Reflections on Power and Authority in Early Christian Communities

This edited collection considers the concept of power in the New Testament and early Christian writings.

Ronald Clark, Stanley Helton, Anne Moore, and their contributors contend that power in South West Asia and North Africa was not only a desired commodity, but an important tool to navigate the ancient Honor/Shame climate. Bringing together both early career and established scholars with ministry leaders, the essays herein explore the positive uses of power to foster peace and shalom in Early Christian communities. Drawing from sociological, rhetorical, feminist, postcolonial, and empire-critical methodologies, the contributors examine how authority is constructed, displaced, and reimagined through figures such as Jesus, Paul, and individuals in the Roman Empire. The essays herein engage with classical theories (Weber, Arendt, Foucault, Lukes), analyze key biblical texts (Matthew, Luke, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians), and reflect on the socio-political context of Roman imperialism. In doing so, the book challenges traditional interpretations and offers fresh insights into leadership, identity, and theological ethics in early Christianity.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GRXFBPJM
• ISBN13: 9798765189320
• Release Date: November 2026
• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"