This study focuses on Paul's theological understanding of grace within the framework of benefaction in ancient Mediterranean world. Amidst various forms of asymmetrical reciprocal exchange, which permeated social relationships in these societies, Paul deliberately chose another path. His theological reflections on charis, as well as his leadership and social interactions with his churches, reflect an intentional shift away from reciprocity to charis, as well as from euergetism to selfless service. Paul's theology of charis introduces a fresh understanding of God who freely extends his...

Many New Testament researchers accept that Mark 13 functions as an apocalypse. But, does this assumption reflect the purpose of the eschatological discourse that Mark the evangelist places in Jesus' mouth? This book investigates Mark 13 in order to answer the question of whether the evangelist also utilizes Jewish apocalypticism as the matrix to the query of the four disciples (Peter, James, John, and Andrew): When will the Temple be destroyed, and what sign will there be that it is all about to take place? The book concludes that the Markan Jesus employs apocalyptic language, but turns his...

Born in Pretoria, South Africa, Abraham (Abe) J. Malherbe (1930-2012) taught Theology of New Testament and Early Christianity at Abilene Christian University and was Buckingham Professor of New Testament Criticism and Literature Emeritus at Yale Divinity School. A member of The Society of Biblical Literature for over 50 years, Abe was a highly productive scholar who made major contributions in several areas. This festschrift in honor of Prof. Abe Malherbe is the product of South African and international scholars honoring the memory of a great New Testament scholar. (Series: Theology in...

At the current rate of growth, some researchers predict there will be one billion Pentecostals by 2025, with most of them located in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In this volume professor Marius Nel speaks his mind from an African perspective on what is distinctive about Pentecostal Theology in contradistinction to other theological paradigms. What makes a Pentecostal spirituality and hermeneutic different? Africa has much to contribute to the discussion of Pentecostal Theology, and this voice of Nel will not only stimulate this discussion, but will co-determine the progress and outcome....

This study emphasizes Paul's urgency in conveying the radical newness of life since the advent of Christ and his Spirit. Just as the Spirit introduces believers to the life in Christ, he equally leads them to live life in the faithfulness of Christ, producing the fruit of the Spirit. Paul describes this as a life of freedom from flesh and its law, as well as the elements of the world. Guiding believers ethically from inside and empowering them to do God's will, the Spirit has no need of law, making the christological pneumatological ethic of the new creation wholly anomistic. (Series:...