Skip to content
You are not logged in |Login  
     
Limit search to available items
Record:   Prev Next
Resources
More Information
Bestseller
BestsellerE-book
Author Wiśniewski, Robert, 1968- author.

Title Christian divination in late antiquity / Robert Wiśniewski ; translated by Damian Jasiński.

Publication Info. Amsterdam : Amsterdam University Press, [2020]

Item Status

Description 1 online resource.
Physical Medium polychrome
Description text file
Series Social worlds of late antiquity and the early Middle Ages
Social worlds of late antiquity and the early Middle Ages.
Contents Frontmatter -- Table of Contents -- List of Abbreviations -- List of Illustrations -- Introduction -- 1. Attitudes to Divination -- 2. Prophets -- 3. Take and Read -- 4. Books and Bones -- 5. Divinatory Lots -- 6. Interrogating Demoniacs -- 7. Incubation -- Conclusions -- Bibliography -- Index
Summary In Late Antiquity, people commonly sought to acquire knowledge about the past, the present, and the future, using a variety of methods. While early Christians did not doubt that these methods worked effectively, in theory they were not allowed to make use of them. In practice, people responded to this situation in diverse ways. Some simply renounced any hope of learning about the future, while others resorted to old practices regardless of the consequences. A third option, however, which emerged in the fourth century, was to construct divinatory methods that were effective yet religiously tolerable. This book is devoted to the study of such practices and their practitioners, and provides answers to essential questions concerning this phenomenon. How did it develop? How closely were Christian methods related to older, traditional customs? Who used them and in which situations? Who offered oracular services? And how were they treated by the clergy, intellectuals, and common people?
Local Note eBooks on EBSCOhost EBSCO eBook Subscription Academic Collection - North America
Subject Divination -- History.
Divination.
History.
Occultism -- Religious aspects -- Christianity -- History of doctrines -- Early church, ca. 30-600.
Christianity and culture.
Christianity and culture.
Chronological Term 30-600
Genre/Form Electronic books.
Electronic books.
History.
Added Author Jasiński, Damian, translator.
Added Title Wróżbiarstwo Chrześcijańskie w późnym antyku, czyli, Jak poznać przyszlość i nie utracić zbawienia. English
Other Form: Print version: Wisniewski, Robert. Christian Divination in Late Antiquity. Amsterdam : Amsterdam University Press, ©2020
ISBN 9789048541010 (electronic book)
9048541018 (electronic book)