Jesus clubs: early realities (1 gen 50 anni – 31 dic 69 anni)

Descrizione:

Jesus clubs are generally made up of the less educated and less powerful members of society. They continue to expect the apocalyptic end of the age and the return of Jesus (the Parousia) in their own lifetimes, an expectation that will never fully relent.

The communal worship practices of the clubs are primitive, in some cases revolving heavily around real-time charismatic/ecstatic revelations. Paul advocates a shared meal (Eucharist) tradition that posits the body and blood of Jesus as the mediators of a new covenant with God, in line with his general program of denying the applicability of Jewish law to gentile believers. In clubs with larger Jewish representation, disputes over kosher and Sabbath observance are occurring.

In its initial stages, the Jesus cult may have held an inordinate appeal to women, and in at least some quarters it was open to women serving in leadership roles (most notably among the Pauline sect). It’s possible that early Christian beliefs in sexual asceticism and the impending end of the age proved empowering to women, freeing them from the social obligations traditionally expected of (or mandated to) them.

The idealized standard for economic life within the Jesus club network revolves around the open giving of goods to satisfy anyone who has a need. This is at times portrayed as straight-up Communism.

Mixed commitment levels and apostatizing are attested amongst Jesus cult adherents, and continue to be a factor all throughout the time period.

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