Seek the Welfare of the City: Christians As Benefactors and Citizens (First-Century Christians in the Graeco-Roman World)

Rating:
Summary: Extremely Insightful
Review: Having studied under Bruce Winter for over a year, I can say with great confidence that few match his zeal for matching scholarly work with pastoral application. This book clearly outlines the historical contexts of key passages that in term help one to know the Word of God and preach the Word of God with effectiveness. One can only appreciate Winter's tremendous efforts in this text.

Rating:
Summary: Extremely Insightful
Review: Having studied under Bruce Winter for over a year, I can say with great confidence that few match his zeal for matching scholarly work with pastoral application. This book clearly outlines the historical contexts of key passages that in term help one to know the Word of God and preach the Word of God with effectiveness. One can only appreciate Winter's tremendous efforts in this text.

Rating:
Summary: Implausible exegesis
Review: This is an eclectic collection of essays which attempts to argue that from its birth Christianity included amongst its members individuals who were socially powerful and played prominent roles in the cities which they inhabited. This is an interesting thesis and one pushed by many of the "Tyndale School" based in England, of which the author is the chief figure. However, the exegesis pursued by the author is often strained and his knowledge of the Graeco-Roman world which the Christians inhabited is woefully inadequate. Consequently the thesis is implausible. It seems to owe more to wishful thinking on the part of the author and his sponsors.