Does the New Testament Imitate Homer?: Four Cases from the Acts of the Apostles
In this provocative challenge to prevailing views of New Testament sources, Dennis R. MacDonald argues that the origins of passages in the book of Acts are to be found not in early Christian legends but in the epics of Homer. MacDonald focuses on four passages in the book of Acts, examines their potential parallels in the Iliad, and concludes that the author of Acts composed them using famous scenes in Homer's work as a model. Tracing the influence of passages from the Iliad on subsequent...
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In this provocative challenge to prevailing views of New Testament sources, Dennis R. MacDonald argues that the origins of passages in the book of Acts are to be found not in early Christian legends but in the epics of Homer. MacDonald focuses on four passages in the book of Acts, examines their potential parallels in the Iliad, and concludes that the author of Acts composed them using famous scenes in Homer's work as a model. Tracing the influence of passages from the Iliad on subsequent ancient literature, MacDonald shows how the story generated a vibrant, mimetic literary tradition long before Luke composed the Acts. Luke could have expected educated readers to recognize his transformation of these tales and to see that the Christian God and heroes were superior to Homeric gods and heroes. Building upon and extending the analytic methods of his earlier book, The Homeric Epics and the Gospel of Mark, MacDonald opens an original and promising appreciation not only of Acts but also of the composition of early Christian narrative in general."In this original, carefully argued book MacDonald offers a radical thesis, locating the book of Acts squarely in the ancient Greek literary tradition."-William Hansen, Indiana University Author Biography: Dennis R. MacDonald is John Wesley Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, Claremont School of Theology, and director of the Institute of Antiquity and Christianity, Claremont Graduate University.
AcknowledgmentsIntroduction1Pt. 1The Visions of Cornelius and Peter and Iliad 21Cornelius and Peter192Lying Dream and True Portent233More Dreams and Portents294The Visions of Cornelius and Peter445Local Legend or Homeric Imitation?56Pt. 2Paul's Farewell at Miletus and Iliad 66Hector's Farewell to Andromache697Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders748Jewish Testament or Homeric Imitation?93Pt. 3The Selection of Matthias and Iliad 79The Selection of Ajax to Face Hector10510The Selection of Matthias to Replace Judas10711Jerusalem Legend or Homeric Imitation?113Pt. 4Peter's Escape from Prison and Iliad 2412Priam's Escape from Achilles and Its Imitators12313Alexander's Escape from Darius13114Peter's Escape from Herod13715Hellenistic Legend or Homeric Imitation?141Conclusion146AppGreek and Latin Parallels153List of Abbreviations167Notes171Bibliography209Index221
