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A collection of essays exploring the concept of purity in the Old and New Testaments and in the theological traditions of the Christian churches.
In ancient societies and religion, the concept of purity was of central importance; in many modern societies it is either irrelevant or, when it is used, attached to extremely conservative agendas. This suggests an interesting story to be told within the history of ideas and, at the same time, raises questions about the place, meaning, and use of purity in religious traditions. What does purity mean in different scriptural contexts? Is it synonymous with holiness or different? How has it been used within various strands of theology? What should we make of it today? Have we moderns, by discarding purity as an organising social form, lost something essential or have we made a significant moral advance? Or both? This volume addresses these questions in essays on biblical genres, books and different theological traditions. Accessibly written and incisive in its scholarship, Purity will be of interest to both specialists and non-specialists alike.
In ancient societies and religion, the concept of purity was of central importance; in many modern societies it is either irrelevant or, when it is used, attached to extremely conservative agendas. This suggests an interesting story to be told within the history of ideas and, at the same time, raises questions about the place, meaning, and use of purity in religious traditions. What does purity mean in different scriptural contexts? Is it synonymous with holiness or different? How has it been used within various strands of theology? What should we make of it today? Have we moderns, by discarding purity as an organising social form, lost something essential or have we made a significant moral advance? Or both? This volume addresses these questions in essays on biblical genres, books and different theological traditions. Accessibly written and incisive in its scholarship, Purity will be of interest to both specialists and non-specialists alike.
Price: $36.95
Pages: 295
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Inc.
Imprint: James Clarke
Publication Date:
31 August 2017
Trim Size: 9.02 X 6.02 in
ISBN: 9780227176627
Format: Paperback
BISACs:
HISTORY / Wars & Conflicts / World War II / General, Second World War, RELIGION / Christian Theology / General, Christianity, Theology
Purity has long been a neglected category. Didn't Jesus declare all foods clean? Purity is, however, a significant New Testament concern, so a wide-ranging volume of essays on purity is to be welcomed. The final essay firmly recommends against a comeback for purity language, but for all the need to hear its cautions, the essays overall suggest an important future for interest in purity.
— John Nolland, Trinity College, Bristol, UK
Today's widespread interest in spirituality always runs the risk of becoming a kind of folk theology, more interested in relevance than depth. At the same time, the concept of purity does not appear to have the major importance in contemporary ethical and theological discussion that it once had. This landmark collection of essays on purity and the related concept of holiness by experts in biblical and theological studies will help deepen the understanding of all those engaged in spiritual and pastoral guidance.
— T.A. Noble, Nazarene Theological Seminary, Kansas City, MO
— John Nolland, Trinity College, Bristol, UK
Today's widespread interest in spirituality always runs the risk of becoming a kind of folk theology, more interested in relevance than depth. At the same time, the concept of purity does not appear to have the major importance in contemporary ethical and theological discussion that it once had. This landmark collection of essays on purity and the related concept of holiness by experts in biblical and theological studies will help deepen the understanding of all those engaged in spiritual and pastoral guidance.
— T.A. Noble, Nazarene Theological Seminary, Kansas City, MO
Preface
Acknowledgments
List of Contributors
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
Andrew Brower Latz and Arseny Ermakov
Part I Purity in Scripture
1 Purity and Impurity in the Hebrew Bible
Mila Ginsburskaya
2 Leviticus and Purity
Dwight D. Swanson
3 Purity in the Prophets
C. E. Shepherd
4 Purity in the Wisdom Books and Psalms
R. Michael Fox
5 Purity in the Synoptic Gospels
Arseny Ermakov
6 Purity in the Gospel of John
Kent Brower
7 Purity in Paul
Sarah Whittle
8 Purity in the Epistle to the Hebrews
Kevin Anderson
Part II Purity in Theology
9 Purity in Orthodox Theology
Leonard Aldea
10 Purity in Catholic Theology
Ben Kautzer
11 Purity in Anglican Theology
Susan Dowell
12 Purity in the Wesleyan Tradition
Joseph W. Cunningham
13 Purity in Future Theology
Andrew Brower Latz
Acknowledgments
List of Contributors
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
Andrew Brower Latz and Arseny Ermakov
Part I Purity in Scripture
1 Purity and Impurity in the Hebrew Bible
Mila Ginsburskaya
2 Leviticus and Purity
Dwight D. Swanson
3 Purity in the Prophets
C. E. Shepherd
4 Purity in the Wisdom Books and Psalms
R. Michael Fox
5 Purity in the Synoptic Gospels
Arseny Ermakov
6 Purity in the Gospel of John
Kent Brower
7 Purity in Paul
Sarah Whittle
8 Purity in the Epistle to the Hebrews
Kevin Anderson
Part II Purity in Theology
9 Purity in Orthodox Theology
Leonard Aldea
10 Purity in Catholic Theology
Ben Kautzer
11 Purity in Anglican Theology
Susan Dowell
12 Purity in the Wesleyan Tradition
Joseph W. Cunningham
13 Purity in Future Theology
Andrew Brower Latz