Hidden Criticism of the Angry Tyrant in Early Judaism and the Acts of the Apostles

Download or read book Hidden Criticism of the Angry Tyrant in Early Judaism and the Acts of the Apostles written by Drew J. Strait and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2019-07-31 with total page 439 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Hidden Criticism of the Angry Tyrant in Early Judaism and the Acts of the Apostles adds to the current literature of imperial-critical New Testament readings with an examination of Luke’s hidden criticism of imperial Rome in the Acts of the Apostles and in Paul’s speech on the Areopagus in Acts 17. Focusing on discursive resistance in the Hellenistic world, Drew J. Strait examines the relationship between hidden criticism and persuasion and between subordinates and the powerful, and he explores the challenge to the dissident voice to communicate criticism while under surveillance. Strait argues that Luke confronts the idolatrous power and iconic spectacle of gods and kings with the Gospel of the Lord of all—a worldview that is incompatible with the religions of Rome, including emperor worship.