Heavenly Perspective : a Study of the Apostle Paul's Response to a Jewish Mystical Movement at Colossae
This book identifies the source of the Colossian error as from within Jewish mystical movements and shows how both the theology and practice which is taught in the epistle is to be understood from this context. The book gives a helpful overview of scholarship that has attempted to identify the nature and source of the Colossian error. The book, unlike many others on the topic, is exegetically driven, and will model thorough and careful exegetical practice. The book interacts with extra-Biblical texts which help the reader to understand the mystical contexts of first centur
Library of New Testament studies, v. 326
1 online resource (277 pages).
9780567439093, 0567439097
1053947020
List of Tables; Preface; Abbreviations; Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION; 1. The Colossian Error; 2. Jewish Settlement in the Lycus Valley; a. The Form of Judaism Practised in Colossae; b. The Composition of the Colossian Church; 3. Authorship; a. Language and Style; b. Theology; c. The Relationship of Colossians to Ephesians and Philemon; d. Conclusion on Authorship; 4. Research Methods
The Primacy of the Text; Chapter 2 AN OVERVIEW OF SCHOLARSHIP; 1. Was there a Colossian Heresy?; 2. Essene Judaism and Gnosticism; a. J.B. Lightfoot; b. The Dead Sea Scrolls. C. An Evaluation of Lightfoot's Interpretation3. Hellenism; a. A Hellenistic Mystery Cult; b. Jewish Gnosticism and Paganism; c. Middle Platonism; d. Cynic Critique; 4. Paganism; a. Judaism and Phrygian Folk-Religion; 5. Judaism; a. A Call for Reappraisal; b. Jewish-Christian Mystical Asceticism; c. Access to Heaven without Mediation; d. Merkabah Mysticism; 6. Conclusion; Chapter 3 JEWISH MYSTICISM; 1. The Development of Merkabah Mysticism; a. The Anthropomorphous Representation of God; b. Heavenly Ascent and Transformation; 2. Survey of Jewish Mystical Texts; a. Ante-Pauline Texts. B. Contemporary Textsc. Post-Pauline Texts; 3. Practices Associated with Heavenly Ascents; a. The Role of Angels; b. Dualism; c. Wisdom; d. Orthodoxy and Orthopraxis; 4. Jewish Mysticism in Asia Minor; a. Paul's Understanding of Jewish Mysticism; 5. Conclusion; Chapter 4 THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST: COLOSSIANS 2.6-8; 1. The Tradition Received from Epaphras: Colossians 2.6-23; 2. The Threat of the Philosophy; a. (omitted); b. (omitted); c. Who/What are (omitted)?; 3. Conclusion; Chapter 5 THE SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST: COLOSSIANS 2.9-15; 1. Poetic Structure; 2. Christology: the Remedy to the Error. A. The 'Fullness' of Christ: Colossians 2.9b. The 'Fullness' of Christians: Colossians 2.10; 3. The Cross of Christ: Victory over the (omitted); a. Religious Ritual; b. The Bondage of the Law and the Forgiveness of Sins; c. Victory over the Powers and Authorities: Colossians 2.15; 4. Conclusion; Chapter 6 THE SHADOW OF ASCETICISM: COLOSSIANS 2.16-19; 1. Jewish Rituals: Colossians 2.16-17; a. Dietary Restrictions; b. Festivals and Celebrations; c. Shadows and Reality; 2. Heavenly Visions and the Worship of Angels; a. (omitted); b. (omitted); c. (omitted); d. (omitted); 3. Conclusion. Chapter 7 THE IMPOTENCE OF THE ERRORISTS' MESSAGE: COLOSSIANS 2.20-231. The Basis of Liberation: the Death of Christ; a. Liberation from Evil Spirits; b. Liberation from Regulations; 2. Conclusion; Chapter 8 WHAT WAS THE COLOSSIAN PHILOSOPHY?; Chapter 9 CHRISTOLOGY
THE ANTIDOTE TO ERROR: COLOSSIANS 1.15-20; 1. Form and Prehistory of Colossians 1.15-20; a. A Pre-Christian Hymn; b. A Pauline Redaction; c. A Pauline Composition; d. Conclusion; 2. The Structure of Colossians 1.15-20; 3. Exegesis of Colossians 1.15-20; a. The Supremacy of Christ in Creation: Colossians 1.15-16
4. The Centrepiece