The Despoliation of Egypt: In Pre-rabbinic, Rabbinic and Patristic Traditions (Vigiliae Christianae Supplements): 92 - Hardcover

Allen, Joel S.

 
9789004167452: The Despoliation of Egypt: In Pre-rabbinic, Rabbinic and Patristic Traditions (Vigiliae Christianae Supplements): 92
Hardcover
ISBN 10: 9004167455 ISBN 13: 9789004167452
Publisher: Brill, 2008

Synopsis

This work examines the role played by the biblical motif of the despoliation of Egypt in the understanding Gentiles had of Jews, and how Jews defended themselves, their heroes and their God in the face of anti-Jewish slander. It also examines the manner in which Christians learned from their rabbinic counterparts how to defend Moses and his God against the gnostic challenge. Beginning with Philo and based on haggadic additions, the embarrassment of the episode was 'healed' through allegory and became a critically important biblical justification for the Christian appropriation of the 'Egyptian treasures' of their Greco-Roman cultural heritage. This work describes how Christians borrowed exegetical traditions from rabbis not only to defend their sacred texts against gnostic attacks but to justify their interest in and appropriation of non-Christian philosophy in their theological understandings.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author

Joel S. Allen, Ph.D. (2006) in History of Biblical Interpretation, Hebrew Union College of Cincinnati, is pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Barbourville Kentucky. He also teaches History and Religion at Union College and Bible at the Appalachian Local Pastors School.

From the Back Cover

This work examines the role played by the biblical motif of the despoliation of Egypt in the understanding Gentiles had of Jews, and how Jews defended themselves, their heroes and their God in the face of anti-Jewish slander. It also examines the manner in which Christians learned from their rabbinic counterparts how to defend Moses and his God against the gnostic challenge. Beginning with Philo and based on haggadic additions, the embarrassment of the episode was 'healed' through allegory and became a critically important biblical justification for the Christian appropriation of the 'Egyptian treasures' of their Greco-Roman cultural heritage. This work describes how Christians borrowed exegetical traditions from rabbis not only to defend their sacred texts against gnostic attacks but to justify their interest in and appropriation of non-Christian philosophy in their theological understandings.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
Brill
Publication date
2008
Language
English
ISBN 10 
9004167455
ISBN 13 
9789004167452
Binding
Hardcover
Edition number
1
Number of pages
308

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9789047433569: The Despoliation of Egypt: In Pre-Rabbinic, Rabbinic and Patristic Traditions

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ISBN 10:  9047433564 ISBN 13:  9789047433569
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