Full Description
The conception of "powers" and "principalities" in Paul's thought and that of his successors has been amply explored - but how was this conception expressed? How did the powers "work" in the Pauline community? Robert Moses argues that Paul's conception of the powers is unintelligible without a detailed account of the practices he advocates for the early believers. In this detailed study, Moses shows that Paul believed certain practices guarded believers from the dominion of the powers; other practices, however, exposed humans to the work of powers of darkness. Moses traces the distinct function of "power-practices" in each of Paul's letters and draws illuminating comparisons with traditional African religious practices.
Contents
1. Introduction; Part 1Interpreting the Powers; 3. A Proposed Way Forward: Practices; Part 2: Practices for Engaging the Powers in the Pauline Communities; 4. Baptism as Deliverance from the Powers: Romans; 5. Cross-Centered Preaching and Church Discipline as Confrontation with the Powers: 1 & 2 Corinthians; 6. Bondage under the Elements: Galatians; 7. Rescue from the Power of Darkness: Colossians; 8. Summary: What are the Powers for Paul?; Part 3: A Cross-cultural Perspective; 9. The Powers in Cross-Cultural Context: Africa; Reference Works; Bibliography.