Kinship : being in a family -- Kinship : staying in a family -- Patronage : gifts had strings attached -- Patronage : the system and the players -- Patronage : grace, faith, and the language of patronage -- Brokerage in the biblical world : I get by with a little lot of help from my friends -- Having honor : everybody has some -- Gaining honor : everybody wants more -- Honor contests -- Having shame : it is good for everyone -- Shaming : done right (and wrong) -- Having boundaries : us and them -- Guarding boundaries : keeping us us -- Redeeming kinship and boundaries : who is our family? -- Redeeming patronage and brokerage -- Conclusion: Biblical collectivism in my individualist world.
Summary:
"The Bible was written within collectivist cultures, and it's easy for Westerners to misinterpret--or miss--important elements. Combining the expertise of a biblical scholar and a missionary practitioner, this essential guidebook explores the deep social structures of the ancient Mediterranean, stripping away individualist assumptions and helping us read the Bible better"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.