Early Christianity, Mission, and the Survival of the Poor in the Graeco-Roman World
If the poor survived in the ancient world, it was primarily through networks of mutual support, in which kin, friends and neighbours helped each other through periods of crisis. Christians formed new, trustworthy networks, mostly among the poor, in which, despite limited resources, they supported on...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Norwegian Bokmål |
| Published: |
Scandinavian University Press
2019-01-01
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| Series: | Teologisk Tidsskrift |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.idunn.no/tt/2019/04/early_christianity_mission_and_the_survival_of_the_poor_i |
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| Summary: | If the poor survived in the ancient world, it was primarily through networks of mutual support,
in which kin, friends and neighbours helped each other through periods of crisis. Christians formed
new, trustworthy networks, mostly among the poor, in which, despite limited resources, they
supported one another as “siblings”. Importantly, these networks were open, and the spread of early
Christianity was related to “the strength of weak ties”, where acts of benevolence, including care
for the sick, formed bridges into pagan households. Christian theology supported this dynamic by the
assurance of divine reciprocation and by situating believers” benevolence within the generosity of
God in Christ. |
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| ISSN: | 1893-0263 1893-0271 |