Literary Construction of the Other in the Acts of the Apostles

Mitzi Smith engages the reader in explaining how, as in the real world, the characterization of the Others is used negatively in the biblical texts. Smith shows how the concept of difference is constructed in order to distinguish ourselves from proximate others: indeed, the other who is most similar to us is most threatening and most problematic. The process of Othering, or Otherness, is a synthetic and political social construct that allows us to create and maintain boundaries between 'them' and 'us'. Thus, this work demonstrates how proximate characters are constructed as the Other in the Acts of the Apostles. Charismatics, Jews, and women are proximate others who are constructed as the external and internal Others.

'Here Mitzi Smith provides a subtle and well-written analysis of how the various kinds of characters are portrayed in Acts and what that means for Luke's theology of mission. She moves far beyond the usual literary summaries of Acts: both the nature of language and the nature of story-telling are treated with sensitivity and sophistication, and yet her book is readable for a non-scholarly audience. A must read for all those interested in the literary achievement of Luke and Acts and what it means for Luke's theology.' Lawrence M. Wills, Episcopal Divinity School "... Smith does achieve the desired effect to make readers conscious of 'othering projects inherent in the text' to ensure they are not duplicated 'in actual practice or in public discourse'..." Josh Scott, Theological book review, Vol. 24, No 2, 2012. '...The Literary Construction of the Other in the Acts of the Apostles raises awareness of how Acts, and by extension, other written and spoken narratives, may 'other' certain individuals and groups for the purpose of depicting contrasting characters as approved, capable, or ideal. This is an element of the literary endeavor that interpreters do well to keep in mind...' Julia Snyder, The Expository Times, Vol. 124, Number 9, June 2013 'Along with sociological "othering" theory, Smith draws secondarily upon linguistic transitivity analysis to categorize various ways that characters exert agency in the narrative'. F. Scott Spencer, Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology, Volume 68, No. 1, January 2014 '... the true contribution of this book can be found in its detailed exegesis of the relevant passages and the sustained attention it pays to the theme at hand, a subject that has often been treated only peripherally elsewhere. Smith has successfully demonstrated that such focused study can bear fruit for Acts research.' Rebecca Dean, Pembroke College, Journal of Theological Studies, Vol 65, Issue 1, (April, 2014) "The Literary Construction of the Other in the Acts of Apostles: Charismatics, the Jews, and Women looks at how the early Christians built their self-identity through distinguishing themselves from other groups and people living in their world. Mitzi Smith argues that some seen as the Other were outside the Church, while others were found within." Church Times, (17th April, 2014)

Mitzi J. Smith is Associate Professor of New Testament and Early Christian Studies at Ashland theological Seminary at Detroit. She is a contributor to True to Our Native Land (2008).