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Desiring Divinity: Self-deification in Early Jewish and Christian Mythmaking

Online ISBN:
9780190467180
Print ISBN:
9780190467166
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Book

Desiring Divinity: Self-deification in Early Jewish and Christian Mythmaking

M. David Litwa
M. David Litwa
University of Virginia
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Published online:
20 October 2016
Published in print:
1 December 2016
Online ISBN:
9780190467180
Print ISBN:
9780190467166
Publisher:
Oxford University Press

Abstract

Perhaps no declaration incites more theological and moral outrage than a human’s claim to be divine (or self-deification). Those who make this claim in ancient Jewish and Christian mythology are typically represented as the most hubristic and dangerous tyrants. Their horrible punishments are predictable and still serve as cautionary tales in religious communities today. Desiring Divinity explores the topic of self-deification in ancient Jewish and Christian mythology. Six case studies tell the stories of key self-deifiers in their historical, social, literary, and ideological contexts. The initial three figures have, in the history of interpretation, been demonized as cosmic rebels. They include the primal human in Ezekiel 28, Lucifer (or Helel) in Isaiah 14, and Yaldabaoth in gnostic mythology. By contrast, the final three figures have served as heroes and positive models of deification. They include Jesus in the gospel of John, Simon of Samaria in the Great Declaration, and Allogenes in the Nag Hammadi library. A brief conclusion treats the relevance of self-deification mythology for today.

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