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Includes entries for maps and atlases.
In this volume Arie Zwiep examines the character and purpose of the Judas-Matthias pericope in Acts 1:15-26 in the wider context of Jewish, Graeco-Roman and early Christian traditions on the death of the wicked in terms of divine retribution. Through a comprehensive analysis of form and function of the pericope in its historical and literary context, this study seeks to discern the distinctly Lukan perspective in the light of first-century reflection on the figure of Judas Iscariot, the role of the Twelve in the earliest Christian communities, and current eschatological expectations that have coloured Luke's narrative presentation. Special consideration is given to the concurrent versions of Judas' death in Matthew 27:3-10 and the writings of Papias.
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How were the Johannine books of the New Testament received by second-century Christians and accorded scriptural status? Charles E. Hill offers a fresh and detailed examination of this question. He dismantles the long-held theory that the Fourth Gospel was generally avoided or resisted by orthodox Christians, while being treasured by various dissenting groups, throughout most of the second century. Integrating a wide range of literary and non-literary sources, this book demonstratesthe failure of several old stereotypes about the Johannine literature. It also collects the full evidence for the second-century Church's conception of these writings as a group: the Johannine books cannot be isolated from each other but must be recognized as a corpus.
The mythical story of fallen angels preserved in 1 Enoch and related literature was profoundly influential during the Second Temple period. In this volume renowned scholar Loren Stuckenbruck explores aspects of that influence and demonstrates how the myth was reused and adapted to address new religious and cultural contexts. Stuckenbruck considers a variety of themes, including demonology, giants, exorcism, petitionary prayer, the birth and activity of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the conversion of Gentiles, "apocalyptic" and the understanding of time, and more. He also offers a theological framework for the myth of fallen angels through which to reconsider several New Testament texts--the Synoptic Gospels, the Gospel of John, Acts, Paul's letters, and the book of Revelation.
Christopher G. Foster identifies Jewish mystical elements in the Dead Sea Scrolls and compares them with analogous features in the Corinthian correspondence to illuminate through differences and similarities how Paul advocates a mystical and communal participation in the Spirit. After defining early Jewish mysticism and introducing the method of heuristic comparison, Part I identifies and investigates mystical elements in Dead Sea Scrolls. Part II compares these findings with corresponding aspects in 1 and 2 Corinthians to demonstrate the largely corporate tenor of participation and transformation in and by the spirit for Paul.