A Kind of Magic: Understanding Magic in the New Testament and its Religious Environment (The Library of New Testament Studies)

This collection of articles by distinguished scholars and experts in their particular fields of research is introduced by a chapter dealing with general matters of the current hermeneutics of magic: what is the nature of magic and what is the understanding of magic in the Western world-view and what - for instance - in the African world? Centered around studies on Jesus and magic the second part contains studies on the use of the term "magic" in the New Testament and especially in Acts. The third section broadens the understanding of magic through selected case studies in different approaches to magic in the environment and background of the New Testament (Old Testament, Qumran, Apuleius, Women as Magicians). Early Christianity subsequent to the New Testament develops its own view of magic, criticizing pagan magic but not being uninfluenced by magic or magic-like practices. This development is part of the fourth and last chapter of the collection along with two different papers on the possible use of Jewish and Christian themes in later magical texts. The collection explores the importance of magic within Early Christianity, an issue shared with its Old Testament and Jewish roots and with its ancient background, implying reluctance and critique. Both magical traits and the critique of non-Christian magic have an impact on later scripture and still exert influence now on modern theoretical discussion and popular ideas. > From μαγέια To Magic: Envisaging A Problematic Concept In The Study Of Religion / Daria Pezzoli Olgiatti -- Magic In The Ancient World And African Culture / Emmanuel O. Nwaoru -- Jesus And Magic: Theodicean Perspectives To The Issue / Tom Holmén -- Jesus The Exorcist And Ancient Magic / Graham H. Twelftree -- Μ́αγοι - Astrologers, Ecstatics, Deceiftul Prophets: New Testament Understanding In Jewish And Pagan Context / Michael Becker -- Magic In The Book Of Acts / Stanley E. Porter -- Magic From Before The Dawn Of Time: Understanding Magic In The Old Testament: A Shift In Paradigm (deuteronomy 18:9-14 And Beyond) / Ann Jeffers -- Catalogue Of Spirits, Liturgical Manuscript With Angelological Content, Incantation? Reflections On The Character Of A Fragment From Qumran (4q230 1), With Appendix: Edition Of The Fragments Of Iaa #114 / Eibert Tigchelaar -- The Daughters Of Medea: Enchanting Women In The Graeco-hellenistic World / Christiane Kunst -- Fascinating But Forbidden? Magic In Rome / Ulrike Reimer -- The Great Magical Papyrus Of Paris (pgm Iv) And The Bible / Pieter W. Van Der Horst -- The Eighth Book Of Moses (pleid. J 395): Hellenistic Jewish Influence In A Pagan Magical Papyrus / Bert Jan Lietaert Peerbolte. Edited By Michael Labahn And Bert Jan Lietaert Peerbolte. This Volume Offers A Collection Of Essays, Earlier Versions Of Which Have Been Presented In The Early Christianity Between Judaism And Hellenism Seminar Of The European Association Of Biblical Studies During Its Annual Meeting In Groningen, July 2004--p. [vii]. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. CONTENTS 6 Preface vii 8 Abbreviations ix 10 Contributors xiv 15 Part I 16 Daria PEZZOLI OLGIATTI 18 From μa?e?a to Magic: Envisaging a Problematic Concept in the Study of Religion 3 18 Emmanuel O. NWAORL Magic in the Ancient World and African Culture 20 35 Part II 56 Tom HOLMEN Jesus and Magic: Theodiccan Perspectives to the Issue 43 58 Graham H. TWELFTREE Jesus the Exorcist and Ancient Magic 57 72 Michael BECKER ????? - Astrologers, Ecstatics, Dcccitful Prophets: New Testament Understanding in Jewish and Pagan Context 87 102 Stanley E. PORTER Magic in the Book of Acts 107 122 Part III 138 Ann JEFFERS Magic From Before the Dawn of Time: Understanding Magic in the Old Testament: 140 A Shift in Paradigm (Deuteronomy 18:9-14 and Beyond) 123 140 Eibcrt TIGCHELAAR Catalogue of Spirits, Liturgical Manuscript with Angelological 150 Content, Incantation? Reflections on the Character of a 150 Fragment from Qumran (4Q230 1), with Appendix: Edition 150 of the Fragments of IAA #114 133 150 Christiane KUNST 164 The Daughters of Medea: Enchanting Women in the Graeco-Hellenistic World 147 164 Ulrikc RIEMER Fascinating but Forbidden? Magic in Rome 160 177 Pieter W. VAN DER HORST The Great Magical Papyrus of Paris (PGM IV) and the Bible 173 190 Bert Jan LIETAERT PEERBOLTE The Eighth Book of Moses (PLeid. J 395): Hellenistic Jewish Influence in a Pagan Magical Papyrus 184 201 INDEX OF REFERENCES 195 212 INDEX OF AUTHORS 203 220 CONTENTS......Page 6 Preface vii......Page 8 Abbreviations ix......Page 10 Contributors xiv......Page 15 Part I......Page 16 From μa?e?a to Magic: Envisaging a Problematic Concept in the Study of Religion 3......Page 18 Emmanuel O. NWAORL Magic in the Ancient World and African Culture 20......Page 35 Part II......Page 56 Tom HOLMEN Jesus and Magic: Theodiccan Perspectives to the Issue 43......Page 58 Graham H. TWELFTREE Jesus the Exorcist and Ancient Magic 57......Page 72 Michael BECKER ????? - Astrologers, Ecstatics, Dcccitful Prophets: New Testament Understanding in Jewish and Pagan Context 87......Page 102 Stanley E. PORTER Magic in the Book of Acts 107......Page 122 Part III......Page 138 A Shift in Paradigm (Deuteronomy 18:9-14 and Beyond) 123......Page 140 of the Fragments of IAA #114 133......Page 150 The Daughters of Medea: Enchanting Women in the Graeco-Hellenistic World 147......Page 164 Ulrikc RIEMER Fascinating but Forbidden? Magic in Rome 160......Page 177 Pieter W. VAN DER HORST The Great Magical Papyrus of Paris (PGM IV) and the Bible 173......Page 190 Bert Jan LIETAERT PEERBOLTE The Eighth Book of Moses (PLeid. J 395): Hellenistic Jewish Influence in a Pagan Magical Papyrus 184......Page 201 INDEX OF REFERENCES 195......Page 212 INDEX OF AUTHORS 203......Page 220