Restored Order: Subordination and Freedom in 1 Peter(175 Studies in Biblical Literature)

The concept of subordination plays a prominent role in the paranesis of 1 Peter, and it appears too in the context of Christ’s victory over the cosmic powers. It seems to presuppose some kind of given natural and social order in which people must live in their allotted place. But the author also sees his readers’ subordination as conditioned by their status as free people, which he expounds in several passages. This investigation aims to clarify the meaning and relationship of the concepts of subordination and freedom in 1 Peter, with reference to the related idea of order. After an introduction that sets out the issues in detail, the first main section examines the three themes in the wider thought of the first century CE, and the second provides detailed exegesis of the key Petrine texts. A final chapter synthesizes this evidence and draws conclusions regarding the conceptuality of subordination and freedom expressed in the letter. The study presents the idea of "restored order" as a new interpretive key to the teaching and paranesis of 1 Peter and the significant New Testament tradition to which it belongs. It clarifies the important Petrine concepts of subordination and freedom, with that of order, within the letter as a whole and its constituent parts, and it illuminates the exegesis of various disputed texts and passages. Scholars and research students of 1 Peter and the wider New Testament will find here a compelling proposal to stimulate and inform their own engagement with the text.

Table of Contents:
Introduction – Order, Subordination and Freedom in Greco- Roman Thought – Order, Subordination and Freedom in Early Jewish Thought – Order, Subordination and Freedom in Early Christian Thought – Subordination and Freedom in 1 Peter 2:13– 17 – Subordination in Other 1 Peter Texts – Freedom in Other 1 Peter Texts – Synthesis and Conclusions – Index.

About the Author :
Steve Carter received his PhD from the University of Aberdeen in 2018, having undertaken his research at Bristol Baptist College. He has worked for twenty years as an editor, writer and manager for various publishers and charities.

Review :
“In this thoroughly researched and carefully argued study, Steve Carter connects the themes of order, subordination and freedom in 1 Peter and argues that the author’s calls for subordination are not to be seen as part of a subversive strategy, nor as merely pragmatic or apologetic, but are rooted in his theology of restored divine order, such that both subordination and freedom are properly practiced within the God-given structures of state and household. The resulting depiction of 1 Peter as a conservative and socially conformist text may or may not be appealing, depending on the reader’s perspective, but the weighty case that is argued demands serious attention.” —David G. Horrell, Professor of New Testament Studies and Director of the Centre for Biblical Studies, University of Exeter, UK “Dr. Steve Carter has taken his thesis on the relationship of subordination and freedom in 1 Peter and has redone it as a monograph. But is it worth reading? Decidedly, yes. He has carefully defined the focal terms, put them in their first century social context, and discussed them in the light of a thorough examination of the literature. That makes a significant contribution to the study of 1 Peter.” —Peter H. Davids, Chaplain, Our Lady of Guadalupe Priory, Georgetown, TX, USA, and Faculty Mentor, Kairos Network