Political Redemption

In an older article in CBQ , Elisabeth Fiorenza argues from Revelation 1:5f and 5:9f that “the author of the Apoc conceives of redemption and salvation in political-social categories and that he underlines the significance of the eschatological reservation for the sake of preventing salvation . . . . Continue Reading »

Sevenfold God

James Jordan points out that John gives seven titles to God in Revelation 1:4. There is a Trinitarian structure: “He who . . . Jesus Christ . . . seven Spirits.” That Trinitarian structure, though, unfolds in seven names, three for the Father, one for the Spirit, three for Jesus: 1. He . . . . Continue Reading »

Neither Common nor Unclean

We miss some of the radical force of Peter’s declaration in Acts 10:28 if we don’t keep OT distinctions of holiness and purity in mind. They are not the same category. Holiness is the opposite of common, pure the opposite of impure or unclean. One can be pure without being holy; . . . . Continue Reading »

Joining

When Peter speaks to the men from Cornelius, he reminds them that for Jews it is unlawful to “join” or “come to” men from any other nation. Both verbs are significant. “Join” can have a political sense; to join a community is to become a polites , citizen, of . . . . Continue Reading »