Ancient Jewish and Christian Perceptions of Crucifixion

1. Auflage 2008
ISBN: 978-3-16-149579-3
Verlag: Mohr Siebeck

Buch, Englisch, Band 244, 321 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 511 g

Reihe: Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament. Zweite Reihe

David W. Chapman examines Second Temple and early rabbinic literature and material remains in order to demonstrate the range of ancient Jewish perceptions about crucifixion. Early Christian literature is then shown to reflect awareness of, and interaction with, these Jewish perceptions. Ancient Jewish historical accounts of crucifixion are examined, magical literature is analyzed, and the proverbial use of crucifixion imagery is studied. He pays special attention to Jewish interpretations of key Old Testament texts that mention human bodily suspension in association with execution. Previous studies have demonstrated how pervasive in antiquity was the view of the cross as a terrible and shameful death. In this volume, the author provides further evidence of such views in ancient Jewish communities. More positive perceptions could also be attached to crucifixion insofar as the death could be associated with the innocent sufferer or martyr as well as with latent sacrificial images. Christian literature, proclaiming a crucified Messiah, betrays awareness of these various perceptions by seeking to reject or transform negative stereotypes, or by embracing some of these more positive associations. Thus early Christian literature on the cross exhibits, to a greater degree than is commonly recognized, a reflection upon the various Jewish perceptions of the cross in antiquity.

Zielgruppe

Students and scholars of Early Judaism, Old Testament, New Testament, and Early Christianity, corresponding institutes and libraries.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Chapman, David

Chapman, David W.

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Alte Geschichte & Archäologie Biblische Geschichte & Archäologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Bibelwissenschaften Neues Testament: Exegese, Geschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Jüdische Studien Geschichte des Judentums Geschichte des Judentums: Biblische & Klassische Periode

Über Autor(innen)

Chapman, David W.
Born 1966; 2000 PhD (University of Cambridge); since 2000 Professor of New Testament and Archaeology, Covenant Theological Seminary, Saint Louis, USA.

David W. Chapman: Born 1966; 2000 PhD at the University of Cambridge; since 2000 Assistant Professor of New Testament and Biblical Archaeology, Covenant Theological Seminary, Saint Louis, USA.