This volume contains the proceedings of an international symposium held
at Leuven University on November 30 – December 2, 2011. The contributors
are I. Dunderberg, J. Frey, S. Freyne, P. Herz, N. Huttunen, J.S.
Kloppenborg, D.-A. Koch, M. Labahn, A. Lindemann, T. Nicklas, C.M.
Tuckett, S. Witetschek, and T. Witulski. They deal with various aspects
of this fascinating topic that has received much attention in recent
years. Among the topics addressed are: the influence of the emperor cult
in the Galilee, the similarities and differences between the Roman
emperor cult and the New Testament evidence, the concept of universalism
as understood by Roman and Christian authors, the notion of the divine
judge, the ritual of proskynesis, and methodological problems in
dealing with the emperor cult and the New Testament evidence. Several
essays deal with specific passages from the gospels – the Son of David
title, the controversy on paying taxes, Jesus and the emperors as
miracle workers, the notion of conquering and victory in John, and Roman
characters in the Gospel of John (the basilikos, the centurion,
Pilate).