For thousands of years; our world has been shaped by biblical monotheism. But its hallmark--a distinction between one true God and many false gods--was once a new and radical idea. Of God and Gods explores the revolutionary newness of biblical theology against a background of the polytheism that was once so commonplace. Jan Assmann; one of the most distinguished scholars of ancient Egypt working today; traces the concept of a true religion back to its earliest beginnings in Egypt and describes how this new idea took shape in the context of the older polytheistic world that it rejected. He offers readers a deepened understanding of Egyptian polytheism and elaborates on his concept of the Mosaic distinction; which conceives an exclusive and emphatic Truth that sets religion apart from beliefs shunned as superstition; paganism; or heresy. Without a theory of polytheism; Assmann contends; any adequate understanding of monotheism is impossible
#2646616 in Books 1991-04-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.50 x .60 x 5.50l; .43 #File Name: 0299128741160 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great book to experence history in the making!By marilyn lindseyCaroline Seabury - Amazing details of her experences in her travels and life in while in Columbus; Mississippi. Ride with her from Washington DC on the ferry boats; trains and buckboards to the south before the Civil War; her work in Columbus as a teacher; and then her flight back north crossing the CSA battle lines at the Yazoo River. Great book to experence history in the making!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy david plylernice book ...thank you0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Friend's recommendation/not my particular interestBy M Libby PayneMy reading time is so limited that I realized it was not worth spending it on the life of a woman so unlike me. It has nothing to do with intrinsic value of the writing.
