The Social Network of Philip in Acts: A Dynamic Pioneering Missionary

Abstract

This study seeks to explore, how Luke presents the narrative portrayal of Philip in Acts utilizing Social Network Analysis (SNA) and presents an interdisciplinary study combining methods from Theology, Social Sciences, and Computer Science. First, we provide a detailed methodological discussion that highlights the overlap between narrative criticism and SNA. Combining both, we present results in a mathematical computational social networks using exegetical methods. SNA presents different perspectives on one of those minor actors, which Luke presents in more detail, and his relation to the nascent Christian movement in Acts. This study shows that it is in the relational aspects and the crossing of social, cultural, and religious distances that are key to understanding Luke’s story of Philip’s ministry. In particular, he presents Philip as a dynamic pioneering missionary. These results also raise new questions for further research, and show new perspective on biblical texts