Origen’s Revenge


Book Description

Is the difference of male and female to be "completely shaken off" so that men and women are no longer men and women but merely human beings? The great seventh-century saint Maximus the Confessor said yes, but such thinking is difficult if not impossible to reconcile with much else in Christian tradition that obliges men and women to live as either men or women. Origen's Revenge contrasts the two main sources of early Christian thinking on male and female: the generally negative view of Greek philosophy, limiting sexual distinction to the body and holding the body in low regard, and the much more positive view of Hebrew Scripture, in which sexual distinction and reproduction are both deemed naturally good and necessary for human existence. These two views account for much of the controversy in early Christianity concerning marriage and monasticism. They also still contribute to current controversies over sex roles, gender identity, and sexual ethics. Origen's Revenge also develops the more Hebrew line of early Christian thought to propose a new understanding of male and female with a firmer grounding in scripture, tradition, theology, and philosophy and with profound implications for all human relationships, whether social, political, or spiritual.




Delphi Collected Works of Origen (Illustrated)


Book Description

Regarded by some as the greatest genius of the early Christian church, Origen of Alexandria was a third century scholar, ascetic and theologian. He was a prolific writer of approximately 2,000 treatises in multiple branches of theology, including textual criticism, biblical exegesis and hermeneutics and spirituality. His treatise ‘On the First Principles’ systematically lays out the principles of Christian theology and became the foundation for later theological writings; while the treatise ‘Against Celsus’ is regarded as the most influential work of early Christian apologetics, in which Origen defends Christianity against the pagan philosopher Celsus, one of its foremost critics. Delphi’s Ancient Classics series provides eReaders with the wisdom of the Classical world, with both English translations and the original Greek texts. This comprehensive eBook presents Origen’s collected works, with illustrations, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Origen's life and works * Features the collected works of Origen in English translation * Includes the original Greek texts of Origen’s two major treatises: ‘On the First Principles’ and ‘Against Celsus’ * Concise introductions to the major works * Includes translations previously appearing in ‘Ante-Nicene Fathers’, 1885 * Excellent formatting of the texts * Easily locate the sections you want to read with individual contents tables * Features two bonus biographies, including Eusebius’ fourth century account — discover Origen's ancient world Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to explore our range of Ancient Classics titles or buy the entire series as a Super Set CONTENTS: The Translations On the First Principles (c. 225) [Tr. Frederick Crombie] Commentary on the Gospel of John (c. 227) [Tr. Allan Menzies] On Prayer (c. 235) [Tr. William A. Curtis] Commentary on Matthew (c. 247) [Tr. John Patrick] Against Celsus (248) [Tr. Frederick Crombie] Philocalia (360) [Tr. George Lewis] Letters [Tr. Frederick Crombie] The Greek Texts De Principiis Contra Celsum The Biographies Extract from Book VI of ‘Ecclesiastical History’ by Eusebius (313) Introduction to Origen by Frederick Crombie (1885) Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles













Castration and Culture in the Middle Ages


Book Description

Essays exploring medieval castration, as reflected in archaeology, law, historical record, and literary motifs. Castration and castrati have always been facets of western culture, from myth and legend to law and theology, from eunuchs guarding harems to the seventeenth- and eighteenth-century castrati singers. Metaphoric castration pervadesa number of medieval literary genres, particularly the Old French fabliaux - exchanges of power predicated upon the exchange or absence of sexual desire signified by genitalia - but the plain, literal act of castration and its implications are often overlooked. This collection explores this often taboo subject and its implications for cultural mores and custom in Western Europe, seeking to demystify and demythologize castration. Its subjects includearchaeological studies of eunuchs; historical accounts of castration in trials of combat; the mutilation of political rivals in medieval Wales; Anglo-Saxon and Frisian legal and literary examples of castration as punishment; castration as comedy in the Old French fabliaux; the prohibition against genital mutilation in hagiography; and early-modern anxieties about punitive castration enacted on the Elizabethan stage. The introduction reflects on these topics in the context of arguably the most well-known victim of castration in the middle ages, Abelard. LARISSA TRACY is Associate Professor of Medieval Literature at Longwood University. Contributors: Larissa Tracy, Kathryn Reusch, Shaun Tougher, Jack Collins, Rolf H. Bremmer Jr, Jay Paul Gates, Charlene M. Eska, Mary A. Valante, Anthony Adams, Mary E. Leech, Jed Chandler, Ellen Lorraine Friedrich, Robert L.A. Clark, Karin Sellberg, LenaWånggren







Tactics of Infidels


Book Description