The Evil Creator: Origins of an Early Christian Idea moves beyond previous Judaist readings to argue that the evil creator is a distinctly Christian idea in biblical interpretations. Through Gnostic and Marcionite readings, Litwa connects ancient analyses of God's wicked actions with analysis in modern theology.
Exploring the complex concept of deification, the book examines its significance throughout Western history, highlighting diverse perspectives from ancient pharaohs to modern transhumanists. It delves into the aspirations of various figures, including megalomaniacs, mystics, and philosophers, who sought divine status through different paths—some by grace, others by will. Central themes include immortality, superhuman power, and transcending earthly existence, illustrating the multifaceted nature of humanity's quest for divinity.
Exploring the concept of deification within Pauline soteriology, this book delves into the Greco-Roman context to address critical historical questions about deity and deification. It examines the types of deification, potential Jewish influences, and Paul's view of Christ's divinity, all while navigating the complexities of ancient Jewish monotheism. By intertwining rigorous historical analysis with theological discourse, it offers a fresh perspective on the Apostle's religious thought. Aimed at academics, it appeals to scholars in Hebrew Bible, New Testament, Classics, and Patristics.
Three Early Christian Teachers of Alexandria and Rome
Focusing on three early Carpocratian leaders, this volume offers an in-depth study and commentary on Epiphanes' fragments, marking the first comprehensive analysis of its kind. It provides detailed profiles of these influential figures and incorporates the latest research on the Carpocratian movement, making it a valuable resource for both students and scholars interested in early Christian theology.
Investigates posthuman transformation (becoming angels and demons) among poets, philosophers, and theologians of the ancient Mediterranean world. Brings together Hellenic, Jewish, Christian, and gnostic authors, and connects their visions of moral transformation to modern transhumanist visions of biotechnical enhancement.