Publisher's Synopsis
The biblical testimonies are essential for the basic work and reflection of diaconal action: What do the Old and New Testaments say about helping and healing, diaconal or charitable action by Jews and Christians? How is diaconal action justified? What characterizes diaconal action? The present volume is devoted to nine exemplary contributions to the New Testament testimony and supplements this with a look at the use of diakonia in Philon of Alexandria. The contributions in this volume largely follow the canonical arrangement of the New Testament writings: An overview article at the beginning of "New Testament Foundations of Diakonia" is followed by the article "Jesus' gift of life as a basic impulse for a theology of diakonia". This is followed by four contributions on the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. This is followed by two contributions by Paul and one on Philo of Alexandria.
