No two works in the Pauline Epistles resemble each other as closely as Colossians and Ephesians.
Her research has been supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada..
Tulloch) A Women\'s Place: House Churches in Earliest Christianity (Fortress, 2006).
She and Carolyn Osiek have coauthored (with Janet H.
Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia.
Mac Donald is a professor in the department of religious studies at St.
Margaret Y.
She shows the struggles of the New Testament communities to survive and maintain a distinct identity in first-century society.
In particular, she reflects on the issues faced by these communities as they formed institutions and interacted with the society around them.
She illustrates how the texts reflect ancient cultural values and are influenced by particular aspects of community life such as worship and household existence.
Mac Donald highlights the interplay between Colossians and Ephesians and the social life of New Testament communities.
Moreover, by paying attention to subtle differences between the two letters, she brings their distinct perspectives into sharp relief.
As Mac Donald addresses these classic questions, she offers a fresh perspective on Colossians and Ephesians by making use of insights from the social sciences.
Most commentaries on these letters seem preoccupied with the same few issues, particularly the question of authorship.
Often recognized for their majestic tone and powerful theological statement, Colossians and Ephesians also present many challenges of interpretation.
No two works in the Pauline Epistles resemble each other as closely as Colossians and Ephesians
