Excellent4.8 out of 5On Trustpilot
  1. Christian Books/
  2. Theology Books

Symbolic Blackness And Ethnic Difference In Early Christian Literature

Blackened by Their Sins: Early Christian Ethno-Political Rhetorics About Egyptians, Ethiopians, Blacks and Blackness

by Gay L Byron

  • Paperback
  • 240 pages
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
  • 15.6 x 23.4 x 1.3 cm

£43.30

Free UK Delivery

Available - Usually dispatched within 5 days

Buying for a school or church? Upgrade to a FREE Eden Advance Account

Free delivery on orders over £10

This pioneering work provides a well documented examination of some of the main references to Eqyptians/Egypt, Ethiopians/Ethiopia, and Blacks/blackness in early Christian writings. The author explores how perception about ethnic and color differences influenced the discursive strategies of ancient Christian authors. In spite of the basic contention that Christianity was to extend to all peoples, this book demonstrates that certain groups of Christians were marginalised and rendred invisible and silent. They were, in effect, 'blackened by their sins'. The first part of the book explains the theoretical basis for reading ethno-political rhetorics in early Christian writings. The next chapter provides a taxonomy of these rhetorics, classifying the various usages of Egyptians/Egypt, Ethiopians/Ethiopia, and Blacks/blackness within Greco-Roman writings (both Christian and non-Christian).Drawing upon sources from the first to sixth centuries, the author argues that ancient Christians referred to Egyptians, Ethiopians and blacks as a strategy for instructing their followers, maligning their opponenets, and warning their communities about sins and vices, sexual temptations, and 'heresies'. This long-overdue analysis demonstrates the sophisticated ways that Christian writers attempted to shape the self-understandings of their communities through the use of ethnic and color-symbolic language; it also sets out how ethnic and color difference came to symbolise certain theological, ideological, and political intra-Christian controversies and challenges. It will be useful for those studying the New Testament and early Church history, as well as literary theorists and gender critics who will find the book a valuable interdisciplinary resource.
Symbolic Blackness And Ethnic Difference In Early Christian Literature and True to Our Native Land, Second Edition: An African American New Testament Commentary
True to Our Native Land, Second Edition: An African American New Testament CommentarySymbolic Blackness And Ethnic Difference In Early Christian Literature

  • Author

    Gay L Byron

  • Book Format

    Paperback

  • Publisher

    Taylor & Francis Ltd

  • Published

    May 2002

  • Weight

    341g

  • Page Count

    240

  • Dimensions

    15.6 x 23.4 x 1.3 cm

  • ISBN

    9780415243698

  • ISBN-10

    0415243696

  • Eden Code

    1007233

Over 14,000 churches and schools have upgraded to an Advance Account and we‘d love to welcome you into this free program. We know that church volunteers and school teachers often use their own money, then have claim it back on on an expense form. We can take all of that hassle away by invoicing your church or school directly and delivering your order straight away.

Opening an account is quick and easy, with most accounts being approved and setup within a few hours of filling in the form below (on weekdays, not weekends). As soon as we‘ve approved the application we‘ll send you an email to let you know that its done.

Upgrade to a FREE Eden Advance Account
Write a review
      Ask a question