Dr Sylvia Keesmaat: Resisting Empire and Forming Communities

This week I got to speak with Canadian theologian and prominent author, Dr Sylvia Keesmaat. Sylvia is a biblical scholar, obtaining her doctorate at Oxford University, studying with N.T. Wright. She is a professor of biblical studies and hermeneutics at the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto. Sylvia is the co-author, with her husband, Brian Walsh, of the popular books Romans Disarmed and Colossians Remixed, both books highlighting how the gospel challenges dominating powers and invites alternative, justice‑oriented ways of life both in the first century and today.

In this conversation we talk about her work that centres around hearing Paul’s letters in their socio-political terms, about his anti-Empire language and what that means for us today. We also talk about hope and lament, and how we need to be forming communities that are grounded in the place they’re in, as well in important teachings.