Religion 50, Liberation and 20th Century Christian Thought
Spring 2011

Reading questions for Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, Bread Not Stone

1)	What is the significance of Schüssler Fiorenza’s characterization of the bible as an ‘historical prototype’?  What difference for her project does it make to regard the bible in this way?

2)	Beyond questions of biblical hermeneutics (that is, the interpretation of scripture), what modifications to Christian practice does Schüssler Fiorenza recommend, and why?

3)	Schüssler Fiorenza surveys a variety of contemporary views on the role of the ‘household codes’ within the Christian scriptures.  What account of the role of these codes does she prefer?

4)	What contemporary developments in the area of American public religious life does Schüssler Fiorenza find troubling?  How is her work supposed to address these developments?

Note:  some of you may not be familiar with the ‘household code’ passages referred to in this chapter.  Here is one of the main passages which Schüssler Fiorenza refers to (see p. 71) from the RSV translation:

Col 3:18-4:1	Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.  Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.  Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.  Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.  Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but with singleness of heart, fearing the Lord.  Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward;  you are serving the Lord Christ.  For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.  
	Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.