The Evil Creator: Origins of an Early Christian Idea – Ebook Instant Download/Delivery ISBN(s): 9780197566442, 0197566448

Product details:

• ISBN-10: 0197566448
• ISBN-13: 9780197566442
• Author: M. David Litwa
  

This book examines the origins of the evil creator idea chiefly in light of early Christian biblical interpretations. It is divided into two parts. In Part I, the focus is on the interpretations of Exodus and John. Firstly, ancient Egyptian assimilation of the Jewish god to the evil deity Seth-Typhon is studied to understand its reapplication by Phibionite and Sethian Christians to the Judeo-catholic creator. Secondly, the Christian reception of John 8:44 (understood to refer to the devil’s father) is shown to implicate the Judeo-catholic creator in murdering Christ. Part II focuses on Marcionite Christian biblical interpretations. It begins with Marcionite interpretations of the creator’s character in the Christian “Old Testament,” analyzes 2 Corinthians 4:4 (in which “the god of this world” blinds people from Christ’s glory), examines Christ’s so-called destruction of the Law (Eph 2:15) and the Lawgiver, and shows how Christ finally succumbs to the “curse of the Law” inflicted by the creator (Gal 3:13). A concluding chapter shows how still today readers of the Christian Bible have concluded that the creator manifests an evil character.

Table contents:

Part I. Egyptian and Johannine Approaches to the Evil Creator

Introduction: Why the Evil Creator?

1. The Donkey Deity

2. The Father of the Devil

Part II. Marcionite Approaches to the Evil Creator

Introduction to Marcion

3. Creator of Evils

4. The God of This World

5. Destroyer of the Law I

6. Destroyer of the Law II

7. The Curse of the Creator

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