The concept of purity at Qumran and in the letters of Paul
This examination of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Letters of Paul finds that, in both these bodies of literature, religious self-understanding is expressed in terms of the concept of purity so important to primitive religion and earlier Judaism. Dr Newton contradicts the view held by most scholars th...
| Summary: | This examination of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Letters of Paul finds that, in both these bodies of literature, religious self-understanding is expressed in terms of the concept of purity so important to primitive religion and earlier Judaism. Dr Newton contradicts the view held by most scholars that the traditional Jewish attitude to purity had no place in Christianity. By using the concept of purity not unlike that at Qumran or of Pharisaic and Rabbinic Judaism, Paul could elucidate his views on, among other things, the nature of the Church, the divine presence, the basis of ethical behaviour and the significance of the death of Jesus. 1. Introduction -- 2. The concept of purity in the Qumran community -- Introduction -- Entry into the community: the "purity" and the "drink" at Qumran -- Life within the community: maintenance of purity at Qumran -- Exclusion from the community: sin and impurity at Qumran -- Conclusions -- 3. Purity and the cult in the letters of Paul -- Introduction -- The Christian community as the temple -- Paul as priest to the Christian community -- The believer as both sacrificial offering and priest -- Christ as kapporet -- Conclusions -- 4. Purity and membership of the church -- Introduction -- Washing, sanctification and justification: entrance into the religious community -- Preparation for the eschaton: the maintenance of purity -- Cleansing the community: keeping the church pure -- Conclusions -- 5. Purity and the continuing life of the church -- Table fellowship and the purity of food -- Sexual immorality -- Corpse uncleanness -- 2 Corinthians 6:14 to 7:1 and purity -- 6. Conclusion |
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| Item Description: | Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015) |
| ISBN: | 0511555024 |
| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1017/CBO9780511555022 |