Original Research

The radicality of early Christian oikodome: A theology that edifies insiders and outsiders

Jacobus Kok
Verbum et Ecclesia | Vol 36, No 3 | a1441 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v36i3.1441 | © 2015 Jacobus Kok | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 27 February 2015 | Published: 30 November 2015

About the author(s)

Jacobus Kok, Department of New Testament Studies, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

In this article a study is made of the concept ‘oikodome’ and its derivatives in the New Testament and early Christianity. Hence, in this essay the focus is limited to the use of the term οἰκοδομέω/οἰκοδομὴ(ν) in the New Testament, and briefly turns to inspiring trajectories in early Christianity. A detailed focus on the term(s) reveals the complexity of the matter in the different Biblical contexts with its multi-layered dimensions of meaning. Subsequently, attention is turned to a study of 1 Thessalonians, followed up with a discussion of the trajectories of other-regard and radical self-giving love in the early Church as witnessed by insiders and outsiders in antiquity.

Keywords

Oikodome, identity, ethics, dialogical self, outsiders, insiders, life in it’s fullness, Paul, Thessalonians, Adolf Harnack, Abraham Malherbe

Metrics

Total abstract views: 9604
Total article views: 8918

 

Crossref Citations

1. Life in its unfullness: Revisiting ἀναίδειαν (Lk 11:8) in the light of papyrological evidence
Ernest Van Eck, Robert J. Van Niekerk
Verbum et Ecclesia  vol: 38  issue: 3  first page: 135  year: 2017  
doi: 10.4102/ve.v38i3.1647

2. Emerging Religious Consciousness—A Cosmotheandric Understanding of Reality in the Light of Sophiology of Some Russian Theologians towards an Eco-Theology
Johan Buitendag, Corneliu C. Simuț
Religions  vol: 13  issue: 4  first page: 296  year: 2022  
doi: 10.3390/rel13040296

3. Life in its fullness: Ecology, eschatology and ecodomy in a time of climate change
Barbara R. Rossing, Johan Buitendag
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies  vol: 76  issue: 1  year: 2020  
doi: 10.4102/hts.v76i1.6245

4. Celebratory nostalgia: Reflecting on the work and impact of the Department of New Testament Studies at the University of Pretoria
Hanr Janse van Rensburg
Verbum et Ecclesia  vol: 38  issue: 4  first page: 69  year: 2017  
doi: 10.4102/ve.v38i4.1748

5. Rediscovering ‘disciplemaking’ and the role of faith-sharing
Malan Nel, W.J. Schoeman
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies  vol: 75  issue: 4  year: 2019  
doi: 10.4102/hts.v75i4.5119

6. Some reflections on the genealogy of the ‘Pretoria model’: Towards a definition of theological education at a public university
Johan Buitendag
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies  vol: 75  issue: 3  year: 2019  
doi: 10.4102/hts.v75i3.5487

7. Versoening en die Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk: Die Algemene Sinode van 1994 as baken vir ’n lewe van volheid
Johan M. Van der Merwe
Verbum et Ecclesia  vol: 38  issue: 3  first page: 105  year: 2017  
doi: 10.4102/ve.v38i3.1626

8. A contribution from Proverbs and Daniel to reflection on Ecodomy
Pieter M. Venter
Verbum et Ecclesia  vol: 38  issue: 3  first page: 92  year: 2017  
doi: 10.4102/ve.v38i3.1615

9. Discipleship: Seeking the ‘Kingdom and his righteousness’
Malan Nel
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies  vol: 73  issue: 4  year: 2017  
doi: 10.4102/hts.v73i4.4609

10. Called and sent to make a difference: Radical missionality
Malan Nel
Verbum et Ecclesia  vol: 38  issue: 1  year: 2017  
doi: 10.4102/ve.v38i1.1755