Coping with Violence in the New Testament

Pieter G.R. de Villiers, D.Th. (1976), University of Stellenbosch, is Professor Extraordinarius of New Testament at the University of the Free State. He has published extensively on apocalyptic literature, mysticism and violence/peace in the New Testament. Jan Willem van Henten, Ph.D. (1986) in Theology, University of Leiden, is Professor of New Testament at the University of Amsterdam. He has published extensively on ancient martyrdom, apocalypticism and Josephus including Martyrdom and Noble Death (2002, with F. Avemarie).

"Die internationale Diskussion um 'Gewalt und Religion' wird mit dieser Veröffentlichung bereichert. Der Band zeigt, dass auch die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft sich an dem anstehenden theologisch-kulturwissenschaftlichen Dialog beteiligen kann und muss." ["The international discussion about 'Violence and Religion' is enriched by this publication. This volume shows that also New Testament scholars can participate in the ongoing theological and cultural debate, and that they should."] – Eckart Reinmuth, Rostock, in: Theologische Literaturzeitung 138"The value of this work lies in its questions. [...] De Villiers, in his concluding contribution, raises perhaps the most profound question: does violence reside 'in the character of God'?" – Jordan Daniel Wood, Saint Louis University, USA, in: International Journal of Public Theology 8 (2014)"This collection is to be commended for several reasons. First, [...] all the essays exhibit much methodological sophistication and display extensive knowledge of theories on violence and previous works that address violence in the New Testament. [...] Secondly, several essays bring their reflection on biblical texts to bear on the context of violence in contemporary societies. [...] Finally, the essays thoroughly identify and describe the instances, contexts, and functions of violent language in the New Testament." – Jean-François Racine, Santa Clara University, in: Theological Studies 75/1 (2014), 209-220

• PrefaceJan Willem van Henten (University of Amsterdam, University of Stellenbosch), Pieter G.R. de Villiers (University of the Free State)Part IINTRODUCTORY ESSAYSChapter One: Religion, Bible and ViolenceJan Willem van Henten (University of Amsterdam, University of Stellenbosch)Chapter Two: Violence in the New Testament and the Roman Empire: Ambivalence, Othering, AgencyJeremy Punt (University of Stellenbosch)Part IICASE STUDIESChapter Three: Paul’s Version of “Turning the Other Cheek”. Rethinking Violence and ToleranceAndries van Aarde (University of Pretoria)Chapter Four: Violence in the Letter to the Galatians?Francois Tolmie (University of the Free State)Chapter Five: A Godfighter Becomes a Fighter for GodRob van Houwelingen (Theological University Kampen)Chapter Six: Jesus and Violence: An Ideological-Critical Reading of the Tenants in Mark 12:1-12Ernest van Eck (University of Pretoria)Chapter Seven: The Use of Violence in Punishing Adultery in Biblical Texts (Deuteronomy 22:13-29 and John 7:53-8:11)Wim Weren (Tilburg University)Chapter Eight: Violence in a Gospel of LoveJan van der Watt (Radboud University of Nijmegen, University of Pretoria) and Jacobus Kok (University of Pretoria)Chapter Nine: Images of War and Creation, of Violence and Non-Violence in the Revelation of JohnPaul B. Decock (University of KwaZulu-Natal, St. Joseph’s Theological Institute)Chapter Ten: Exegetical Perspectives on Violence in Revelation 18Pieter G.R. de Villiers (University of the Free State)Chapter Eleven: The Eschatological Battle according to the Book of Revelation: Perpectives on Revelation 19:11-21Tobias Nicklas (University of Regensburg)Part IIIEPILOGUEChapter Twelve: Hermeneutical Perspectives on Violence in the New TestamentPieter G.R. de Villiers (University of the Free State)BibliographySubject Index