Unmanly Men: Refigurations of Masculinity in Luke-Acts

Brittany E. Wilson (Assistant Professor of New Testament, Assistant Professor of New Testament, Duke Divinity School)

Unmanly Men: Refigurations of Masculinity in Luke-Acts
Format
Hardback
Publisher
Oxford University Press Inc
Country
United States
Published
11 June 2015
Pages
360
ISBN
9780199325009

Unmanly Men: Refigurations of Masculinity in Luke-Acts

Brittany E. Wilson (Assistant Professor of New Testament, Assistant Professor of New Testament, Duke Divinity School)

New Testament scholars typically assume that the men who pervade the pages of Luke’s two volumes are models of an implied manliness. Scholars rarely question how Lukan men measure up to ancient masculine mores, even though masculinity is increasingly becoming a topic of inquiry in the field of New Testament and its related disciplines. Drawing especially from gender-critical work in classics, Brittany Wilson addresses this lacuna by examining key male characters in Luke-Acts in relation to constructions of masculinity in the Greco-Roman world. Of all Luke’s male characters, Wilson maintains that four in particular problematize elite masculine norms: namely, Zechariah (the father of John the Baptist), the Ethiopian eunuch, Paul, and, above all, Jesus. She further explains that these men do not protect their bodily boundaries nor do they embody corporeal control, two interrelated male gender norms. Indeed, Zechariah loses his ability to speak, the Ethiopian eunuch is castrated, Paul loses his ability to see, and Jesus is put to death on the cross. With these bodily violations, Wilson argues, Luke points to the all-powerful nature of God and in the process reconfigures–or refigures–men’s own claims to power. Luke, however, not only refigures the so-called prerogative of male power, but he refigures the parameters of power itself. According to Luke, God provides an alternative construal of power in the figure of Jesus and thus redefines what it means to be masculine. Thus, for Luke, real men look manifestly unmanly. Wilson’s findings in Unmanly Men will shatter long-held assumptions in scholarly circles and beyond about gendered interpretations of the New Testament, and how they can be used to understand the roles of the Bible’s key characters.

This item is not currently in-stock. It can be ordered online and is expected to ship in approx 2 weeks

Our stock data is updated periodically, and availability may change throughout the day for in-demand items. Please call the relevant shop for the most current stock information. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Sign in or become a Readings Member to add this title to a wishlist.