The Origins of Early Christian Literature Contextualizing the New Testament within Greco-Roman Literary Culture
Book contents
- The Origins of Early Christian Literature
- The Origins of Early Christian Literature
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- Note on the Text
- Introduction
- 1 The Myth of Christian Origins
- 2 The Romantic “Big Bang”
- 3 Authorship in Antiquity
- 4 Redescribing Early Christian Literature
- 5 The Gospels as Subversive Biography
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Index
5 - The Gospels as Subversive Biography
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 January 2021
Book contents
- The Origins of Early Christian Literature
- The Origins of Early Christian Literature
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- Note on the Text
- Introduction
- 1 The Myth of Christian Origins
- 2 The Romantic “Big Bang”
- 3 Authorship in Antiquity
- 4 Redescribing Early Christian Literature
- 5 The Gospels as Subversive Biography
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
Chapter 5 argues that the Synoptic gospels can be read as a “subversive biography” in the tradition of similar treatments of notable underdogs like Alexander the Great in the Alexander Romance or the notorious Aesop. Situating the gospels securely within a new genre classification demonstrates their engagement with the literary culture of the imperial period. Thus, specific characteristics of Jesus’ portrayal in the Synoptics need not be a function of oral tradition, but a reflection of the rational interests of elite, imperial writers.
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- The Origins of Early Christian LiteratureContextualizing the New Testament within Greco-Roman Literary Culture, pp. 170 - 194Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021