Deacons and Diakonia in Early Christianity

The First Two Centuries

edited by Bart J. Koet, Edwina Murphy and Esko Ryokas

Book cover: Deacons and Diakonia in Early Christianity

Extent: 327 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Biblical Studies

Series: Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2.Reihe

Series volume number: 479

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(January 2019)

ISBN: 9783161566462

Price: $130.00

Out of stock

In German-speaking countries, the role of the diaconate has been strongly influenced by nineteenth-century ideas of diakonia as service towards the poor. As important as the social initiatives stemming from this perspective have been, in order to correctly understand deacons and diakonia in the early church, we must go back to the sources. For this volume, focused on the first two centuries of Christianity, scholars from a range of backgrounds consider the use of diakonos and related words in the New Testament and extra-biblical sources, both Christian and otherwise. These texts reveal what deacons actually did, helping us to understand the past and giving guidance for the present, particularly in ecumenical discussions concerning the ministry. Contributors: Joke H. A. Brinkhof, John N. Collins, John Granger Cook, Paul Foster, Mark Grundeken, Anni Hentschel, Clayton N. Jefford, Bart J. Koet, Anni Maria Laato, Margaret Mowczko, Edwina Murphy, Esko Ryokas, Serafim Seppala, Peter-Ben Smit, Lauri Thuren, Anssi Voitila, Munib Younan

  • Edited by Bart J Koet
  • Edited by Edwina Murphy
  • Edited by Esko Ryokas