The Bible and Beyond Podcast Episode
Shepherd of Hermas: Ancient and Modern Respect for the Poor
An Interview with Elli Elliott
Elli Elliott (Dr. Susan M. Elliott), Photo by Lee Wilder, 2014
About this episode: 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.
About Elli: Dr. Susan M. (Elli) Elliott earned a Ph.D. in New Testament and Early Christianity in 1997 from Loyola University Chicago. Her research focuses on the social context of early Christianity with an emphasis on family relationships, pagan and Roman imperial backgrounds, and Greco-Roman mystery cults. Her primary expertise in Paul’s letter to the Galatians and the cult of Cybele and Anatolian popular religiosity.
Her most recent book, Family Empires, Roman and Christian: Volume I Roman Family Empires, was published in 2018 by Polebridge Press.
Dr. Elliott currently lives in Red Lodge, Montana where she is developing a grass roots think tank. She enjoys volunteer work as an environmental activist, and she brings the perspective of her status as one of the working poor to her writing and reflection.
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.
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!
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!