Gnostic Morality Revisited

ISBN-13: 9783161525674 / Angielski / Twarda / 2015 / 244 str.

Ismo Dunderberg

Opis

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.

O autorze

Born 1963; 1994 Dr. theol. (University of Helsinki); 1995-2003, 2007-08 Research Fellow of the Academy of Finland; 2003-07 Acting Professor of New Testament Studies; since 2008 Professor of New Testament Studies at the Faculty of Theology, University of Helsinki; since 2014 Dean of the Faculty of Theology, University of Helsinki.