Render to Caesar : Jesus, the Early Church, and the Roman Superpower

At the end of the 20th century, "postcolonialism" described the effort to understand the experience of those who had lived under colonial rule. This kind of thinking has inevitably brought about a reexamination of the rise of Christianity, which took place under Roman colonial rule. How did Rome look from the viewpoint of an ordinary Galilean in the first century of the Christian era? What should this mean for our own understanding of and relationship to Jesus of Nazareth? In the past, Jesus was often "depoliticized," treated as a religious teacher imparting timeless truths for all people. Now, however, many scholars see Jesus as a political leader whose goal was independence from Roman rule so that the people could renew their traditional way of life under the rule of God. In Render to Caesar, Christopher Bryan reexamines the attitude of the early Church toward imperial Rome. Choosing a middle road, he asserts that Jesus and the early Christians did indeed have a critique of the Roman superpower -- a critique that was broadly in line with the entire biblical and prophetic tradition. One cannot worship the biblical God, the God of Israel, he argues, and not be concerned about justice in the here and now. On the other hand, the biblical tradition does not challenge human power structures by attempting to dismantle them or replace them with other power structures. Instead, Jesus' message consistently confronts such structures with the truth about their origin and purpose. Their origin is that God permits them. Their purpose is to promote God's peace and justice. Power is understood as a gift from God, a gift that it is to be used to serve God's will and a gift that can be taken away by God when misused. Render to Caesar transforms our understanding of early Christians and their relationship to Rome and demonstrates how Jesus' teaching continues to challenge those who live under structures of government quite different from those that would have been envisaged by the authors of the New Testament. In Render To Caesar, Christopher Bryan Reexamines The Attitude Of The Early Church Toward Imperial Rome. Choosing A Middle Road, He Asserts That Jesus And The Early Christians Did Indeed Have A Critique Of The Roman Superpower - A Critique That Was Broadly In Line With The Entire Biblical And Prophetic Tradition. One Cannot Worship The Biblical God, The God Of Israel, He Argues, And Not Be Concerned About Justice In The Here And Now. On The Other Hand, The Biblical Tradition Does Not Challenge Human Power Structures By Attempting To Dismantle Them Or Replace Them With Other Power Structures. Instead, Jesus' Message Consistently Confronts Such Structures With The Truth About Their Origin And Purpose. Their Origin Is That God Permits Them. Their Purpose Is To Promote God's Peace And Justice. Power Is Understood As A Gift From God, A Gift That Is To Be Used To Serve God's Will And A Gift That Can Be Taken Away By God When Misused. Render To Caesar Transforms Our Understanding Of Early Christians And Their Relationship To Rome And Demonstrates How Jesus' Teaching Continues To Challenge Those Who Live Under Structures Of Government Quite Different From Those That Would Have Been Envisaged By The Authors Of The New Testament.--jacket. Israel And Empire: From The Egyptians To The Greeks -- Israel And Empire: From The Maccabees To The War Against Rome -- Jesus And Empire: The Teacher And The Man Of Deed -- Jesus, Violence, And Non-violence -- Jesus And Empire: The Crucified -- The Gospel Passion Narratives As Historical Sources -- Two Jewish Witnesses To The Death Of Jesus -- Did The Sanhedrin In The Time Of Jesus Have Authority To Execute The Death Penalty? -- Jesus' Followers And The Roman Empire: Paul -- Jesus' Followers And The Roman Empire: Luke, 1 Peter, And Revelation --further Thoughts On The Imperial Rhetoric, And John The Seer's Relationship To It -- Empires Ancient And Modern -- Unscientific Postscript -- Further Remarks On Literary Treatments Of The Abandonment Of Responsibility. Christopher Bryan. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [131]-174) And Indexes. ## Abstract Several recent studies have raised postcolonial issues in relation to the biblical texts. Render to Caesar aims to address that conversation and to offer some critique. Chapter 1 discusses Israel’s traditions about empire and its attitudes toward international superpowers as it experienced them from the Egyptians to the Greeks. Chapter 2 considers the same question during the period from the Maccabees to the War with Rome and its aftermath. Against this background, chapter 3 examines what we may know or surmise of the teaching and ministry of Jesus and considers its likely significance vis-à-vis Rome and Roman imperium. Chapter 4 does the same with the passion narratives. Chapters 5 and 6 turn to other early Christian witnesses, namely Paul, Luke-Acts, 1 Peter, and the Book of Revelation. Chapter 7 reflects on appropriate and possibly inappropriate relationships between the study of first- century Israel and Rome, and contemporary postcolonial insights. A concluding “unscientific postscript” reflects on the possible significance of this for our own understanding of empire and “superpower status,” then and now. Bryan reexamines the attitude of the early Church toward imperial Rome, exploring how far the early Christian critique of Roman power extended & finding its roots in the established biblical & prophetic tradition If postcolonial studies have taught us anything, it is surely that in examining historical situations, we must listen for the voices of those who were ruled as well as for the voices of those who ruled them.