Friendship and Benefaction in James

by Alicia J Batten

Overview

Employing social description, social scientific models, and rhetorical analysis, Alicia J. Batten argues that the letter of James is conversant with the topic of friendship within Greek and Roman literature, as well as within various texts of early Christianity. She illustrates how James drew upon some of the language and concepts related to friendship with an intriguing density to advocate resistance to wealth, avoidance of rich patrons, and reliance upon God.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780884142461
Publisher:	SBL Press
Publication date:	06/02/2017
Series:	Emory Studies in Early Christianity
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

Alicia J. Batten is Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Theological Studies at Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo, Canada. She serves on several academic editorial boards and is currently writing a commentary on the Letter of James for the Illuminations Commentary Series (Eerdmans).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1: Introduction

Structure and Method

Chapter 2: Friendship in Antiquity

Introduction

Virtues of Friends

‘One Mind/Soul’

‘All in Common’

Friendship and Fictive Kinship Language

Friendship with God

Conclusion

Chapter 3: Friendship, Patronage, and Benefaction

Introduction

Friendship, Politics, and Society

Benefaction

Patronage

Patronage, Friendship, and Flattery

Conclusion

Chapter 4: The Exordium: James 1:2-18

Introduction

James as a Letter

James and Rhetoric

James 1:2-18

Conclusion

Chapter 5: A Challenge to Patronage

Introduction

James 2:1-13

James 2:14-26

Conclusion

Chapter 6: Friendship with God: James 3:13-4:10

Introduction

James 3:13-4:10

Conclusion

Chapter 7: Conclusion

Introduction

Patronage as an Exigence

Audience

Rhetorical Constraints

Conclusion

Bibliography

Index of Modern Authors

Index of Biblical and Other References