This book looks at the Acts of the Apostles through two lenses that highlight the two topics of masculinity and politics. Acts is rich in relevant material, whether this be in the range of such characters as the Ethiopian eunuch, Cornelius, Peter and Paul, or in situations such as Timothy's circumcision and Paul's encounters with Roman rulers in different cities. Engaging Acts from these two distinct but related perspectives illuminates features of this book which are otherwise easily missed. These approaches provide fresh angles to see how men, masculinity, and imperial loyalty were understood, experienced, and constructed in the ancient world and in earliest Christianity. The essays present a range of topics: some engage with Acts as a whole as in Steve Walton's chapter on the way Luke-Acts perceives the Roman Empire, while others focus on particular sections, passages, and even certain figures, such as in an Christopher Stroup's analysis of the circumcision of Timothy. Together, the essays provide a tightly woven and deeply textured analysis of Acts. The dialogue form of essay and response will encourage readers to develop their own critiques of the points raised in the collection as a whole.

List of Contributors 1. Introduction, the Editors Warts and All? Acts in the Discourses of Masculinity 2. The Language of Gender in Acts Christina Petterson, Humboldt Universität, Germany 3. Taking the Measure of Masculinities in the Book of Acts Colleen Conway, Seton Hall University, USA 4. Contextualizing Masculinity in the Book of Acts: Peter and Paul as Test Cases Brittany E. Wilson, Duke University, USA 5. Making Jewish Men in a Greco-Roman World: Masculinity and the Circumcision of Timothy in Acts 16:1-5 Christopher Stroup, Boston University, USA Empowering, Engaging, or Distancing? Acts in the Discourses of Politics 6. The State They Were In: Luke's View of the Roman Empire Steve Walton, St Mary's University, UK 7. Who Speaks For (or Against) Rome? Acts in Relation to Empire Matthew L. Skinner, Luther Seminary, St Paul, USA 8. Paul and Roman Law: The Luck of the Draw Bruce W. Winter, Queensland Theological College, Australia 9. Empowering, Empire-ing or Engaging? Acts in the Discourse of Politics: A Response Mikeal C. Parsons, Baylor University, USA 10. Turning the Empire Upside Down: A Response Barbara Rossing, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, USA 11. Afterword, the Editors Bibliography Index