World Upside Down : Reading Acts in the Graeco-Roman Age

No longer can Acts be seen as a simple apologia that articulates Christianity''s harmlessness vis-à-vis Rome. Rather, in its attempt to form communities that witness to God''s apocalypse, author Kavin Rowe argues that Luke''s second volume is a highly charged and theologically sophisticated political document. Luke aims at nothing less than the construction of a new culture - a total pattern of life - that inherently runs counter to the constitutive aspects of Graeco-Roman society.

For almost 300 years, the dominant trend in New Testament interpretation has been to read the Acts of the Apostles as a document that argues for the political possibility of harmonious co-existence between ''Rome'' and the early Christian movement. Kavin Rowe argues that the time is long overdue for a sophisticated, critically constructive reappraisal. "A brilliant piece of work by a young scholar of considerable promise."--First Things"This well-written, well-argued book is a must read for New Testament scholars." -- Review of Biblical Literature "This sophisticated argument offers a comprehensive vision of Acts and deserves a wide readership." -- Religious Studies Review"There is so much happening in these pages that a slow and careful read will provoke sustained thoughts on a variety of subjects of ecclesial interest ranging from Christianity and culture to issues of tolerance and political theology." -- Themelios