Description
Book SynopsisDiakonia Studies closes the account on John N. Collinss 40 years of involvement in groundbreaking linguistic research and argumentation concerning the nature and functioning of Christian ministry. Dispute has swirled around the Greek term diakonia for 50 years. Once seen as enshrining the New Testament value of loving Christian servicewhat Jerome Murphy-O''Connor called one of the dogmas of New Testament scholarshipthe word was exposed by Dieter Georgi in 1964 as arguably meaning something quite different. In 1974 John N. Collins published his first paper on the issue, pointing to inadequacies in Georgi''s brief account. Then in 1990 Collins published his exhaustive semantic survey, Diakonia: Re-interpreting the Ancient Sources. His re-interpretation was variously hailed as devastating, provocative, unfashionable, and a scholarly avalanche whose conclusions are inescapable. Since then, the book has stood at the center of the Collins-Debate. Meanwhile Collins''s findings have been incor
Trade ReviewIt is now over 20 years since the publication of Collins's seminal work, Diakonia: Reinterpreting the Ancient Sources. His approach in that book and subsequent publications is now essential reading for anyone intending to explore the subject. This most recent collection gathers together a range of articles (both published and unpublished), many of which have previously been hard to find, making it much easier to reflect on and respond to Collins's valuable contribution to the field. * Paula R. Gooder, Theologian in Residence, Bible Society *
It is impossible to understand the present discussions about diakonia and the diaconate without taking into account the impact of John Collins. This book offers a unique introduction to Collinss influence on scholarly works, ecumenical dialogues and church practice, and his participation in the international debate. Some of his groundbreaking works have, for the first time, been collected in this booka book that gives a comprehensive view of John Collinss research and the consequences thereof. * Sven-Erik Brodd, Professor of Ecclesiology, University of Uppsala, Sweden *
This book is the result of a lifelong study of diakonia and its cognates. Collins shines fresh light on the pivotal theme of church offices in early Christian communities: a theme that has far-reaching implications, challenging not only the idea of the deacon as a social worker but also the widespread consensus about ecclesiastical offices as humble and beneficent services. The author's meticulous reengagement with the semantics of diakonia sets the stage for a new approach to Christology and ecclesiology, releasing both from a false service paradigm. * Dr. Anni Hentschel, lecturer for New Testament studies at the Goethe Universitat Frankfurt *
Table of ContentsTable of Contents ; Preface ; Studies in diakonia ; Diakonia from the nineteenth century to today ; 1. From diakonia to diaconia today: historical aspects of interpretation ; 2. Re-interpreting diakonia in Germany: Anni Hentschel's Diakonia im Neuen Testament ; 3. The problem with values carried by diakonia / diakonie in recent church documents ; Diakonia in the early church ; 4. How ancient Greeks thought of diakonia ; 5. Diakonia in the teaching of Jesus ; 6. The mediatorial role of Paul as minister / diakonos ; 7. Ministry as office ; 8. Ministry among gifts ; 9. Paul, delegate to Jerusalem ; 10. The diakonia of the Seven ; Towards ministry for the twenty-first century ; 11. Theology of ministry in the ywentieth century: ongoing problems or new orientations? ; 12. Ordained and other ministries: making a difference ; 13. Fitting lay ministries into a theology of ministry ; Part 1: A critique of an American consensus ; Part 2: Making a fit ; 14. Ties that bind: deacons today in the grip of yesteryear ; Selected Publications ; Sources of Studies ; Indices of Names, Biblical and Early Christian sources
