Finding a Charge That Fits: the Accusation Against Paul and Silas At Philippi (Acts 16.19-21)
The charges against Paul and Silas at Philippi are normally taken to be disturbing the peace and introducing a foreign cult. But such charges do not fit the context. In particular, they are not appropriate given the action that precipitated them, namely, the exorcism of the prophesying slave-girl. T...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Sage
1999
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| In: |
Journal for the study of the New Testament
Year: 1999, Volume: 21, Issue: 74, Pages: 51-63 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | The charges against Paul and Silas at Philippi are normally taken to be disturbing the peace and introducing a foreign cult. But such charges do not fit the context. In particular, they are not appropriate given the action that precipitated them, namely, the exorcism of the prophesying slave-girl. Therefore, this essay suggests that the recorded charges are probably redactional. If the precipitating action is taken as the starting point it is clear that the actual charge would have been using magic to cause property damage and loss of livelihood. However, since Luke considers magic to have a satanic origin and he presents Christians as opposing magic he cannot allow Paul and Silas to be accused of it. Therefore, he plays down the accusation of magic and presents charges that can easily be refuted. |
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| ISSN: | 1745-5294 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal for the study of the New Testament
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1177/0142064X9902107403 |