Breaking the Mind - New Studies in the Syriac Book of Steps (Hardcover)

Among the earliest writings in Syriac literature is the collection of 30 memre or discourses entitled the Book of Steps or Liber Graduum, mostly probably written in the late fourth century inside the Persian Empire (modern Iraq). The author, who deliberately withheld his name, wrote extensively on the spiritual life and exploits of two groups of committed Christians - the upright and the perfect- that flourished in a period prior to the development of monasticism. Deeply immersed in the exegesis of the Bible as a means of defining and guiding an ascetical lifestyle, the author defends celibacy, absolute poverty, the vocations of prayer, teaching and conflict resolution, as well as insisting that the perfect should not work. In an unparalleled manner for ascetical literature, by the end of the collection the author encourages the predominantly lay ""upright group"" to keep striving for the status of perfection as he is disappointed in the failings of the senior group he calls ""the perfect"". This collection of sixteen new critical essays offers fresh perspectives on the Book of Steps, adding greater detail and depth to our understanding of the work's intriguing picture of early Syriac asceticism as practiced within the life of a local church and community. The contributors offer perspectives on the book's historical context in the midst of the Persian-Roman conflicts, the influence of Manichaeism, dietary images, sexuality and marriage, biblical exegesis and the use of Pauline writings and theology, as well as explorations of the Book of Steps' distinctive approach to the ascetical life.

General

Imprint:	The Catholic University of America Press
Country of origin:	United States
Series:	CUA Studies in Early Christianity
Release date:	December 2013
First published:	December 2013
Editors:	Kristian S. Healand
Dimensions:	229 x 152 x 32mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover - Paper over boards / With dust jacket
Pages:	304
ISBN-13:	978-0-8132-2166-3
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > World history > BCE to 500 CE Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > General > History of religion Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Christianity > Christian worship > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Christianity > Christian institutions & organizations > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Aspects of religions (non-Christian) > Religious institutions & organizations > Religious communities & monasticism Books > History > World history > BCE to 500 CE Books > Religion & Spirituality > Aspects of religions (non-Christian) > Religious institutions & organizations > Religious communities & monasticism Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Christian institutions & organizations > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Christian worship > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > General > History of religion Books > Christianity > Christian Worship Books > Christianity > Christian institutions & organizations > General
LSN:	0-8132-2166-8
Barcode:	9780813221663

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