The Concept of Purity at Qumran and in the Letters of Paul

This book examines religious self-understanding in terms of the concept of purity.

Michael Newton (Author)

9780521020589, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 6 October 2005

184 pages
21.5 x 14 x 1.1 cm, 0.245 kg

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.

Acknowledgements
List of abbreviations
1. Introduction
2. The concept of purity in the Qumran community
3. Purity and the cult in the letters of Paul
4. Purity and membership of the Church
5. Purity and the continuing life of the Church
6. Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
General Index.

Subject Areas: Christian worship, rites & ceremonies [HRCR], Christianity [HRC]