus readings, the text in Mark and the length of the lines.

Article from Volume 2 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Zeba Crook ()

'The Divine Benefactions of Paul the Client', JGRChJ 2 (2001-2005)

Crook draws upon the categories of patronage and clientage within ancient structures of benefaction to characterize Paul’s mission to the gentiles. Paul characterizes his own calling in terms of being called by a divine patron. This would have resonated with Paul’s audience at the time. He also describes his vision of the risen Lord and apostleship in terms of divine benefaction. He reciprocates by proclaiming a message of salvation.

Article from Volume 1 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Michael Knowles (McMaster Divinity College, Ontario, Canada )

''Wide is the Gate and Spacious the Road that Leads to Destruction': Matthew 7.13 in Light of Archaeological Evidence', JGRChJ 1 (2000)

This study reviews Matthean redaction of 7.13-14, examines archaeological evidence concerning gates and roads in early Roman Palestine, and seeks to locate 7.13-14 thematically within the wider context of Matthew's Gospel, in order to demonstrate that the references to 'wide' gates and 'spacious' roads convey specifically Roman (or more properly, anti-Roman) overtones.

Article from Volume 1 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Al Wolters (Redeemer University College, Ontario, Canada )

'A Semantic Study of αὐθέντης and its Derivatives', JGRChJ 1 (2000)

The word αὐθέντης and its derivatives have occasioned a great deal of scholarly discussion. The difficulty is that αὐθέντης appears to have three distinct senses in ancient Greek ('murderer', 'master', and 'doer'), and it is a matter of dispute both how these senses are related among themselves, and how they influence the meaning of the derivatives of αὐθέντης. For New Testament scholars, the issue is whether αὐθεντέω in 1 Tim. 2.12 is based on the meaning 'master', thus yielding the traditional rendering 'have authority over' (possibly with the pejorative connotation of 'domineering'), or whether it is semantically indebted to one or both of the other two senses of αὐθέντης. The present article, without focusing specifically on the one occurrence of αὐθεντέω in the New Testament, sketches the semantic contours of this word family from its earliest attestation in Attic drama to late antiquity.

Article from Volume 1 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Anders Runesson (University of Lund, Sweden )

'Particularistic Judaism and Universalistic Christianity? Some Critical Remarks on Terminology and Theology', JGRChJ 1 (2000)

'Universalism' and 'particularism' are terms that mislead some into making historical statements that are untenable upon closer examination, and therefore are not useful terms for the study of ancient Judaism and Christianity. They simply cannot define the aspects of religion which they are supposed to define, and are unable to distinguish differences or show similarities between religions. Therefore, new terms are suggested that are adapted to the present state of research, with its emphasis on the diversity evident within these religions in ancient times. In this way, it is hoped that they will facilitate a search for new answers, as well as lead to a presentation of these results in more exact language. Finally, examples are offered of how the new terms can be applied to a selection of texts.

Article from Volume 1 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Stanley E. Porter and Brook W.R. Pearson (University of Surrey Roehampton, London, England )

'Why the Split? Christians and Jews by the Fourth Century', JGRChJ 1 (2000)

There has been much recent discussion of the split between Judaism and Christianity. Much of the discussion has been concerned with modern categories, and fails to place the separation within the larger context of the ancient world. This is especially true with regard to its bearing upon developments in the ancient world, including the growth of Christianity, up to the fourth century or Late Antique period. However, it seems that there are several pertinent questions about the development of this split between Judaism and early Christianity that have a direct bearing on several important elements within this period. Perhaps the most obvious question (and the one to which many have tried to provide an answer) relates to the defining characteristics of the split.

Article from Volume 1 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Craig A. Evans (Acadia Divinity College, Nova Scotia, Canada )

'Mark's Incipit and the Priene Calendar Inscription: From Jewish Gospel to Greco-Roman Gospel', JGRChJ 1 (2000)

It was against the setting of Roman cynicism that the Markan evangelist dared to put forward the Christian gospel and declare that the true son of God was Jesus, the Messiah of Israel and 'king of the Jews'-not some would-be Roman emperor. Despite rejection at the hands of his own people (and the most important people, as importance would have been measured at that time), and a shameful death at the hands of the most powerful people, Jesus was indeed the son of God, humanity's true Savior and Lord. Mark's purpose is to narrate the story of Jesus in such a way that such a confession will appear compelling and plausible to Jews and Romans alike.

Article from Volume 1 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Shaye J.D. Cohen (Brown University, Providence, RI)

'False Prophets (4Q339), Netinim (4Q340), and Hellenism at Qumran', JGRChJ 1 (2000)

The creation of thematic lists based on data from a closed 'canon' of authoritative texts is an expression of Hellenistic textual scholarship. Ever since the nineteenth century, scholars have postulated the influence of Hellenistic scholarship on the textual scholarship of the Jews, especially the rabbis. The Qumran list of false prophets (4Q339) and perhaps also the list of netinim (4Q340) provide our earliest evidence for the penetration of this type of scholarship into Jewish circles, both those that wrote in Hebrew and those that wrote in Aramaic.

Article from Volume 1 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Chrys C. Caragounis (Lund University, Sweden)

'Dionysios Halikarnasseus, the Art of Composition and the Apostle Paul', JGRChJ 1 (2000)

Dionysios Halikarnasseus was one of the most important literary critics of a generation or two before Paul, and who may rightly be taken as a representative of Greek literary tastes in general. Paul not infrequently exhibits elements that were deemed by Dionysios necessary to good composition, but seldom made a conscious effort to adhere to literary rules for elegance in style. Thus, his more felicitous choices of words and compositions seem most of the time to be the result of instinctive feeling and natural taste. Content was more important to Paul than form. But being a great and original thinker, a versatile writer with a fair grasp of the Greek language, and believing himself to have been entrusted with a message and a mission of momentous importance, it was inevitable that he would give expression to such spontaneous dynamism, and by it lay a claim for a place in Greek literature.

Article from Volume 1 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Amphilochios Papathomas (Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna)

'A New Testimony to the Letter to the Hebrews', JGRChJ 1 (2000)

The papyrus fragment P.Vindob. G 42417 offers a new testimony to the New Testament Letter to the Hebrews. The fragment measures 3.3 x 5.2 cm.; its margins are no longer extant; there are parts of Heb. 2.9-11 on its recto and Heb. 3.3-6 on its verso. The script runs along the fibres on the recto, and across the fibres on the verso. With plates.

Article from Volume 1 of Journal of Greco-Roman Christianity and Judaism by Pieter W. Van der Horst (University of Utrecht, The Netherlands)

'Ancient Jewish Bibliomancy', JGRChJ 1 (2000)

The increasing centrality of the Torah in Judaism in the post-exilic period led to a heightened sense of holiness of the Torah. In the Hebrew Bible, the Torah itself is not yet adorned with the epithet 'holy'. One sees this starting to happen only in the Hellenistic period. Not surprisingly, inspiration theories on the genesis of this Holy Scripture soon begin to make their appearance. And it is in exactly the same period that we also see the beginnings of the use of the Torah for bibliomantic purposes. Bibliomancy is the practice of using the Bible in order to get to know what God has in store for individuals or groups, not by reading the biblical text but by using it as a lot oracle.