Gnostic Morality Revisited

Voorkant
Mohr Siebeck, 18 jun 2015 - 253 pagina's
While the early Christian texts discussed in this book are often treated as "gnostic" ones, they are here approached as witnesses to the views of educated Christians engaged in dialogue with philosophical traditions. Following the idea that ancient philosophical schools provided their adherents with ways of life, Ismo Dunderberg explores issues related to morality and lifestyle in non-canonical gospels and among groups that were gradually denounced as heretical in the church. He deals with the soul's progress from material concerns to a life dominated by spirit, the control of emotions, the avoidance of luxury, the ideal "perfect human" as a tool in moral instruction, classifications of humankind into distinct groups based on their moral advancement, and Christian debates about the value of martyrdom. In addition, he offers a critical review of some recent trends and attitudes in New Testament scholarship.
 

Inhoudsopgave

Acknowledgements
1
Moral Progress in Early Christian Stories of the Soul
32
Judas Anger and the Perfect Human
39
Early Christian Critics of Martyrdom
57
Gnostic Interpretations of Genesis
79
Johannine Traditions and Apocryphal Gospels
93
Stoic Traditions in the School of Valentinus
117
Valentinian Theories on Classes of Humankind
137
Paul and Valentinian Morality
149
New Testament Theology and the Challenge of Practice
169
How Far Can You Go? Jesus John the Synoptics
191
Bibliography
209
Index of Ancient Sources
227
Index of Modern Authors
241
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