The New Testament and empire: on the importance of theory

Abstract

Discussions on the relationship between empires and biblical texts can benefit greatly from the theorisation of empire. It entails perceiving empire as a constantly constructed entity, by both the powerful and the subjugated, as well as the concomitant responses situated in attraction to and subversion of empire, i.e. its negotiation. The discussion is primarily related to the 1st century CE context, but finds important sociorhetorical antecedents in ancient Israelite history and textual traditions.