Horrell Ch 5

Question 1

What question does the Balch-Elliot debate provide answers for?

Answer 1

How does 1 Peter expect its readers to negotiate their existence in a hostile world?

Question 2

How does Balch answer the question, ‘How does 1 Peter expect its readers to negotiate their existence in a hostile world?’

Answer 2

1 Peter (2:11 - 3:12) urges such Christians to lessen criticism of themselves by conforming as closely as possible to the social norms of the time, without
compromising their commitment to Christ.

Question 3

How does Elliot answer the question, ‘How does 1 Peter expect its readers to negotiate their existence in a hostile world?’

Answer 3

1 Peter seeks to foster internal cohesion among

the ‘brotherhood’ (2.17), to build a distinctive communal identity and resist external pressures to conform.

Question 4

What prominent theme lends support to Balch’s view?

Answer 4

The theme of doing good (1 Peter 2.12, 15, 20; 3.6, 10-17; 4.19)

Question 5

What, then, does 1 Peter specifically

commend as good behavior?

Answer 5

it is clear that what 1 Peter means by ‘good’ conduct is behavior which is socially respectable:

honoring the emperor,
submitting to masters and husbands,
not provoking trouble or conflict

Question 6

How does most recent scholarship view the suffering addressed in 1 Peter?

Answer 6

That it was a consequence of informal public

hostility rather than imperial persecution

Question 7

What textual evidence support the view that 1 Peter urges the recipients to resist conformity?

Answer 7

1 Peter uses a set of terms - refugees, Diaspora, Babylon - that invites the recipients to understand themselves as not ‘at home’ in society.

1 Peter 2:16, 17 reminds them that their ultimate allegiance belongs to God

1 Peter encourages them that Suffering ‘as a Christian’ is no cause for shame, but rather a means to glorify God.

Question 8

How does Horrell answer the question, ‘How does 1 Peter expect its readers to negotiate their existence in a hostile world?’

Answer 8

1 Peter is much more concerned to ensure a peaceful existence in the world, so far as that is possible.

Nonetheless, Christians must resist the empire’s demands, even if suffering be the result.