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Document Details : Title: '... samt allen Heiligen in ganz Achaia' (2 Kor 1,1) Subtitle: Übergemeindliche Verbindungen im Brief des Paulus und Timotheus an die Gemeinden Korinths und Achaias Author(s): STENSCHKE, Christoph W. Journal: Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses Volume: 94 Issue: 4 Date: 2018 Pages: 601-634 DOI: 10.2143/ETL.94.4.3285531 Abstract : This article first surveys the significance of translocal links between early Christian communities in current research in comparison with ancient voluntary associations. These translocal links are also important in reconstructing the history of early Christianity, in examining New Testament ecclesiology and as the 'material basis' for the theological unity of the New Testament. They also form the basis for applications of social network analysis to early Christianity. This is followed by a detailed analysis of the occurrences and function of such links in 2 Corinthians. In their letter to the Corinthians and Achaians, Paul and Timothy mention links between other Christians, be they individuals or Christians, at particular places or of particular regions or the community of all Christians, as an entity of its own. Far from being limited to Paul and his co-workers (Titus, unnamed 'brothers'), 2 Corinthians also attests to direct and indirect links through representatives of different churches and between churches. This happens in particular in the context of Paul’s collection for the saints in Jerusalem. These occurrences indicate that, for Paul, translocal links also have financial implications. These references make a significant contribution to the rhetoric of the letter in the way in which the authors present themselves and also their audience. According to the portrayal in 2 Corinthians, people, convictions, information and funds travelled on the 'Holy Internet' (Thompson) between Corinth, Achaia, Macedonia and other regions and Jerusalem. |
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