John H. Elliott (biblical scholar)

John H. Elliott (1935-2020) was an American biblical scholar and Roman Catholic priest, known for his groundbreaking work in social-scientific criticism of the New Testament, particularly his studies of 1 Peter. He was a prominent voice in applying sociological perspectives to the interpretation of biblical texts, aiming to understand the social world and context within which the early Christians lived and the New Testament was written.

Elliott earned his doctorate from the University of Münster in Germany. He taught at the University of San Francisco and later at the University of St. Jerome's College at the University of Waterloo in Canada.

His most significant contribution lies in his detailed analysis of 1 Peter through the lens of social identity theory and diaspora studies. Elliott argued that 1 Peter was addressed to a marginalized and socially alienated group of Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor, emphasizing their identity as the "elect exiles" of God. He demonstrated how the letter's exhortations to virtuous conduct were intended to help these Christians maintain their social boundaries and resist assimilation into the surrounding pagan culture.

Key publications by John H. Elliott include:

• The God of the Living: Jesus within Judaism (1974)
• A Home for the Homeless: A Sociological Exegesis of 1 Peter, Its Situation and Strategy (1981) - This work is considered his magnum opus and a cornerstone of social-scientific criticism of the New Testament.
• What is Social-Scientific Criticism? (1993)
• 1 Peter: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary (2000)
• Conflict, Community, and Identity in Early Jewish Christianity (2008)

Elliott's work has been highly influential in shaping the field of New Testament studies and has opened up new avenues for understanding the social dimensions of the early Christian movement. His emphasis on the importance of understanding the socio-historical context of the biblical texts continues to be a vital component of contemporary biblical scholarship.