The World's Oldest Church : Bible, Art, and Ritual at Dura-Europos, Syria / Michael Peppard.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Peppard, Michael, Author.

Series:

Synkrisis

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Art, Early Christian--Syria--Dura-Europos (Extinct city).

Art, Early Christian.

Christian art and symbolism--Syria--Dura-Europos (Extinct city).

Christian art and symbolism.

History, Ancient.

Dura-Europos (Extinct city).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xi, 320 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates) : illustrations

Place of Publication:

New Haven, CT : Yale University Press, [2016]

Language Note:

English

System Details:

text file

Summary:

Michael Peppard provides a historical and theological reassessment of the oldest Christian building ever discovered, the third-century house-church at Dura-Europos. Contrary to commonly held assumptions about Christian initiation, Peppard contends that rituals here did not primarily embody notions of death and resurrection. Rather, he portrays the motifs of the church's wall paintings as those of empowerment, healing, marriage, and incarnation, while boldly reidentifying the figure of a woman formerly believed to be a repentant sinner as the Virgin Mary. This richly illustrated volume is a breakthrough work that enhances our understanding of early Christianity at the nexus of Bible, art, and ritual.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction: January 18, 1932, Excavation Block M8

One. Dura- Europos and the World's Oldest Church

Two. Anointed like David

Three. Lord and Shepherd of the Water

Four. The Pro cession of Women

Five. A Woman at a Well

Conclusion: Paradise Restored

Abbreviations

Notes

Bibliography

Subject Index

Index of Ancient Sources

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 29. Feb 2020)

CC BY

Other Format:

Print version:

OCLC:

1052118093