Who Were The Magi?

From Gabriel's announcement in Nazareth to the crowded streets of Bethlehem, from the enthusiasm of the shepherds outside the town to the presentation at the Temple and Simeon's song of praise, the story of Jesus' birth is surrounded by Jewish hope. But Matthew, in his account of the nativity, introduces this puzzling band of worshipers from a foreign culture and a pagan priesthood; Matthew's Gospel brings a presence into the Messianic birth narrative that seems shockingly out of place. What interest did the magi have in the birth of a Jewish King?

Pauline Paternity in 1 Thessalonians

What were the Jewish and Greco-Roman views of fatherhood that informed two aspects of Paul’s relationship as "father"—hierarchy/authority and affection—towards his "children" in 1 Thessalonians? Paul had a relationship of hierarchy similar to that of the paterfamilias (head of the household) in society who assumed the responsibility for socializing his children into the community.

Midrash as Creative Historiography: Portrait of a Misnomer

The term “midrash” is frequently used in discussions in New Testament scholarship and research in the Gospels in particular. Unfortunately, there is no unified understanding of its meaning. It can refer to a rabinnic method of interpretation of Scripture. Sometimes it is used as a reference to a creative historiography where there is very little connection to real history.

Challenging the Authority of Jesus: Mark 11:27–33 and Mediterranean Notions of Honour and Shame

How important is a good understanding of the cultural world of the early Christians? This article wants to examine carefully Jesus' encounter with some of his adversaries narrated in Mark 11:27-33. The author highlights the way that the values of honour and shame functioned in Mediterranean culture, and illumines the text at crucial points.