Engaging New Institutional Economics with New Testament Studies

Alex Hon Ho Iprsquo;s monograph is a significant and innovative ""clearing-of-the decks"" in economic studies of the New Testament. Ip incisively critiques previous economic approaches and their limitations, convincingly setting out the importance of his alternative methodology provided by the discipline of New Institutional Economics. The rich results of Iprsquo;s arguments coalesce in a series of striking case studies on Lukan wealth, possessions, and poverty in the wider context of Roman Empire studies, perceptions of grief in Philippians, and slave-master relationships in Philemon. A treasure trove of new exegetical, social, and economic insights for New Testament scholars.--James R. Harrison, Sydney College of Divinity In this study Alex Hon Ho Ip challenges the consensus assumption in New Testament scholarship that economics played little or no role in the development of early Christianity. Ip argues instead that economics played a formative role in the practices, beliefs, and literature of the early churches. Using New Institutional Economics as a framework, Ip lays out practical steps for interpreters and shows the relevance of his approach for research in gospel literature, in Pauline texts, in Acts, and beyond. Iprsquo;s discussions of the themes of poverty, unequal resource distribution, slaves and masters in Christian households, institutional power, and justice provide scholars with much to reconsider about ancient and contemporary worlds.--Steven J. Friesen, The University of Texas at Austin With his excellent grasp of the new institutional economics and his in-depth understanding of the Gospel of Luke, the author is able to demonstrate how fruitful an economic perspective is in interpreting the New Testament. His insights make the reader want more of this kind of interdisciplinary interpretation. The approach is not merely a matter of understanding in the author#39;s view, but is intended to bring about change in the readers#39; appreciation of their economic responsibilities as well.--Adela Yarbro Collins, Yale University Divinity School With his excellent grasp of the new institutional economics and his in-depth understanding of the Gospel of Luke, the author is able to demonstrate how fruitful an economic perspective is in interpreting the New Testament. His insights make the reader want more of this kind of interdisciplinary interpretation. The approach is not merely a matter of understanding in the author's view, but is intended to bring about change in the readers' appreciation of their economic responsibilities as well.