Honor, Patronage, Kinship & Purity: Unlocking New Testament Culture: deSilva, David A.: 9780830815722: Amazon.com: Books

As coming from an eastern country i can relate in most of the cultures been outlined in the book but at the same time I see that we are largely removed from it specially when reading the new testament scripture with modern eyes most of our people in the urban areas are gradually being influenced from the western worldview but most of the rural areas still inherit this kinds of culture. The book helps me to have a fresh look on the New Testament scriptures how this culture bleeds on the very letters of the new testament. It helps me more to take seriously the call of Jesus to deny ourselves.

This book is helpful to the aspiring biblical scholar and to the Christian layman. It situates the Bible firmly in its 1st Century mediterranean culture, first by exploring the contemporary texts, then examining the scriptures. At the end of the chapters dealing with scripture, he briefly writes on the practical applications of this knowledge, which is particularly useful. Some feel that he wrecks his book this way, by forcing 1st Century culture into the service of 21st century protestant evangelicalism. However, it is always presented as either a way to fulfill the Great Comission or how to apply the New Testament, a group of books nearly 2000 years old, to our modern lives. I recommend this above Bruce Malina's "The New Testament World" because of its clarity and practical application, although both are wonderfully informative.

Being required reading for class, I had to read through this one pretty quickly. However, this is one of the better resources for grasping a wide understanding of first century Greco-Roman and Jewish culture.DeSilva breaks the book up into four parts (Honor/Shame, Patronage/Client, Kinship, and Purity/Pollution). He systematically, rhythmically explores each topic as understood by the people groups at the time, how the New Testament speaks both FROM and INTO them, and how we can apply the understandings today in the modern 21st century church.My eyes were opened to much understanding that often goes beneath the surface "between the lines" in the words of the New Testament. Because of DeSilva's work, my understanding of Jesus Christ, his teachings, and his followers are on the verge of a deeper understanding. Cannot wait to go through the New Testament again after having read this one.

Scholarly text on Jewish and Christian cultures as well as cultures that surrounded both Israel and the early Christian church. Many valuable insights are had. One point made by the author is that often we are quick to criticize the Pharisees and Jews of Jesus' day for their standoffish nature but are blind to our own cultural fixations which can be just as contrary to the call of Jesus. Another sticking point was that of God's blessing Jesus and telling the disciples to listen to Him, implying they should view the teachings of Jesus as superior to that of the views of the day and therefore apply them. One point of contention would be comments on the unity of the church. While there is a level of agreement, where would one draw the line regarding heresy. When a whole entity is outside the NT teaching, is one to willingly embrace them and commune with them? The author brings this up but, in my humble opinion, leaves the door too wide open.

As the title of the book suggests, this book focuses on four main aspects of New Testament culture. As the headline of my review suggests, this book provides an enormous wealth of information in so doing. Specifically, the author discusses concepts related to the importance of honor and avoiding shame, descriptions of patron/client relations, common attitudes towards kin versus outsiders, and the importance of maintaining cleanliness and avoiding pollution. The author is knowledgeable and draws from an extensive range of sources to thoroughly expound on the specified topics. While the writing is clear and easy enough to follow, the text is a bit academic in nature and should not be considered a light read.It was exciting for me, but I'm a nerd.There were a number of topics discussed within the text that I found particularly enjoyable. Understanding first century Palestinian societies as being “agonistic” in nature, utilizing a challenge-riposte approach when vying for social status, brought a lot of clarity to the gospel accounts of religious authorities challenging Jesus in public spaces. Likewise, understanding how patrons would show “grace” to their clients and the clients would, in turn, respond by being “faithful” provided a new perspective for understanding biblical concepts of grace and faith. I found it intriguing that many ancient cultures would view the idea of treating kin the same way as you treat outsiders to be outright reprehensible and shameful – and it brings insight into how meaningful it was to consider fellow believers as family (fictive kinship). Considering purity laws as regulations supporting the orderly nature of things and the codified avoidance of what is seen as disorderly and out of place (“spit on the sidewalk,” for example) was very interesting, as well.I found the content on honor and shame to be particularly relevant to the current attitudinal climate concerning Christianity in the public square of the United States. Knowing the founders of my faith had to struggle against the current in their own culture, suffering slings and arrows of ridicule along the way, instills within me a sense of kinship with their hardships. In that sense, there is solidarity between us. When I suffer such ridicule, I can rest in the knowledge that I have not been alone in such suffering. In fact, being subjected to such shame should be in some sense normative for the Christian.This book is a delight and a gem. Reading it will provide greater insight into the culture and customs of second temple Judaism and first century Greco-Roman society, and how such customs are relevant to New Testament studies. If you're into that kind of thing, pick it up and give it a whirl.