The Other Christs: Imitating Jesus in Ancient Christian Ideologies of Martyrdom

by Candida R. Moss

Overview

Through groundbreaking analysis of early Christian texts, Candida Moss reveals that the words, actions, and deaths of martyrs are modeled on those of Christ. Moss traces this imitation through the literature of the Jesus movement and early church, then examines interpretations of the martyr's death and afterlife. Arguing against the dominant theory that the martyr's death was seen as a sacrifice, Moss finds that beyond death martyrs continue to be assimilated to Christ as intercessors, judges, enthroned monarchs, and banqueters. Though characterization of the martyr as "another Christ" ultimately conflicted with theological commitments to Christ's uniqueness, Moss shows that, for a brief period, the martyr's imitation was viewed as sharing in the status of the exalted Christ.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199739875
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	05/24/2010
Pages:	336
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Candida R. Moss is Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of Notre Dame. She is the winner of the 2011 John Templeton Award for Theological Promise.

Table of Contents

Abbreviations
Introduction
Chapter 1: Suffering Like Christ
Chapter 2: The Martyr as Alter Christus
Chapter 3: The Savior Martyr
Chapter 4: The Martyr's Heaven
Chapter 5: The Martyr as Divine Heir
Conclusion
Appendix
Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

"This is an original and insightful study that contributes significantly to our understanding of the cult of the saints, its literary representation in the acta martyrum, and the development of early Christian Christology and soteriology. It should become a standard work in the history of early Christian martyrdom and a valuable resource for the study of early Christian theology."—-Bryn Mawr Classical Review

" In this fascinating study of Christian martyrdoms from the second and third centuries, Candida Moss opens up a new perspective by researching the implications of the imitatio Christi theme: presenting the martyrs as Other Christs."
—Jan Willem van Henten, Professor of New Testament and Director of the Graduate School for Humanities at the University of Amsterdam

"Scholars of Christian antiquity have long been captivated by the accounts of the pre-Constantinian martyrs. With fresh eyes and theoretically informed interests, Candida "Moss devotes this ground breaking study to one the most significant and overlooked themes of this ancient literature: martyrdom as an imitatio Christi. Anyone in the least interested in the early Christian movement should relish this full and insightful study."
— Bart D. Ehrman, James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

"In The Other Christs, Candida Moss offers a rich and many-layered examination of the ancient Acta of the martyrs, showing how —- despite their many other differences —- these compositions both portray and encourage the imitation of Christ in death as well as in life. Of particular significance is her argument that the Acta represent an important mode of New Testament reception and interpretation. Her skill at putting relatively obscure texts into conversation with all-too-familiar ones leads to a greater appreciation for the place of martyrdom in early Christian thought and practice."
—Luke Timothy Johnson, Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, Emory University

"In this carefully argued study, Candida R. Moss makes a convincing case for the broad diversity of theologies and ideologies at play in pre-Constantinian Christian martyr acts...Moss has a remarkable grasp of the relevant primary literature beyond just the "usual suspects" so often assigned in introductory courses. And the work that she does in this book to put more familiar texts in conversation with lesser known ones is a welcome contribution to the field."—Journal of the American Academy of Religion

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