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Zusatztext A fascinating display of comparative analysis, Religion of the Gods combines mastery of scholarly sources, vigorous use of phenomenological method, and an interpretive theory that boldly challenges current projectionist approaches to ritual and religion. Klappentext This book seeks to explain an enigmatic and paradoxical image common to many of the world religions, both polytheistic and monotheistic--that of the god who worships. Drawing on a broad array of comparative evidence, including examples from Indian, Iranian, Germanic, Jewish, Christian, and Islamic religions, Patton fashions a new theory of "divine reflexivity," according to which the gods create, model, and comment upon those practices with which they are related, not just as recipients but as prototypes. This theory offers a satisfying basis of interpretation for such disparate cases as the bull- slaying god of Mithraism, and the sacrifice of Christ on the cross as repeated in the Christian mass. With its new explanation of a fascinating religious phenomenon, this book will be of great to both comparativists and to scholars of the individual religions discussed. Zusammenfassung Seeks to explain an enigmatic image common to many of the world religions, both polytheistic and monotheistic, that of the God who worships. Drawing on an array of comparative evidence, this book suggests a theory of 'divine reflexivity'. It is of interest to comparativists and to scholars of the individual religions under discussion.
