Abstract

Ethnicity, tribalism and xenophobia could be found inside and outside church walls. Ethnicity and racism are natural, learned and nurtured in human beings. However, ethnic identity and relations exist whether the ethnic groups are competing or not. The first challenge of the early church in the New Testament Church was to overcome ethnicity and hostile divisions between Jews, Gentiles and Samaritans. This study aims at exploring how socio-historical influences and nature of the message of the New Testament managed to overcome ethnicity and ethnic divisions in the early New Testament Church. The study will also reflect on how the contemporary church could manage ethnicity within its structures and redefine its position on what it means to be one in Christ within the diverse church.

Highlights

  • This study aims at exploring how socio-historical influences and nature of the message of the New Testament managed to overcome ethnicity and ethnic divisions in the early New Testament Church

  • This study will investigate the question of how ethnicity was overcome in the early New Testament Church

  • The nature of the message of church played a major role in overcoming ethnicity and ethnic divisions in the early New Testament Church

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Racial divisions and hostilities between Jews, Gentiles and Samaritans in the New Testament had their roots in deep-seated differences of the Old Testament times. They were traced back to the invasion of 722 BC when the Assyrians carried away captives the ten northern tribes of Israel and repopulated the cities of Samaria with foreigners who intermarried with the remaining Jews (2 Kings 17:24, Figart 1973:89). To assist in the research the following structure will be used: overview of hostile cases of ethnicity in the New Testament Church, understanding God’s purpose for ethnicity and ethnic groups, the socio-historical influences overcoming ethnicity in the early New Testament Church and analysis of nature of the message of the New Testament Church.

Definition of terms
The case of ethnicity in the Church in Jerusalem
The case of ethnicity in the Church in Rome
The case of ethnicity in the Church in Corinth
Understanding God’s purpose for ethnicity and ethnic groups
God’s call extends to other ethnic groups
God’s purpose for ethnic identities
Influences of religious syncretism from the Greeks and Romans
Influences of political civil government from the Romans
Influences of the Jewish world milieu
The pluralistic nature of Judaism
The New Testament Church was pluralistic in system of government
The New Testament Church was presbuteroi in system of government
The New Testament was anti-ethnic in system of government
The New Testament was non-political in system of government
Study summary
Conclusion
Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.