Mitzi Smith engages the reader in explaining how, as in the real world, the characterization of the Others is used negatively in the biblical texts. Smith shows how the concept of difference is constructed in order to distinguish ourselves from proximate others: indeed, the other who is most similar to us is most threatening and most problematic. The process of Othering, or Otherness, is a synthetic and political social construct that allows us to create and maintain boundaries between "them" and "us". Thus, this work demonstrates how proximate characters are constructed as the Other in the Acts of the Apostles. Charismatics, Jews, and women are proximate others who are constructed as the external and internal Others.
- ISBN10 1283866064
- ISBN13 9781283866064
- Publish Date 1 January 2012 (first published 1 January 2011)
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 21 April 2015
- Publish Country US
- Imprint James Clarke Company
- Format eBook
- Language English