Saturday, 17 April 2010

[J704.Ebook] Ebook Download Body and Character in Luke and Acts: The Subversion of Physiognomy in Early Christianity, by Mikeal C. Parsons

Ebook Download Body and Character in Luke and Acts: The Subversion of Physiognomy in Early Christianity, by Mikeal C. Parsons

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Body and Character in Luke and Acts: The Subversion of Physiognomy in Early Christianity, by Mikeal C. Parsons

Body and Character in Luke and Acts: The Subversion of Physiognomy in Early Christianity, by Mikeal C. Parsons



Body and Character in Luke and Acts: The Subversion of Physiognomy in Early Christianity, by Mikeal C. Parsons

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Body and Character in Luke and Acts: The Subversion of Physiognomy in Early Christianity, by Mikeal C. Parsons

Early Christianity developed in a world where moral significance was often judged based upon physical appearance alone. Exploring the manifestations of this ancient "science" of physiognomy, Parsons rightly shows how Greco-Roman society, and by consequence the author of Luke and Acts, was steeped in this tradition. Luke, however, employs these principles in his writings in order to subvert the paradigm. Using as examples the bent woman (Luke 13), Zacchaeus (Luke 18), the lame man (Acts 3-4), and the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8), Parsons shows that the Christian community―both early and present-day―is established only in the image of Jesus Christ.

  • Sales Rank: #2899901 in Books
  • Published on: 2011-06-23
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Dimensions: 9.02" h x .44" w x 5.98" l, .64 pounds
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 192 pages

Review
"Not many books really break new ground. This one does. Parsons cast Luke's descriptions of the bent woman, Zacchaeus, the lame man, and the Ethiopian eunuch in a new light and shows how the gospel radically challenges cultural conventions and speaks a word of grace."―Alan Culpepper, Dean, McAfee School of Theology

"With a stunning command of both ancient sources and contemporary scholarship, Parsons offers a trove of fresh insights on physically challenged figures in Luke and Acts. Readers of this carefully argued work will never look at the bent woman, the diminutive Zacchaeus, the lame man (Acts 3), and the Ethiopian eunuch the same way again. Deformed bodies (by conventional standards) pose no barriers to transformed character through dynamic encounters with the Lukan Jesus and his emissaries. Such experiences mount a poignant resistance to prejudicial and superficial profiling in Luke's day―and ours."―F. Scott Spencer, Professor of New Testament, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond

"Parsons trains his eagle eye on details missed by most scholars. The results are fascinating and unexpected, throwing fresh light on attitudes to bodily characteristics in Luke's day before bringing us back to our world with a theological jolt."―Graham Stanton (1940-2009), Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity, University of Cambridge

From the Inside Flap

How the gospel writer and historian challenges ancient cultural conventions

From the Back Cover
"Mikeal Parsons trains his eagle eye on details in the text of Luke and Acts missed by most scholars. The results of his careful and learned study are fascinating and unexpected. Dr. Parsons throws fresh light on attitudes to bodily characteristics in Luke's day before bringing us back to our world with a theological jolt."--Graham Stanton, Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity, University of Cambridge

"Not many books really break new ground. This one does. The ancient texts on physiognomy--the pseudoscience of interpreting a person's character on the basis of his or her physical characteristics--have been overlooked by New Testament scholarship, but after reviewing these texts Parsons explores the use and subversion of physiognomy by Luke. The results are intriguing and cast Luke's descriptions of the bent woman, Zacchaeus, the lame man, and the Ethiopian eunuch in a new light. In yet another way, Parsons shows how the gospel radically challenges cultural conventions and speaks a word of grace."--R. Alan Culpepper, dean, McAfee School of Theology

"With a stunning command of both ancient sources and contemporary scholarship, Parsons offers a trove of fresh insights on physically challenged figures in Luke and Acts. Readers of this carefully argued work will never look at the bent woman, the diminutive Zacchaeus, the lame man (Acts 3), and the Ethiopian eunuch the same way again. Deformed bodies (by conventional standards) pose no barriers to transformed character through dynamic encounters with the Lukan Jesus and his emissaries. Such experiences mount a poignant resistance to prejudicial and superficial profiling in Luke's day--and ours."--F. Scott Spencer, professor of New Testament, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond

Most helpful customer reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.
God penetrates outward appearances to see the heart
By Craig de CrossWise
It has been said that one should not judge a book by its cover, meaning one should not judge a man's character by his outer physical features. Yet, according to the research of Mikeal Parsons, assessing a person's morality based on their physical attributes is precisely what was done in ancient Greece and Rome, as there was an assumed correlation between the two. For example, according to third century AD writer Pseudo-Aristotle, "soul and body react on each other; when the character of the soul changes, it changes also the form of the body, and conversely, when the form of the body changes, it changes the character of the soul" [p 22]. There was also geographic (`you are where you live'), and zoological (equating traits in animals to humans) stereotyping. This practice is known as physiognomy.

The author traces the methods of physiognomy in ancient Greco-Roman tradition, Jewish culture (to include OT and extra-biblical, pseudepigraphical works), the church "fathers", Pauline NT texts, and other works, before illustrating its contrary usage in the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. If you want to know, among other things, what Paul likely meant in his reference to those whose "god is their belly" (Phil 3:19; cf. Rom 16:18) [pp 50-51], or what Matthew meant by "be wise as serpents" (Matt 10:16), considering the term "serpents" had a negative connotation [p 75], then this book is for you.

But, as the title of this work indicates, the bulk of this book finds Parsons explaining how the Lukan material works as an apologetic over against the conventional understanding and use of physiognomy in the milieu of first century Greco-Roman culture (Luke/Acts has been the primary focus of his professional literary career). The author illustrates how Luke the NT writer, in particular, deftly subverts this pseudoscience of physiognomy:

"...It is noteworthy that nowhere does Luke provide any extended physical description of the main protagonists (Jesus, John the Baptist, and the disciples) or antagonists (religious and political leaders)...This is especially striking in the case of John the Baptist...its inclusion might lead Luke's readers to draw moral inferences based on physical characteristics - the very kind of thing Luke is bent on breaking..." [p 81].

However, Luke does specify physical descriptions of Zacchaeus, the Ethiopian eunuch, and others - those who, by their respective appearances, would be prejudged in the larger culture as individuals possessing undesirable character traits. Yet despite their outward physical appearances, these individuals are worthy (or, perhaps more accurately, made worthy) of His Kingdom, as God knows the heart (Luke 16:15) and "shows no favoritism/partiality" (Acts 10:34).

While scholarly and detailed, this book is a relatively easy read, rather short due to its focus. Unlike many new works, this one breaks new ground. Undoubtedly, future commentaries on Luke and Acts will source Parsons' work here. Very highly recommended.

(My copy is the first edition by Baker Academic from 2006. It appears the Baylor University Press is a straight reissue without any sort of revision.)

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
Exellent!
By M. Bagwell
One of the best books on this unusual subject that I've ever read.

I recommend it to anyone studying Luke-Acts.

See all 2 customer reviews...

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