The Bible and Beyond Podcast Episode
Shepherd of Hermas: Ancient and Modern Respect for the Poor
An Interview with Elli Elliott
In this very ancient, very long, and very beloved Christian text, Dr. Elliott finds a distinguishing feature among early Christians that challenges our contemporary attitudes toward the poor. The story tells of a Roman slave who became a household master, reversing roles in society. His message is that the poor may still be poor, but there should be an honorable place in society for the poor. Indeed, we should all – slaves and masters – be enslaved by God together.
Author of Family Empires, Roman and Christian: Volume I Roman Family Empires, Elli (formally Dr. Susan M. Elliott) is a researcher who walks the talk as a social justice advocate. who walks the talk as an environmental and social justice advocate. She is an Online Adjunct Instructor, Religious Studies, College of Professional and Continuing Studies, University of Oklahoma Norman. Visit her Academia.edu page. She is the website manager for Westar’s Bible Search and Rescue.
Agree with Helen and Cathryn. Thank you, Shirley, for sharing with us insights of your colleagues who focus on particular aspects of the non-canonical texts. Particularly interesting where Elli touched on how the vision shifted from the woman-church that was descaling the criticism and upscaling the strengthening, to the male-church that turns critical again. And that this vision is of a constructive (rather than destructive) apocalypse.
So grateful you’re hosting these podcasts!
Yes, I second Helen’s comments. It’s so exciting to learn of these new texts. It feels like we’re being born again by learning more of the details and complexities of early Christian living and inspired revelations. Thank you both do very much!
Just to say that this interview was just FASCINATING! The Shepherd of Hermas is yet another example of how gender was a big factor in early Christian formation. And the imperialization process of early Christianity is such an important area of research for Dr. Elliott to pursue. I continue to be in awe of the creative ways that these ancient Christian seekers envisioned God and Christ, and community, by ingeniously embedding their narratives and visions in their social and historical and religious contexts. Thank you Shirley for making these scholars’ research and thinking accessible to the rest of us.