A Reexamination of the Lordship of Jesus Christ: Patronage

By Dr. Frank Abissi Jr.

Everyone wants a savior, but not everyone wants a Lord. This comment by a friend led author Frank Abissi to delve into the concept of Lordship in ancient times. In this work, he discusses the practice of patronage, particularly in Ancient Rome. Examined in detail are the accounts of Ruth and Boaz in the Old Testament and Onesimus and Philemon in the New Testament. Finally, the author discusses patronage as it relates to the believers relationship with Jesus Christ. It is the authors hope that this work helps to deepen the personal relationship of the believer with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 5, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543426069

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Copyright © 2017 by Dr. Frank Abissi Jr.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2017908274

ISBN:   Hardcover           978-1-5434-2608-3

             Softcover             978-1-5434-2607-6

             eBook                  978-1-5434-2606-9

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Rev. date: 06/05/2017

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

List Of Tables

1.1 Thesis Statement

1.1.1 Statement Of The Problem

1.1.2 Methods Of Research

1.1.3 Definition Of Terms

2.1 Review Of Literature

2.1.1 Honor, Patronage Kinship And Purity

2.1.2 Roman Empire

2.1.3 Dr. Garrett G. Fagan

3.1 Patronage

4.1 Qualifications For Patronage

5.1 Philemon

6.1 Ruth

7.1 Jesus Christ Our Patronus

8.1 Jesus Christ Our Advocate

9.1 Conclusion

Bibliography

Scripture Index Appendix One

Curriculum Vitae

LIST OF TABLES

E.W. Bullinger Structure of Philemon

Introversion Structure of Philemon

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Going back to school later in life is always full of special circumstances. It requires an enthusiastic group of mentors who always bring up just the right word even when begged for it. I owe it to a good friend of mine, Dr. David Mathews who encouraged me to go back to work on an accredited bachelors degree (BA through Akribos Theological Seminary). I completed the program in 17 months before starting a Masters of Theology with Northwestern Theological Seminary. I definitely need to thank my parents Frank and Janet Abissi, My Dad, Frank, kept me on the straight and narrow and was my mentor in business and schooling. Anytime he saw me he asked with a smile on his face and desire to really know what was going on in my life. My Mother - Janet saw to it I was brought up in the Christian faith, that I was raised in a church. I don’t know when I first accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I just always thought as a matter of my upbringing that he was always there. I had two great teachers of God’s Word, Dr. V.P. Wierwille and Rev. John A. Lynn. My wonderful wife Lena has been my greatest motivator since the day we met 34 years ago. I have to also thank two of my favorite people in the world, my sons Andrew and Paul. They have kept the joy of the Lord alive inside me. My good friend Micheal Walenta kept a steady diet of encouragement coming my way. To all these people I give you my heart felt thank you and pray that God blesses you magnificently.

ABSTRACT

A Reexamination of the Lordship

of Jesus Christ :Patronage

This paper examines the underlying relationship that we have with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Patronage was a concept found in ancient times where a "patronus" extended an offer of patronage to a "cliens." The "patronus" then took the "cliens" under his wing to render favors such as help in procuring public office, help in litigation and court matters, help in starting a business and help in lean times for the "cliens" family.

An examination of the book of Ruth is key to the understanding of patronage. Boaz acted as a "patronus" toward Ruth before he knew that he was a near kinsman.

Philemon deals with a runaway slave named Onesimus whom Paul met when he was imprisoned in Rome. When Onesimus was released, Paul sent a letter to Philemon asking that Philemon treat Onesimus as an "amici" and be a "patronus" to Onesimus.

Jesus Christ was the ultimate "patronus" and granted the ultimate favor to us when He gave Himself for us as a payment for our sin. Because He is our patronus, we are able to ask favors of Him and we can expect that He will answer our requests for "beneficium".

A Reexamination of the Lordship

of Jesus Christ: Patronage

Thesis Statement

1.1 The title Lord as attributed to Jesus Christ falls short in describing the intimacy of the relationship we can have with Him today. Jesus Christ is not one to command what we do or force His will upon us as God has given us free will. This thesis will show that besides being our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ also acts constantly as our patronus (patron). He constantly looks over us and grants us beneficium and gratia as we have need.

Statement of the problem

1.1.1 The title Lord is indicative of power and authority that one person has over another. The problem is that this title does not address to the intimacy of the relationship that Jesus Christ has with the Body of Christ (the Church of the Body). In the year 1511, when the Bible was first translated into English, we find that the only English word that the translators found they were able to use for ku0rioj was the word ‘Lord’. There were several distinctly different types of lords in sixteenth century England

The Land Lord was anyone who had land upon which peasants worked and/or lived. The relationship between the peasant and the Land Lord was one where the peasant worked the land and paid a certain percentage of what was raised upon the land as a rent, to the Lord. The peasant in most cases was required to pledge his allegiance to the Land Lord.

The Lord of the Manor had authority over all the tenants of a manor.

A member of the House of Lords had one of five titles or positions that made him a lord. The five were duke, marquees, earl, viscount and baron. These lords are titles conferred based upon bloodline and inheritance.

The War Lord was a high-ranking warrior who was referred to as Lord by his subordinates. This type of lord led warriors into battle.

Of all the different types of Lords, Jesus Christ does not fit into any of them

In summary the word Lord, ku)rioj¹, connotes power and authority. It does not represent an intimate relationship.

When we look at ancient Roman custom we can get a better idea of the meaning of this word ku0rioj². The strength of this word is demonstrated by how ku)rioj was used in everyday life. It is the intention of this thesis to demonstrate what the Romans meant when they called someone by this title and what it means when we call Jesus Christ our Lord. The intention of this paper is for us to see the intimacy of relationship that is immediately available to us when we become born again as Christian believers.

The world that Jesus Christ lived in was ruled by the Roman Empire. After the Romans took control of Israel and Jerusalem in the year 70 BC. the culture of the Roman Empire slowly became integrated into the Jew’s everyday life.

This paper will explore deeply the concept of patronage and how this concept relates to Jesus Christ as our patronus. The patronus and cliens (patron and client) relationship will be explored. The institution of patronage will be explored historically and politically. The granting of patronage and the hierarchal situation this developed and established, are the foundations of this study.

Methods of Research

1.1.2 This study begins with the viewpoint that the Bible is the inspired and true Word of God. Any errors in translation come from either a deficiency in our understanding or a problem with our understanding. The author does not believe that there are any contradictions in the Bible, as God is perfect and therefore His Word must also be perfect. The thesis will examine the historical concepts of Roman patronage, as Rome was the ruling governing body of the day. Verses in the New Testament will be examined as to their relevance to patronage. The Old Testament book of Ruth will also be examined in regards to a patronage relationship.

All Biblical quotations are from the Authorized Version