The Book of Acts in the Setting of Hellenistic History

Colin J. Hemer

edited by Conrad H. Gempf

Eisenbrauns

Winona Lake, Indiana

1990

Third Printing, 2008

Published 1990 by Eisenbrauns, Winona Lake, Indiana, by special arrangement with J. C. B. Mohr (Paul Siebeck), D-7400 Tübingen. Originally published as volume 49 in the series Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament.

© Copyright 1989 by J. C. B. Mohr (Paul Siebeck).

This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form (beyond that permitted by copyright law) without the written permission of J. C. B. Mohr (Paul Siebeck). This applies particularly to reproductions, translations, microfilms, and storage and processing in electronic systems.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Hemer, Colin J.

The book of Acts in the setting of Hellenistic history / Colin J. Hemer; edited by Conrad H. Gempf.

p. cm.

Reprint. Originally published: Tübingen: J. C. B. Mohr, © 1989. (Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament; 49)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 0-931464-58-7

1. Bible. N.T. Acts—History of contemporary events. I. Gempf, Conrad H. II. Title. III. Series: Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament; 49.

BS2625.2.H415 1990

226.6’067—dc20

90-45799

Contents

Foreword

Preface

Principal Abbreviations

Chapter 1: Acts and Historicity

The Neglect of Historicity

Historicity and Scholarship

The Objections to an Attempt to Reopen the Question

The Importance of Historicity

Conclusions

Chapter 2: Preliminary Questions

The Unity of Luke-Acts

The Genre of Luke-Acts

The Meaning of Historicity

Approaches to the Question

The Textual Problem

Sources for the Context

Chapter 3: Ancient Historiography

Preliminary: The Problem of ‘Parallels’

Literature about Ancient Historiography

Topics Illustrating the Diversity of Ancient Historiographical Practice

Biography as an Alternative Model for the Historiography of Luke

Luke and Josephus

Conclusions

Chapter 4: Types of Knowledge Displayed in Acts

Common Knowledge

Specialized Knowledge

Specific Local Knowledge

Chapter 5: Evidence from Historical Details in Acts

Correlations of Date with Ostensible Chronology

Details Broadly Suggestive of Date

Correlations between Acts and Epistles

Latent Internal Correlations within Acts

Details Involving Differences between Alexandrian and Western Texts

Unstudied Allusions

Differences of Formulation within Acts

Peculiar Selection of Detail

Immediacy in Details

Idioms or Cultural Features Suggestive of Date of Composition

Interrelated Complexes Leading to Larger Areas of Historical Reconstruction

New Background Information: Unfinished Tasks

Uncheckable Details

Implications

Excursus: Names and Titles in Acts

Local Names and Titles Illustrative of the Text

‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Luke’

Place-Names and Ethnic Titles in Acts and the Inscriptions

Chapter 6: Acts and Epistles

Introduction

The ‘Theological Disparity’ between Paul and Luke

The Heart of the Historical Question

Chronology

Integration: ...

Content not shown in limited preview…
BASHH

About The Book of Acts in the Setting of Hellenistic History

Of the New Testament books, Acts contains the most obvious ties to its cultural and historical context. But until very recently, most twentieth-century authors have bypassed discussion of the relation of Acts to the world and history around it. In this book, Colin Hemer examines various strands of interlocking historical data—ranging from the epistles of Paul to records of the corn fleet that sailed from Alexandria. The wealth of new literary, epigraphic, and papyrological data brings fresh light to numerous details as well as to the central question of Luke’s conception of Paul’s visit to Jerusalem. The result is a broader understanding of the Hellenistic world in general and a greater appreciation for Acts as a coherent and consistent product of its day.

Support Info

bkctshllnstchst

Table of Contents