Integrating patristics and early Jewish mysticism, this book examines Gregory of Nyssa's tabernacle imagery, as found in Life of Moses 2. 170-201. Previous scholarship has often focused on Gregory's interpretation of the darkness on Mount Sinai as divine incomprehensibility. However, true to Exodus, Gregory continues with Moses's vision of the tabernacle 'not made with hands' received within that darkness. This innovative methodology of heuristic comparison doesn't strive to prove influence, but to use heavenly ascent texts as a foil, in order to shed new light on Gregory's imagery. Ann Conway-Jones presents a well-rounded, nuanced understanding of Gregory's exegesis, in which mysticism, theology, and politics are intertwined. Heavenly ascent texts use descriptions of religious experience to claim authoritative knowledge. For Gregory, the high point of Moses's ascent into the darkness of Mount Sinai is the mystery of Christian doctrine. The heavenly tabernacle is a type of the heavenly Christ. This mystery is beyond intellectual comprehension, it can only be grasped by faith; and only the select few, destined for positions of responsibility, should even attempt to do so.
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This book identifies Gregory's biblical sources as well as the influences of both his Alexandrian predecessors (Philo, Clement, and Origen) and his fourth-century context, before comparing the life to other heavenly-ascent texts.
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Dedication ; Preface ; Abbreviations ; 1. Gregory, the Tabernacle, and Heavenly Ascent ; 2. Gregory of Nyssa and Life of Moses ; 3. Biblical Contexts ; 4. Alexandrian Context ; 5. Heavenly Ascent Context ; 6. Darkness ; 7. The Tabernacle Not Made with Hands ; 8. Christological Interpretation ; 9. Divine Names ; 10. Heavenly Powers ; 11. The Earthly Tabernacle ; 12. Heavenly and Earthly Worship ; 13. The Holy of Holies ; 14. The Priestly Vestments ; 15. The Value of Heuristic Comparison ; Conclusions ; Appendix: Translation of Life of Moses 1.46-56, 61; 2.162-201 ; Glossary ; Bibliography
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All in all this is a fascinating, and well written study, a deep and close exegetical work of fine attentiveness, that opens up fresh and lively prospects in the thought-world of Gregory of Nyssa. It is highly recommended and would make an excellent seminar text for discussion at Masters or Doctoral level.
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Explores the Jewish roots of Christian mysticism with an in-depth case study Initiates a conversation between two different fields of study: patristics and early Jewish mysticism Investigates the tabernacle imagery in Gregory of Nyssaâs treatise The Life of Moses Identifies Gregoryâs biblical sources as well as the influences of both his Alexandrian predecessors (Philo, Clement, Origen) and his fourth century theological context Compares and contrasts Gregoryâs work with Hellenistic and Late Antique heavenly ascent texts, Jewish and Christian. The scholarship on these texts is mined for new questions to be asked of Life of Moses Presents a well-rounded, nuanced understanding of Gregoryâs exegesis, in which mysticism, theology, and politics are intertwined
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Ann Conway-Jones is an Accredited Lay Worker of the Church of England, who has worked in a parish and as a university chaplain. She has long been involved in Jewish-Christian relations, and is now joint Honorary Secretary of the Council of Christians and Jews. Dr Conway-Jones teaches theology in both academic and church settings; and has been appointed an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham.
Les mer
Explores the Jewish roots of Christian mysticism with an in-depth case study Initiates a conversation between two different fields of study: patristics and early Jewish mysticism Investigates the tabernacle imagery in Gregory of Nyssaâs treatise The Life of Moses Identifies Gregoryâs biblical sources as well as the influences of both his Alexandrian predecessors (Philo, Clement, Origen) and his fourth century theological context Compares and contrasts Gregoryâs work with Hellenistic and Late Antique heavenly ascent texts, Jewish and Christian. The scholarship on these texts is mined for new questions to be asked of Life of Moses Presents a well-rounded, nuanced understanding of Gregoryâs exegesis, in which mysticism, theology, and politics are intertwined
Les mer

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780198715399
Publisert
2014
Utgiver
Vendor
Oxford University Press
Vekt
622 gr
Høyde
241 mm
Bredde
162 mm
Dybde
28 mm
Aldersnivå
UU, UP, 05
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
316

Forfatter

Om bidragsyterne

Ann Conway-Jones is an Accredited Lay Worker of the Church of England, who has worked in a parish and as a university chaplain. She has long been involved in Jewish-Christian relations, and is now joint Honorary Secretary of the Council of Christians and Jews. Dr Conway-Jones teaches theology in both academic and church settings; and has been appointed an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham.