ESTABLISHMENT VIOLENCE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT WORLD

  • Bruce J Malina Creighton University, Omaha, NE
Keywords: Establishment violence, New Testament world, Vigilantism, Roman Empire, Jesus’ death

Abstract

Violence is about coercing others in a way that social norms do not endorse.  Socially unauthorized coercion employed with a view to maintaining, defending, or restoring the status quo is a form of behavior called establishment violence or vigilantism.  Such persons prefer things as they are.  Not only do the prefer the status quo, but they are quite prepared to vent their vehement antipathies on those espousing significant change, whether it be creative change or restorative change.  The gospel story clearly reveal that Jesus’ death was the outcome of establishment violence.  The purpose of this essay is to draw up a scenario of establishment violence that might be adequate for reading the New Testament, or even books about the New Testament.

Author Biography

Bruce J Malina, Creighton University, Omaha, NE
Creighton University, Omaha, NE, VSAVisiting Professor in the department of Religion, University of Stellenbosch from July to September 1994
Published
2019-09-11
Section
Articles