Ephesians and Artemis
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Ephesians and Artemis The influence of the religious climate of western Asia Minor of the first century AD on the content and terminology of Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23 by André Jacobus Visagie Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the degree of Master of Theology at the Faculty of Theology, University of Stellenbosch. Old and New Testament Faculty of Theology Supervisor: Professor Jeremy Punt March 2010 DECLARATION By submitting this dissertation electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the owner of the copyright thereof (unless to the extent explicitly otherwise stated) and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. Signed: Date: 8 February 2010 Copyright © 2009 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved i ABSTRACT This thesis interacts with the generally held view that Ephesians is a general epistle with no concrete historical context and contingency, by arguing that this letter addresses particular religious concerns and beliefs of the believers of Ephesus and surrounds . A focussed literary survey of the religious-historical material of the western Mediterranean region in the first century AD is conducted, with particular attention paid to the cult of the Ephesian Artemis and the prevalence of magic. Special focus is placed upon Ephesians 1:15-23, which is exegeted using both grammatical-historical and socio-rhetorical methods of interpretation to gain insights into how the author employed and reformulated contemporary terms and concepts to demonstrate the lordship of Jesus Christ. Serious consideration of the religious and magical context of the first century Greco-Roman world when interpreting this letter to the Ephesians may open many possible avenues for future study, particularly in the area of understanding the letter in an African context. ii OPSOMMING Hierdie studie tree in dialoog met die algemene opvatting dat die Efesiërs-brief ’n algemene brief of omsendskrywe was, wat geen besondere historiese konteks of dringende saak aangespreek het nie. Die studie oordeel dat die brief spesifieke religieuse sake en oortuigings van die gelowiges in Efese en omgewing aangespreek het. Deur ’n literêre oorsig is daar gefokus op die religieus- historiese materiaal van die westelike Mediterreense area in die eerste eeu nC, met besondere nadruk op die Artemis-kultus en wydverspreide magie. Spesiale klem is geplaas op Efesiërs 1:15-23, wat met behulp van beide grammatikaal- historiese en sosio-retoriese metodes geëksegetiseer is ten einde te bepaal hoe die outeur kontemporêre terme en konsepte wat die heerskap van Jesus Christus demonstreer, gebruik en herformuleer het. Noukeurige oorweging van die religieuse en magiese konteks van die eerste-eeuse Grieks-Romeinse wêreld ten tyde van die interpretasie van Efesiërs mag deure open vir moontlike verdere areas van studie, veral met die oog op die verstaan van die brief in ’n Afrika- konteks. iii DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to my beautiful wife, Lizanne, for her love, support and patience. Thank you very much. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my parents for their support, both emotionally and financially, as this has enabled me to complete this degree. I am thankful to the elders of Christ Church Tygerberg who granted study leave in order for me to work on this thesis. I deeply appreciate the guidance, wisdom, advice, tolerance and thoroughness of Professor Jeremy Punt, even when we did not see eye to eye on some issues. I am grateful to my wife, Lizanne, for her love and encouragement. I am also acutely grateful to our Christ Jesus, who is ὑπεράνω πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας (Ephesians 1:21) and of whom this thesis is really about, for his power, his love, his perseverance and his generosity. v TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ..................................................................................................... i ABSTRACT........................................................................................................... ii OPSOMMING ...................................................................................................... iii DEDICATION....................................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................... v TABLE OF CONTENTS....................................................................................... vi LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................... x CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION.......................................................................1 1.1 Statement of the Problem..........................................................................1 1.2 Hypothesis ................................................................................................4 1.3 Research Methodology .............................................................................5 1.4 Motivation and contribution .......................................................................6 1.5 Outline of Chapters ...................................................................................7 1.6 Theological Framework.............................................................................9 CHAPTER TWO: BACKGROUND OF EPHESIANS ..........................................10 2.1 The author of Ephesians .........................................................................10 2.1.1 The issue .........................................................................................10 2.1.2 The main arguments for rejecting Paul as author ............................10 2.1.3 The main arguments for accepting Paul...........................................11 2.1.3.a The New Testament Canon ........................................................12 2.1.3.b The ethics of pseudonymity ........................................................13 2.1.3.c The natural development of human thought ...............................14 2.1.3.d The internal evidence..................................................................14 2.1.3.e Mountains out of mole hills (statistics on words).........................15 2.1.3.f Literary dependence on Colossians............................................15 2.1.4 Conclusion .......................................................................................16 2.2 The Recipients of Ephesians...................................................................16 2.2.1 The text of 1:1 ..................................................................................16 2.2.2 Possible theories..............................................................................17 vi 2.2.3 Conclusion .......................................................................................17 2.3 The Religious Climate in Ephesus ..........................................................18 2.3.1 The Greco-Roman Religious Climate...............................................18 2.3.2 The Ephesian Artemis......................................................................19 2.3.3 Other Roman and Greek gods .........................................................22 2.3.4 Empire..............................................................................................22 2.3.5 Magical beliefs and practices ...........................................................23 2.3.6 Magic in Ephesus.............................................................................24 2.3.7 Types of Magic.................................................................................24 2.3.7.a Love potions and love charms ....................................................24 2.3.7.b Curses ........................................................................................24 2.3.7.c The Evil Eye................................................................................25 2.3.7.d Protection....................................................................................25 2.3.7.e Spirit guides ................................................................................26 2.3.8 Hostile powers .................................................................................26 2.4 Conclusion to chapter two.......................................................................27 CHAPTER THREE: PAUL’S WORLDVIEW CONCERNING THE SPIRIT WORLD ............................................................................................................................29 3.1 Old Testament Background.....................................................................29 3.1.1 One God ..........................................................................................30 3.1.2 One people of God...........................................................................30 3.1.3 One future with God.........................................................................30 3.1.4 The existence of evil powers in the Old Testament..........................31 3.1.4.a Satan ..........................................................................................31 3.1.4.b The other gods of the heavens ...................................................33 3.1.4.c Fallen Angels, Demons and Evil Spirits ......................................34 3.1.5 Summary..........................................................................................36 3.2 Second Temple Judaism.........................................................................36