The Many Deaths of Judas Iscariot: A Meditation on Suicide Contributor(s): Saari, Aaron Maurice (Author) |
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ISBN: 0415392403 ISBN-13: 9780415392402 Publisher: Routledge OUR PRICE: $46.50 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: May 2006 Annotation: This book is a meditation on suicide, prompted by the suicide of the author's brother, and expressed through a discussion of the traditions on the suicide of Judas. |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Psychology | Suicide |
Dewey: 226.092 |
LCCN: 2005030669 |
Physical Information: 0.4" H x 5.34" W x 8.46" (0.50 lbs) 176 pages |
Themes: - Religious Orientation - Christian - Topical - Death/Dying |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: In this bold, captivating and controversial book, the author combines his own intensely moving personal accounts with incisive scriptural analysis, and challenges the reader to reassess what they think they know about Judas Iscariot and suicide. Drawing on the memory of his own brother's action in taking his own life, Aaron Saari examines Judas Iscariot as the definitive figure of God's abhorrence for suicide and a powerful symbol of the cultural taboo originating from Christian doctrine. Instead, he argues, this ancient condemnation of Judas' death is unfounded: Judas is instead a literary invention of the Markan community meant to undercut the authority of the Twelve, entering the Christian story c.70 CE through the Gospel of Mark. Written with passion and clarity and consistently relevant to today's moral issues, this book is as much an ideal introduction to biblical studies for the general reader as it is essential reading for students, scholars, and anyone with an interest in Biblical studies, ancient scripture and theology. |