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Religion of the Gods

Ritual, Paradox, and Reflexivity

Kimberley Christine Patton author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press Inc

Published:19th Feb '09

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Religion of the Gods cover

This book seeks to explain an enigmatic and paradoxical image common to many of the world religions, both polytheistic and monotheistic--that of the god who worships. Drawing on a broad array of comparative evidence, including examples from Indian, Iranian, Germanic, Jewish, Christian, and Islamic religions, Patton fashions a new theory of "divine reflexivity," according to which the gods create, model, and comment upon those practices with which they are related, not just as recipients but as prototypes. This theory offers a satisfying basis of interpretation for such disparate cases as the bull- slaying god of Mithraism, and the sacrifice of Christ on the cross as repeated in the Christian mass. With its new explanation of a fascinating religious phenomenon, this book will be of great to both comparativists and to scholars of the individual religions discussed.

A fascinating display of comparative analysis, Religion of the Gods combines mastery of scholarly sources, vigorous use of phenomenological method, and an interpretive theory that boldly challenges current projectionist approaches to ritual and religion. * William Paden, author of Religious Worlds: The Comparative Study of Religion *

ISBN: 9780195091069

Dimensions: 160mm x 239mm x 43mm

Weight: 879g

512 pages