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Spirit Epicleses in the Acts of Thomas
Susan E. Myers
出版
Mohr Siebeck
, 2010
主題
Religion / General
Religion / Biblical Studies / General
Religion / Biblical Criticism & Interpretation / New Testament
Religion / Biblical Studies / New Testament / General
Religion / Biblical Studies / Exegesis & Hermeneutics
Religion / Biblical Studies / Bible Study Guides
Religion / Christianity / History
Religion / Christian Theology / General
Religion / Theology
Religion / Christian Church / History
ISBN
3161494725
9783161494727
URL
http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=R7oK3kaI4U0C&hl=&source=gbs_api
EBook
SAMPLE
註釋
The most complete example of an early Christian novel about an historical figure, the third-century
Acts of Thomas
contains within it two prayers that are strikingly similar in style and content. Each is found in the context of Christian initiation and each is addressed to a feminine deity who is asked to come to be present in the ritual. The prayers address the feminine Spirit, who is called Mother, fellowship of the male, and dove, among other titles. Susan E. Myers examines these prayers in their historical, literary, and liturgical contexts, and challenges some of the prevailing assumptions about Syriac-speaking Christianity in general, and the
Acts of Thomas
in particular.She extensively analyzes the
Acts of Thomas
, beginning with questions of authorship, provenance, and dating of the work. At the core of the study is a detailed analysis of the redactional character of the
Acts of Thomas
, especially the prayer language within it. The author argues that the liturgical scenes reveal a form of Christian initiation that apparently included an anointing with optional water baptism, and a Eucharist of bread and water only.Susan E. Myers continues by examining other prayers to deities in the ancient world, and concludes with an analysis of the theological content of the prayers themselves. They are addressed to the Spirit, who appears as a feminine revealer figure who can be invoked to be present in ritual action with her devotees.