Illiterate Apostles: Uneducated Early Christians and the Literates Who Loved Them

Allen Hilton

2018年4月 · Bloomsbury Publishing

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192

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关于此电子书

Allen Hilton examines how pagan critics ridiculed the early Christians for being uneducated, and how a few literate Christians took up pen to defend the illiterate members of their churches. Hilton sheds light on the peculiarity of this “defense”, in which the authors openly admit that the critics have the facts on their side, noting that the Book of Acts even calls two of its heroes, Peter and John, illiterates. Why did the authors of these biblical texts, intent on presenting Christianity in a positive light, volunteer such a negative detail?

The answer to this question reveals a fascinating social exchange that first surrounded education levels in antiquity, and proceeded to make its way into the New Testament. This volume provides context for pagan education as opposed to early Christian illiteracy – touching upon the methods of ancient learning and the relationship between Christian and pagan schools – and analyses the 'uneducated virtue' of the Apostles. Hilton provides a useful window onto the social construction of ancient education and ushers readers into the everyday experience of ancient Christians, and those who disdained and defended them.

作者简介

Allen R. Hilton, a former Assistant Professor of New Testament at Yale Divinity School, USA, now consults with seminaries, churches, and corporations on team building across lines of political difference.