When patrons are patrons: A social-scientific and realistic reading of the parable of the Feast (Lk 14:16b–23)

Abstract

This article presents a social-scientific and realistic interpretation of the parable of the Feast. The characteristics of a pre-industrial city are used to determine the realism of the parable. The social-scientific interpretation of the parable considers meals as ceremonies. The cultural values embedded in meals, namely honour and shame, patronage, reciprocity and purity, receive attention. The social dynamics of invitations in the 1st-century Mediterranean world is used as a lens to understand the invitations as an honour challenge, and the social game of gossip is used to obtain an understanding of the excuses in the parable. The conclusion reached is that the parable turns the world in which it is told upside down. As such, the parable has something to say about the injustices that are a part of the society we live in.

The Effect of Political Environment on Service Delivery: A Study of Political Instability, Patronage and Factionalism in a Municipal Environment

“…However, that municipality could still fulfil their duty by ensuring that the way they deliver services is environmentally friendly. The discharge of municipal powers and functions and specifically service delivery, have been seen by some scholars as being affected by political instability (Beresford (2015); Jakkie & Ciara (2016) political patronage (Kgatle,2016;Blok 1969;Van Eck 2013;Mamogale, 2015)and factionalism (Rose (1964); Hine (1982); Ceron (2014). Therefore, this article demonstrates a critical concern of how these factors (political instability, patronage and factionalism) in a municipal environment affect service delivery.…”

“…A patron has access to social, economic and political resources that are needed by a client. In return, a client can give expression of loyalty and honour that are useful for the patron (Blok, 1969 andVan Eck, 2013). Political patronage is an exchange relationship in which a variety of goods and services are traded between the principal and the agent (Mamogale, 2015).…”

An unexpected patron: A social-scientific and realistic reading of the parable of the Vineyard Labourers (Mt 20:1–15)

“…24 For the hearers, the parable starts with a shock. Firstly, as in the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Great Feast, and the Merchant, the kingdom is likened to a negatively-marked character (see Van Eck 2011a, 2013, in press b), someone not normally associated with the kingdom. The owner, when read in the context of available contemporary evidence, most probably was one of the wealthy sub-elites who owned large estates and converted the land to viticulture dedicated to the production of export crops.…”