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This book examines the relationship between the growth of Christianity in Greece and the belief in resurrection from the dead. It gives a clear presentation of various generally unknown aspects about traditional Greek religion, such as stories about people being made physically immortal and the Greek fascination with the flesh.
List of contents
Introduction: Dilemmas of the Flesh Where do we Stand? The Attraction of Immortal Flesh The Possibility of Immortal New Beliefs, Old Beliefs Jewish Beliefs on the Afterlife The Challenge of Immortal Flesh The Success of Immortal Flesh Bibliography
About the author
DAG ØISTEIN ENDSJØ is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Bergen, Norway, specializing in Greek religion and early Christianity.
Summary
This book examines the relationship between the growth of Christianity in Greece and the belief in resurrection from the dead. It gives a clear presentation of various generally unknown aspects about traditional Greek religion, such as stories about people being made physically immortal and the Greek fascination with the flesh.
Additional text
"This is a lively, highly enjoyable, scholarly, and innovative book considering the theme of Greek ideas about bodily resurrection in the light of the Gospel traditions. The author is to be commended for covering such demanding ground with such a light touch. The work will be an important addition to the literature, and should be required reading in New Testament departments, as well as being equally valuable in schools of Classics and Ancient History. This is a timely and important study. " - Rev. Dr. John Anthony McGuckin, Nielsen Professor in Late Antique and Byzantine Christian History, Union Theological Seminary, and Professor of Byzantine Christian Studies, Columbia University
"This research project is completely new and unique. In his remarkable and well-written monograph, Endsjø proposes nothing less than new general hypotheses of Greek, Jewish, and Christian eschatology and their interrelations. I am deeply impressed by the creative force of his original redefinition. With his innovative approach to analyzing the connection between Greek, Jewish, and Early Christian views on resurrection and immortality, Endsjø forces his readers to reconsider the whole issue." - Per Bilde, Aarhus University, Denmark in Numen 58 (2011)
Report
"This is a lively, highly enjoyable, scholarly, and innovative book considering the theme of Greek ideas about bodily resurrection in the light of the Gospel traditions. The author is to be commended for covering such demanding ground with such a light touch. The work will be an important addition to the literature, and should be required reading in New Testament departments, as well as being equally valuable in schools of Classics and Ancient History. This is a timely and important study. " - Rev. Dr. John Anthony McGuckin, Nielsen Professor in Late Antique and Byzantine Christian History, Union Theological Seminary, and Professor of Byzantine Christian Studies, Columbia University
"This research project is completely new and unique. In his remarkable and well-written monograph, Endsjø proposes nothing less than new general hypotheses of Greek, Jewish, and Christian eschatology and their interrelations. I am deeply impressed by the creative force of his original redefinition. With his innovative approach to analyzing the connection between Greek, Jewish, and Early Christian views on resurrection and immortality, Endsjø forces his readers to reconsider the whole issue." - Per Bilde, Aarhus University, Denmark in Numen 58 (2011)
