Miryam T. Brand explores how texts of the Second Temple period address the theological problem of the existence of sin and describe the source of human sin. By surveying the relevant Apocrypha; Pseudepigrapha; and Dead Sea Scrolls; as well as the works of Philo and (where relevant) Josephus; the study determines the extent to which texts' presentation of sin is influenced by genre and sectarian identification and identifies central worldviews regarding sin in the Second Temple period. The analysis is divided into two parts; the first explores texts that reflect a conviction that the source of sin is an innate human inclination; and the second analyzes texts that depict sin as caused by demons. The author demonstrates that the genre or purpose of a text is frequently a determining factor in its representation of sin; particularly influencing the text's portrayal of sin as the result of human inclination versus demonic influence and sin as a free choice or as predetermined fact. Second Temple authors and redactors chose representations of sin in accordance with their aims. Thus prayers; reflecting the experience of helplessness when encountering God; present the desire to sin as impossible to overcome without divine assistance. In contrast; covenantal texts (sectarian texts explaining the nature of the covenant) emphasize freedom of choice and the human ability to turn away from the desire to sin. Genre; however; is not the only determining factor regarding how sin is presented in these texts. Approaches to sin in sectarian texts frequently built upon already accepted ideas reflected in nonsectarian literature; adding aspects such as predestination; the periodization of evil; and a division of humanity into righteous members and evil nonmembers.
#736369 in Books 2006-10-24 2006-10-24Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.50 x 1.47 x 6.63l; 1.61 #File Name: 0345461940432 pages
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Poor EmmaBy Debbie OThis book was a very good read. The life of Emma Lady Hamilton is really amazing. To come from the lowest and poorest of English society and to raise herself up as she did is unbelievable. She must have been a remarkable woman.The Author keeps a brisk pace; and the story of humble Amy Lyon unfolds without dragging in any area.We meet Amy as child of a poor Blacksmith who lives in one of the most depressing places on Earth; let alone England. She goes into service; that doesn't last long; and before you know it 12 or 13 year old Amy is a "lady of the town"; works in a high class brothel; becomes a spoiled nobelman's mistress; gets pregnant; becomes another nobelman's mistress;a famous artist's favorite model; winds up going to Naples becoming the Ambassador's mistress; and ultimatley his wife..Her husband; Sir William Hamilton was the English Ambassador to Naples; really not a big important assignment; but a really fun one. Emma bloomed in this environment; and was a great help to her husband. She became bff's with the Queen of Naples; Maria Carolina; a Hapsburg Archduchess; and sister to the tragic French Queen Marie Antionette. As the Queen's confidant and friend; she was able to assist her husband with the most delicate of political situations that developed with the fall of the French monarchy and the rise of Bonaparte.Then along comes Nelson. She and he really hit it off; but at first it's mutual admiration; then liking turns to lust and then love. Emma was very desirable to 18th Century men; although looking at her pictures; she looks like a very big woman. There's one portrait of her reclining seductivley on a leoapard skin and she looks enormous; even her feet look fat. Men were driven crazy with desire by her. She used to do an entertainment called "Attitudes" where she posed as women from the past; draping herself in shawls; showing side boob with a come hither look on her face. It's hard to imagine in this day and age that such things would be so wildly popular; but of course; it was a much simpler time. According to the Author; her detractors claimed she learned these "skills" when she worked in the brothel; where the ladies struck sexy poses for the clients.She and Nelson had a big scandalous love affair that resulted in a daughter; Emma's second child. They also lived 'atrois with her husband when they returned to England. Descriptions of Admiral Nelson; do not paint a picture of a very attractive person either physically; (he was a tiny man with one eye missing as well as an arm and most of his teeth gone) or personality wise; (nervous; needy and attention starved). But regardless; he was the rock star of his day; so Emma had really landed a trophy. They really seem to have been madly in love.Then comes Trafalgar; and that it. It's all downhill for poor Emma she dies almost friendless and destitute in Calais; buried in a pauper's grave. Unfortunatly for Emma; neither she; her deceased husband or her lover had any common sense regarding money. All three of these individuals had no concept of effective money management; and neither of the men in her life did anything to ensure that Emma would have financial stability. As a result; the end of her life was terrible.The only thing I didn't like about this book was the Author's propensity to make unprovable facts actual facts. She turns too many things that no one really knows are true into historic facts. Like things about her father and her early life. There is really no way to ever know the facts there; the poor were undocumented; faceless masses. Also; she says that Emma worked in the famous Temple of Health; but according to other sources; Emma would have been too young. The Author also claims that ladies of the aristocracy thought posing as goddesses or women from the classical past was immoral. This statement is contradicted later; and at any rate is untrue. Example; the famous Duchess of Devonshire. Things like that are annoying; but this really is a very enjoyable book.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great History LessonBy BrenIf you are confused and fascinated by the times and mores of the popular Jane Austen movies of the past decade this wonderful book will enlighten you to how it really was for women in the 18th century. Emma was a woman who in today's world would have risen to great heights based on her wits; courage and cunning and though achieved so much by the same she sadly remained at the mercy of powerful and reckless men.The author's extensive and comprehensive research is evident and I could not put this book down many times. It will be one I remember often not only as a great read but as a valuable historical resource about a very interesting period of time and a fascinating; if not frequently despicable; group of people.Truth and history are always more interesting and incredible than fiction in my mind and this work proves it.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Microscopic font sizeBy WickedTwisterI love Late Williams' style of writing and the topic is very interesting; but what is keeping the five star rating at bay is the unbelievably teeny tiny font size. Be prepared to bust out your magnifying glass; readers!!
