Paradise and Paradigm : Key Symbols in Persian Christianity and the Baha'i Faith,9780791440612

Paradise and Paradigm : Key Symbols in Persian Christianity and the Baha'i Faith

by
ISBN13: 9780791440612
ISBN10: 0791440613
Format: Hardcover
Pub. Date: 1999-09-01
Publisher(s): State Univ of New York Pr
List Price: $81.50

Buy New

Usually Ships in 8 - 10 Business Days.
$81.42
Add to Cart

Rent Textbook

Select for Price
Add to Cart
There was a problem. Please try again later.

Used Textbook

We're Sorry
Sold Out

eTextbook

We're Sorry
Not Available

Author Biography

Christopher Buck is Assistant Professor in the Department of Religion at Millikin University. He is the author of Symbol and Secret: Qur'an Commentary in Baha'u'llah's Kitab-i Iqan, the 1996 Baha'i Book of the Year. Buck is also a two-time recipient of the Award for Excellence in Baha'i Studies, presented by the Association for Baha'i Studies.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xiii
I. Comparing Paradises
1(36)
1.0 Objective
1.1 Paradises and Paradigms
1.2 Systems of Symbols
1.3 Key Symbols
1.4 Dimensional Model
1.5 Symbolic Profiles
1.6 Worldview Comparison
1.7 Symbolic Transformation as Paradigm Shift
II. A Historical Profile of Syriac Christianity
37(48)
2.0 Syriac Christianity
2.1 Ephrem the Syrian and Aphrahat, "the Persian Sage"
2.2 Syriac Christianity as a Mesopotamian Response to Late Antiquity
2.3 The Universality of the Church of the East: How Persian was Persian Christianity?
III. A Symbolic Profile of Syriac Christianity
85(50)
3.0 Syriac.Symbol Theory
Key Scenarios
3.1 Doctrinal: The Way
3.2 Ritual: Robe of Glory
3.3 Ethical: Sons/Daughters of the Covenant
3.4 Experiential: The Wedding Feast
3.5 Mythic: Harrowing of Hell
3.6 Social: Noah's Ark/Mariner
Root Metaphors
3.7 Doctrinal: Physician
3.8 Ritual: Medicine of Life
3.9 Ethical: The Mirror
3.10 Experiential: The Pearl
3.11 Mythic: Tree of Life
3.12 Social: Paradise
3.13 The Syriac Paradigm of Purity
IV. A Historical Profile of the Baha'i Faith
135(46)
4.0 Introduction
4.1 Baha'u'llah
4.2 The Baha'i Faith as a Response to Modernity
V. A Symbolic Profile of the Baha'i Faith
181(46)
5.0 Baha'i Symbol Theory
Key Scenarios
5.1 Doctrinal: The Promised One
5.2 Ritual: The Covenant
5.3 Ethical: Illumination
5.4 Experiential: Lover and the Beloved
5.5 Mythic: The Maid of Heaven
5.6 Social: The Crimson Ark and the Holy Mariner
Root Metaphors
5.7 Doctrinal: Physician
5.8 Ritual: Wine/Water of Life
5.9 Ethical: Mirror/Gems
5.10 Experiential: The Journey
5.11 Mythic: Lote-Tree/Sinai
5.12 Social: Paradise
5.13 The Baha'i Paradigm of Unity
VI. Paradise Similarities and Paradigm Differences
227(32)
6.0 Procedure for Dimensional Analysis
6.1 Doctrinal
6.2 Ritual
6.3 Ethical
6.4 Experiential
6.5 Mythic
6.6 Social
VII. Paradise and Paradigm
259(54)
7.0 Introduction
7.1 Sapiential Theosis: A New Reading of Ephrem the Syrian's Hymns on Paradise
7.2 Paradise and Society in Baha'i Texts
VIII. Conclusions
313(18)
8.0 Interpretation of Results
8.1 Evaluation of Research Design
8.2 Counterindications
8.3 Suggestions for Further Study
8.4 Relevance to the Study of Religion
Appendixes 331(20)
I. Abbreviations 331(8)
II. Syriac Transliteration Scheme 339(2)
III. Arabic/Persian Transliteration Scheme 341(4)
IV. Fragments of a Lost Persian Christian Liturgy 345(6)
Works Cited 351(30)
Index 381

An electronic version of this book is available through VitalSource.

This book is viewable on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, and most smartphones.

By purchasing, you will be able to view this book online, as well as download it, for the chosen number of days.

Digital License

You are licensing a digital product for a set duration. Durations are set forth in the product description, with "Lifetime" typically meaning five (5) years of online access and permanent download to a supported device. All licenses are non-transferable.

More details can be found here.

A downloadable version of this book is available through the eCampus Reader or compatible Adobe readers.

Applications are available on iOS, Android, PC, Mac, and Windows Mobile platforms.

Please view the compatibility matrix prior to purchase.