Eros And The Christ Longing And Envy In Pauls Christology
Book Description
In this thought-provoking exploration of early Christian theology, David E. Fredrickson unveils a fresh perspective on one of Paul's most studied passages. Rather than approaching the self-emptying of Christ through traditional theological lenses, Fredrickson draws from ancient Greek and Roman correspondence to reveal how concepts of desire and longing shaped religious understanding in the ancient world.
The author demonstrates how Paul's revolutionary vision of Christ's kenosis challenged prevailing assumptions about divine power and human relationships. By examining the "physics" of desire as understood in antiquity, Fredrickson shows how ancient cultures connected longing with questions of authority and control. This framework illuminates Paul's radical departure from conventional thinking about both divine nature and the role of love in human community.
Through careful analysis of historical texts and cultural contexts, readers discover how Paul's christological vision represented more than theological innovation. It offered a fundamental reimagining of love itself as a force capable of transforming social structures and spiritual understanding. Fredrickson's scholarship bridges ancient wisdom and contemporary spiritual inquiry, revealing how early Christian thought grappled with timeless questions about desire, power, and divine love.
This scholarly yet accessible work invites readers to reconsider familiar biblical passages through the lens of ancient emotional and social dynamics, offering new insights for those seeking deeper understanding of Christian spirituality and its historical foundations.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~5 hours)
📄 Length: 181 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore History of doctrines
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Desire
- ✓ Understand the nature of love
- ✓ Explore Christianity
- ✓ Explore Theology
- ✓ Explore Biblical teaching
- ✓ Explore Envy
