Philip A. Harland and Richard Last consider the economics of early Christian group life within its social, cultural and economic contexts, by drawing on extensive epigraphic and archaeological evidence. In exploring the informal associations, immigrant groups, and guilds that dotted the world of the early Christians, Harland
and Last provide fresh perspective on the question of how Christian assemblies and Judean/Jewish gatherings gained necessary resources to pursue their social, religious, and additional aims.
By considering both neglected archaeological discoveries and literary evidence, the authors analyse financial and material aspects of group life, both sources of income and various areas of expenditure. Harland and Last then turn to the use of material resources for mutual support of members in various groups, including the importance of burial and the practice of interest-free loans. Christian and Judean evidence is explored throughout this book, culminating in a discussion of texts detailing the internal financial life of Christian assemblies as seen in first and second century sources, including Paul, the Didache, Justin Martyr, and Tertullian. In shedding new light on early Christian financial organisation, this volume aids further understanding of how some Christian groups survived and developed in the Greco-Roman world.
Author(s): Philip A. Harland, Richard Last
Series: Criminal Practice
Publisher: T&T Clark
Year: 2020
Language: English
Pages: 256
City: London
Cover page
Halftitle page
Title page
Copyright page
Contents
Figures and Tables
Acknowledgements
Epigraphic and Papyrological Abbreviations
Introduction
Progression
Scholarly context
Defining associations
A note on reading ancient sources on the AGRW website and on course usage
1 Who Belonged to Associations?
Introduction
Two scholarly models: Relatively wealthy, or poor?
Implications for debates on Jesus adherents
How many belonged to associations?
Socioeconomic levels and the improbability of the ‘middling wealth’ model
Conclusion
2 Scenarios of Success, Survival and Decline
Introduction
Scenario One: Exceeding material means – Decline or dissolution
Scenario Two: Functioning just within material means – Survival
Scenario Three: Functioning well within material means – Success
Cases of longevity
Conclusion
3 Starting an Association: Collective and Individual Agency
Introduction
Challenging a scholarly tradition
Foundation narratives and material struggles
Assessing the significance of individual founders
Founders and family heroes
Conclusion
4 Counting the Costs of Communal Life
Introduction
Reflections on strains and survival
Meeting places and properties
Writing and archiving
Monumentalizing and honouring benefactors
Burying or commemorating members
Honouring deities and feasting with friends
Conclusion
5 Acquiring Resources
Introduction
Benefaction from external or internal supporters
Rents, endowments and interest from loans
Regular membership contributions and fines
The common fund
Conclusion
6 Communal Collections Part 1: Fund-Raising and Group Values
Introduction
Collections on Delos and nearby islands in the Hellenistic era
Organizing collections
Fishermen at Ephesos and communal economic interests
Conclusion
7 Communal Collections Part 2: Associations Devoted to the Israelite God
Introduction
Judean collections to support ancestral customs
Other Judean collections
Jesus adherents and collections
Conclusion
8 Mutual Assistance and Group Cohesion
Introduction
Defining social capital
Internal benefactions as mutual support
Egypt in the Hellenistic era
Egypt in the Roman era
The eastern Mediterranean
Judeans settled in Egypt
Groups of Jesus adherents
Conclusion
Conclusion
APPENDIX Women Participating in Associations, 1st Century bce –2nd Century ce
Bibliography
Index of Inscriptions and Papyri
Index of Ancient Literary Sources
Index of Modern Scholars
Subject Index
