This will take us outside of medieval-religion, but an excellent, though
ancient, study of the setting of Jesus' ministry is Rev. Dr. Alfred
Edersheim, 'The Temple, Its Ministry and Its Services at the Time of Jesus
Christ' (London: Religious Tract Society, 1874). The Roman Imperium used the
Temple and its Priests to control Palestine/Israel, the laity being doubly
and burdensomely taxed, the priests being privileged, untaxed, and receiving
taxes. John the Baptist rebelled against his own family's priestly
privileges with his desert ministry, while Jesus laid the groundwork that
would eventually convert the Roman Imperium to Judaeo-Christianity, the
conquered conquering their conquerors. Look at the description of Empress
Helena in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Then at the Epistle written by Paula to
Marcella. Jesus is not a Roman citizen, nor of the priestly caste, but a
Galilean and a subject to an Idumenean King who has assumed Judaism under
Rome and who is rebuilding the Temple - with colossal stones - out of the
taxes he is raising, oppressing the people through religion. Paul is a
citizen of Rome and claims, after a strategic delay, his legal privilege.
The Middle Ages inherited that documentation in Biblical texts, Eusebius and
Jerome.
At 06.44 20/06/97 -0400, you wrote:
>In a message dated 97-06-20 04:57:57 EDT, you write:
>
>> >Is anyone aware of work available on the theological implications of
>> >Christ's citizenship? I would very much appreciate any help.
>> >
>> >Stephen Harris
>> >
>> >
>
>Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's....?
>
>pat sloane
>
>
____
Julia Bolton Holloway, Hermit of the Holy Family,
via del Partigiano 16, Montebeni, 50014 FIESOLE, ITALY,
http://members.aol.com/juliansite/Juliansite.htm
Gregory on Benedict: 'quia animae videnti Creatorem angusta est omnis creatura'.
Julian of Norwich: 'For a soul that seth the Maker of al thyng, all that is
made semyth fulle lytylle'.
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