ABSTRACT
In this chapter the authors listen more attentively to the ‘theological voice‘. They look at the effect which Rome‘s marketing world had on the peasants of rural Galilee and the response offered by Jesus of Nazareth and the Galilean Jesus movement of the 30s CE and later. Central was Jesus’ teaching on possessions and the renewal of Torah life amongst Galilee‘s villagers. His teaching is foundational for subsequent generations of disciples who explore it further for their own local context. Their insights are found in what scholars have called ‘Q’, one of the earliest writings of the movement, and the gospels Mark and Luke, penned in the latter part of the first century CE. These writers integrated the essence of Jesus’ social and implied economic renewal for their respective audiences. They address a concern about greed and social status, encourage reciprocal interchange and friendship, a style of discipleship unencumbered by accumulated wealth and possessions, and a spirit of debt forgiveness.
