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A Postcolonial African American Re-reading of ColossiansGenerations of Believers in the Mysteries and Mythological Cults

A Postcolonial African American Re-reading of Colossians: Generations of Believers in the... [This section will focus on the beliefs held for generations by the Colossians at the time of their exposure to the gospel by Epaphras. The idea of Christianity as an established religion at the time of the letter is an anachronism, not only in the Lycus Valley but also in the first-century CE.1 The first reason is because the prevailing mystery and myth religions that evolved through the previous centuries were at home there. Schweizer remarks that, “at the time of the Epistle to the Colossians an Apollo-Archegetes cult may have replaced that of the mother goddess.”2 Dynasties of deities were being worshipped as generations of Colossians were taught to believe in them. Houses, marketplaces, hills, and mountains were filled with images of gods and goddesses to whom they and their ancestors gave homage (see sections 2.1 and 4.1). The second reason is that the doctrines of Christianity were not yet fully established (see section 10.3). The third reason is that the transplanted Jews practiced a religion that not only preceded Christianity but also taught about God and that the way to him was the Torah. Into this arena, the writer of Colossians answers the call of Epaphras to build up the newly founded community.] http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png

A Postcolonial African American Re-reading of ColossiansGenerations of Believers in the Mysteries and Mythological Cults

Part of the Postcolonialism and Religions Book Series
Tinsley, Annie
Springer Journals — Oct 29, 2015
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6 pages

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Publisher
Palgrave Macmillan US
Copyright
© Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Nature America Inc. 2013
ISBN
978-1-349-46769-3
Pages
15 –21
DOI
10.1057/9781137326157_3
Publisher site
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Abstract

[This section will focus on the beliefs held for generations by the Colossians at the time of their exposure to the gospel by Epaphras. The idea of Christianity as an established religion at the time of the letter is an anachronism, not only in the Lycus Valley but also in the first-century CE.1 The first reason is because the prevailing mystery and myth religions that evolved through the previous centuries were at home there. Schweizer remarks that, “at the time of the Epistle to the Colossians an Apollo-Archegetes cult may have replaced that of the mother goddess.”2 Dynasties of deities were being worshipped as generations of Colossians were taught to believe in them. Houses, marketplaces, hills, and mountains were filled with images of gods and goddesses to whom they and their ancestors gave homage (see sections 2.1 and 4.1). The second reason is that the doctrines of Christianity were not yet fully established (see section 10.3). The third reason is that the transplanted Jews practiced a religion that not only preceded Christianity but also taught about God and that the way to him was the Torah. Into this arena, the writer of Colossians answers the call of Epaphras to build up the newly founded community.]

Published: Oct 29, 2015

Keywords: Imperial Cult; Religious Atmosphere; Mother Goddess; Established Religion; Greek Goddess

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