This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Google Scholar Articles by Howell, J. R. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

The Imperial Authority and Benefaction of Centurions and Acts 10.34-43: A Response to C. Kavin Rowe

University of Chicago, Divinity School, Swift Hall, 1025 E. 58th St., Chicago, IL 60637, USA, jhowell{at}uchicago.edu

C. Kavin Rowe has rightly argued that, when encountering the statement oo n n n Ku o (Acts 10.36), Luke's auditors throughout the Roman Empire would have associated this slogan with imperial-cult propaganda. The relevance of such a connection within a speech delivered to Cornelius and his household, however, requires further analysis. Evidence from Luke—Acts and other ancient literary texts and inscriptions depicts centurions as imperial authorities who—as benefactors, judges and promoters of the imperial cult— were notorious for abusing their power to the detriment of those under their authority. Alongside Luke's implicit censure of the emperor and his cult, one should understand his seemingly positive characterization of Cornelius as rhetorical irony (i.e., applying to a character traits that are contrary to reality). The more holistic criticism of the imperial cult in the context of Acts 10.34-43 includes not only the emperor, but also his subordinate authorities.

Key Words: Authority • benefaction • centurion (Cornelius) • imperial cult • irony • Luke—Acts

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?