Does the New Testament Imitate Homer? : Four Cases From the Acts of the Apostles

In this provocative challenge to prevailing views of New Testament sources, Dennis R. MacDonald argues that the origins of passages in the book of Acts are to be found not in early Christian legends but in the epics of Homer. MacDonald focuses on four passages in the book of Acts, examines their potential parallels in the __Iliad,__ and concludes that the author of Acts composed them using famous scenes in Homer’s work as a model. Tracing the influence of passages from the __Iliad__ onsubsequent ancient literature, MacDonald shows how the story generated a vibrant, mimetic literary tradition long before Luke composed the Acts. Luke could have expected educated readers to recognize his transformation of these tales and to see that the Christian God and heroes were superior to Homeric gods and heroes. Building upon and extending the analytic methods of his earlier book, __The Homeric Epics and the Gospel of Mark,__ MacDonald opens an original and promising appreciation not only of Acts but also of the composition of early Christian narrative in general. In this provocative challenge to prevailing views of New Testament sources, Dennis MacDonald argues that the origins of passages in the book of "Acts" are to be found not in early Christian legends but in the epics of Homer. MacDonald focuses on four passages in the book of "Acts", examines their potential parallels in the "Iliad" and concludes that the author of "Acts" composed them using famous scenes in Homer's work as a model. Tracing the influence of passages from the "Iliad" on subsequent ancient literature, MacDonald shows how the story generated a vibrant, mimetic literary tradition long before Luke composed the "Acts". Luke could have expected educated readers to recognize his transformation of these tales and to see that the Christian God and heroes were superior to Homeric gods and heroes. Building upon and extending the analytic methods of his earlier book, "The Homeric Epics and the Gospel of Mark", MacDonald opens an original and promising appreciation not only of "Acts" but also of the composition of early Christian narrative in general In this provocative challenge to prevailing views of New Testament sources, Dennis R. MacDonald argues that the origins of passages in the book of Acts are to be found not in early Christian legends but in the epics of Homer. MacDonald focuses on four passages in the book of Acts, examines their potential parallels in the Iliad, and concludes that the author of Acts composed them using famous scenes in Homer’s work as a model. Tracing the influence of passages from the Iliad on subsequent ancient literature, MacDonald shows how the story generated a vibrant, mimetic literary tradition long before Luke composed the Acts. Luke could have expected educated readers to recognize his transformation of these tales and to see that the Christian God and heroes were superior to Homeric gods and heroes. Building upon and extending the analytic methods of his earlier book, The Homeric Epics and the Gospel of Mark, MacDonald opens an original and promising appreciation not only of Acts but also of the composition of early Christian narrative in general. Contents 7 Acknowledgments 9 Introduction 13 Part One: The Visions of Cornelius and Peter and Iliad 2 31 1. Cornelius and Peter 31 2. Lying Dream and True Portent 35 3. More Dreams and Portents 41 4. The Visions of Cornelius and Peter 56 5. Local Legend or Homeric Imitation? 68 Part Two: Paul’s Farewell at Miletus and Iliad 6 81 6. Hector’s Farewell to Andromache 81 7. Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders 86 8. Jewish Testament or Homeric Imitation? 105 Part Three: The Selection of Matthias and Iliad 7 117 9. The Selection of Ajax to Face Hector 117 10. The Selection of Matthias to Replace Judas 119 11. Jerusalem Legend or Homeric Imitation? 125 Part Four: Peter’s Escape from Prison and Iliad 24 135 12. Priam’s Escape from Achilles and Its Imitators 135 13. Alexander’s Escape from Darius 143 14. Peter’s Escape from Herod 149 15. Hellenistic Legend or Homeric Imitation? 153 Conclusion 158 Appendix. Greek and Latin Parallels 165 Abbreviations 179 Notes 183 Bibliography 221 Index 233

In 1936, twenty-year-old Edward Weismiller became the youngest poet to win the prestigious Yale Series of Younger Poets prize. Today, more than sixty years later, he retains that distinction. Yale University Press here reintroduces Edward Weismiller - now the oldest living Younger Poet - with the publication of his latest book of poetry. Weismiller’s is "a talent that has kept faith with itself and its sources," says W. S. Merwin, current judge of the Younger Poets Series.

In Walking Toward the Sun, youthful lyricism has given way to plainness of speech - even spareness. These poems are honest and unflinching, always striking in their prosody. They will remind some readers of Yeats, for they convey nobility in the face of old age, infirmity, and disappointment. Weismiller sings powerfully about a world of loss, but he is never grim or despairing. The poet in old age remains hopeful, open to possibility, and always aware of beauty in the smallest places.