Locating Paul: Places of Custody as Narrative Settings in Acts 21-28

by Matthew L. Skinner

Luke's story of Paul's imprisonment under the Romans provides an unexpected setting for considering the proclamation of the word. This narrative-critical study explores the custody settings of Acts 21–28 as places that frame and amplify the detained Paul's social marginality to powerful interests and contends that the settings serve as new venues for Paul's continuing yet redirected missionary vocation. The book provides a penetrating discussion of the relationship between the young church and imperial Rome, suggesting that the accounts of Paul's activity and divine assistance, narrated within settings intended to enforce Roman control, constitute a subtle yet powerful confrontation with and manipulation of the social and religious powers.

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Matthew L. Skinner (PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary) is professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He frequently contributes to popular Christian magazines and blogs and is a featured writer for ON Scripture (a weekly column carried by Odyssey Networks), the Huffington Post, and other online outlets.

Reviews

[Anthony Locke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for ThM Research - interesting and helpful. He writes a great summary chapter on different approaches to Luke's view of the Roman Empire in relation to the church.