Human beings are embedded in a set of social relations. A social network is one way of conceiving that set of relations in terms of a number of persons connected to one another by varying degrees of relatedness. In the early Jesus-group documents featuring Paul and coworkers, it takes little effort to envision the apostle's collection of friends and friends of friends that is the Pauline network. The persons who constituted that network are the focus of this set of brief books. For Christians of the Western tradition, these persons are significant ancestors in faith. While each of them is worth knowing by themselves, it is largely because of their standing within that web of social relations woven about and around Paul that they are of lasting interest. Through this series we hope to come to know those persons in ways befitting their first-century Mediterranean culture.

Women played a prominent role in the development of the early Jesus communities and formed an essential part of Paul's social network. Lydia was one such woman. Her heart was opened to Paul's message, she responded with faith by being baptized, and she offered her home in hospitality to Paul and his companions. But beyond this not much is known of her. In Lydia: Paul's Cosmopolitan Hostess, Richard S.Ascough constructs an image of Lydia based on what is known about the political, commercial, social, and religious norms of the first-century world. Ascough describes the styles of possible dwellings in which Lydia could have lived, the business opportunities that would have been available to her, and the religious cults that held sway in Philippi at the time. With Ascough, readers will find that the importance of Lydia's story is that she hears the message of God through Paul and responds with faith.

About the Author
Bruce J. Malina, STD, is professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Creighton University in Omaha. He is the author of numerous works, including The New Testament World: Insights from Cultural Anthropology (Atlanta: John Knox, 1981; rev. ed., 1993; Louisville: Westminster/Knox, 3rd rev. ed., 2001); with John J. Pilch, Social Science Commentary on the Letters of Paul (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2006); and with John J. Pilch, Social Science Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2008).

Reviews
Ascough's reconstruction of the person and role of Lydia is always possible, and indeed, plausible.Religious Studies Review
Ascough is well versed in the social-scientific method and his broad knowledge of Paul's social world helps make this thin book very readable and interesting. Readers will go away wanting to know more, not only about Lydia but about the series.Catholic Library World
Richard Ascough has written a terrific study of Lydia (Acts 16:11-15, 40). It is succinct, readable, and short.Word & World
[A] treasure-trove of historical information on [Lydia's] identity, the city of Thyatira, the Philippian assembly of believers, her household, the nature and role of woman in first-century business, and much more. . . . Anyone preaching through the journeys of Paul will find it a helpful resource.The Master's Seminary Journal
Ascough . . . manages to use every scrap of Luke's description to help situate this early follower of Paul in her social, cultural, and religious context. Readers will not only rediscover this enticing New Testament character but learn a lot about the context of early Christianity.The Bible Today
Richard S. Ascough gives readers the best picture he can of one of history's behind the scenes players. Lydia is well worth the read for Christian scholars and those simply intrigued by the history of early Christianity.Midwest Book Review
Although Lydia only appears briefly in Acts, Richard Ascough, an expert on Paul and the formation and function of ancient associations, explores the various roles and social contexts of this cosmopolitan character from Asia Minor. In doing so, the author provides the reader not only an engaging introduction to Lydia, but to the various ways in which women figured importantly within Paul's social network. In keeping with the series, Ascough writes with consistent attention to ancient Mediterranean cultural and social contexts such that we can appreciate this intriguing figure within her own world. This was a very enjoyable book.Alicia Batten, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, University of Sudbury
Ascough engages in an absolutely fascinating bit of detective work and brings Lydia, a Pauline co-worker, into sharp relief. Ascough builds on the scant evidence in Acts and concludes that Lydia had found liberty from her guardians (males), had freedom to take care of her own affairs, and had the independence to run her own household. She was a merchant trader and householder, who was active in the network of Paul's coworkers as host and patron to the Jesus group in Philippi. This is an excellent book that demonstrates the utility of social-scientific models.Dietmar Neufeld, Associate Professor of Christian Origins, Associate Head of Classical, Near Eastern, and Religious Studies, University of British Columbia



Book Information
ISBN 9780814652695
Author Richard S. Ascough
Format Paperback
Page Count 144
Imprint Liturgical Press
Publisher Liturgical Press
Weight(grams) 170g
Dimensions(mm) 210mm * 137mm * 6mm