Travel among Early Christians: A Socio-theological Analysis of Pauline and Ignatian Communities

Jason Borges (Autor)

Buch | Hardcover

234 Seiten

2025
Brill (Verlag)
978-90-04-73597-2 (ISBN)

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Travel Among Early Christians examines how travel functioned as a formative practice among early Christians in Pauline and Ignatian communities, shaping their social identities and forming communal bonds across space.

Travel among Early Christians approaches intercommunal movement between churches as a valuable source of insights regarding social and theological aspects of early Christianity. Incorporating theories from mobility studies and ancient institutions that facilitated travel, Borges traces how travel functioned as a formative practice among early Christians’ group identities, and signified a new cosmic reality regarding their unity in Christ. Borges investigates six specific travel events in Pauline and Ignatian churches, noting how mobility became a distinctive and revealing aspect of early Christianity.

Jason Borges (Ph.D., Durham University) is Associate Director of the Asia Minor Research Center (Antalya, Turkey) and Adjunct Professor at Columbia International University. He is the author of Early Christians in Greco-Roman Cities (Baker Academic, 2016) and multiple articles on early Christianity.

Contents

Preface

List of Maps and Tables

Part 1 Interpreting Travel

1 Interpreting Travel among Early Christians

1.1 Interpretations of Early Christian Travel

1.2 Approaching Early Christian Travel

1.3 Defining Travel among Early Christians

2 A Model for Interpreting Travel

2.1 The Meaning of Travel

2.2 The Value of Travel

2.3 The Identity of Travelers and Hosts

2.4 Conclusions

Part 2 Travel among Pauline Communities

3 Paul’s Travel into Galatia

3.1 Paul’s Representation of Travel in Gal 4:12–20

3.2 The Theological Significance of Travel and Hospitality in Galatians

3.3 Conclusions

4 Philemon’s Persona as a Host

4.1 Introducing Travel in Phlm

4.2 The Geographical Context of Phlm

4.3 Philemon “Refreshing” the Saints

4.4 Philemon as a πρόξενος-Like Host

4.5 The Identity and Effects of Philemon’s Guests

4.6 Conclusions

5 Onesimus’ Departure and Return

5.1 Introducing Onesimus’ Travel

5.2 Onesimus’ Departure to Seek a Mediator

5.3 Onesimus’ Return as a Gospel Minister

5.4 Conclusions

Part 3Travel among Ignatian Communities

6 Ignatius Travel across Asia

6.1 From Antioch to Smyrna

6.2 Events in Smyrna

6.3 From Smyrna to Troas

6.4 From Troas to Rome

6.5 The Travel Logistics of Ignatius’ Group

6.6 Conclusions

7 The Churches’ Travel to Ignatius

7.1 The People Who Visited Ignatius

7.2 The Purpose of Visiting Ignatius

7.3 The Risks of Visiting Ignatius

7.4 The Motivations for Visiting Ignatius

7.5 Conclusions

8 The Churches’ Travel to Antioch

8.1 The Problem and “Peace” in Antioch

8.2 Ignatius’ Ambassadorial Language for the Churches’ Visit

8.3 Envoys and Intercivic Harmony

8.4 The Purpose of the Envoys to Antioch

8.5 Conclusions

9 Conclusion

9.1 Social Meanings: Travel and Christian Identity

9.2 Theological Beliefs: Travel and the New Honor Code

Bibliography

Erscheinungsdatum	02.09.2025
Reihe/Serie	Biblical Interpretation Series ; 232
Verlagsort	Leiden
Sprache	englisch
Maße	155 x 235 mm
Gewicht	518 g
Themenwelt	Geschichte ► Teilgebiete der Geschichte ► Religionsgeschichte
Themenwelt	Religion / Theologie ► Christentum ► Bibelausgaben / Bibelkommentare
ISBN-10	90-04-73597-6 / 9004735976
ISBN-13	978-90-04-73597-2 / 9789004735972
Zustand	Neuware