Strangers to Family

Shively T. J. Smith is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Preface Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction Part 1. Diaspora through the Lens of 1 Peter Chapter 1. Chosen Kinship: Imagining Christian Diaspora Chapter 2. The Cultic Life: Practices of the Christian Diaspora Chapter 3. Provinces and Households: The Relational Matrix of the Christian Diaspora Part 2. Diaspora the Way Others Imagine Chapter 4. Diaspora Life in Babylon: The Court Tales of Daniel Chapter 5. Diaspora in Egypt: The Letter of Aristeas Chapter 6. Diaspora in Alexandria: Philo Conclusion: Liberating 1 Peter's Diaspora Vision Bibliography Index

Overall, this book is extremely well-written, and filled with many valuable insights. Especially illuminating is the way that 1 Peter's vision of diaspora is set in contrast to that of other Second Temple authors, thereby emphasizing the letter's unique perspective. -- Travis B. Williams -- Expository Times Shively Smith offers a powerful reading of 1 Peter as diasporic literature that teaches its audience how to navigate the world as Christians. -- The Christian Century The contribution of this study is not so much its exegesis of the letter of 1 Peter; much of the detail of Smith's interpretive work is readily available in the many commentaries and monographs published in recent years. Instead, its promise lies in the uncommon nature of the questions that shape Smith's analysis of 1 Peter's-and these other Hellenistic Jewish writings'-understanding of diaspora and construction of diasporic identity and existence. -- Joel B. Green -- Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology Strangers to Family is an interesting historical analysis with direct implications on contemporary life. This combination of scholarly investigation and tangible significance makes Strangers to Family worth the time and effort. -- Mark Owens -- Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society This is a valuable addition to 1 Peter studies and takes its rightful place among the volumes that have opened up our understanding of this vital letter in the New Testament -- Andrew M. Mbuvi -- Review of Biblical Literature