Scripture, Creed, and Empire: Negotiating the Challenges to Find Norming Norms

Given the recent (since 9/11) widespread attention across academic disciplines paid to the theme of Empire, the author considers a primary question which emerges: What might we learn from and about the Bible which was composed in the context of Empire and has functioned in communities which both benefited from and suffered under imperial rule? Attention is given to critical ‘re‐readings’ of the New Testament in light of the reality of the Roman Empire and its overriding, pervasive imperial rule. Consideration is given to the Nicene‐Constantinopolitan Creed (325/381 B.C.E.) and Christology for ‘hidden transcripts’ of the radical alternative message of the Gospel vis‐à‐vis the power of emperor and Empire.