The Protevangelium of James: A Priestly Drama of Divine Indwelling
In view of persistently unresolved questions over whether the assorted segments of the Protevangelium of James can be read as a unified narrative, this study proposes a new account of the work’s complete thematic unity. Taking the Nativity as the Protevangelium’s overarching concern, I suggest that...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Brill
2023
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| In: |
Vigiliae Christianae
Year: 2023, Volume: 77, Issue: 1, Pages: 1-25 |
| Further subjects: | B
Mariology
B Christology B Protevangelium of James B Purity B Priestly writings |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | In view of persistently unresolved questions over whether the assorted segments of the Protevangelium of James can be read as a unified narrative, this study proposes a new account of the work’s complete thematic unity. Taking the Nativity as the Protevangelium’s overarching concern, I suggest that its narrative arises principally from the dramatic relationship between purity and divine indwelling characteristic of the Tabernacle narrative (Ex 25–40, Lev 1–16). As the Protevangelium begins to reach its final form during the second century CE, it becomes ordered around narrating the Christ Child as the locus of divine indwelling, a view which binds together the otherwise discordant opening chapters on Mary’s upbringing and closing chapters on Zechariah’s martyrdom. The Protevangelium invites its readers to consider how the God of Israel could indwell human conception and birth, while neither abolishing the Priestly law nor permitting his unapproachable Presence to suffer diminishment. |
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| ISSN: | 1570-0720 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Vigiliae Christianae
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1163/15700720-bja10047 |