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Experience with the Supernatural in Early Christian Times — Psychological Horror

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Experience with the Supernatural in Early Christian Times

Name: Experience with the Supernatural in Early Christian Times
Price: 22.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781596054462

✍️ Shirley Jackson

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A scholarly look at miracles in early Christianity by theologian Shirley Jackson Case.

Shirley Jackson Case, a liberal theologian at the University of Chicago, explores the role of the miraculous in Hebrew religion. She uses the socio-historical method to analyze how the Bible reflects the history of a movement with distinct goals. The work questions why early Christian advocates prioritized supernatural imagery over moral teachings. Case is known for her scholarship on the historicity of Jesus and her refutation of the Jesus Myth. This book provides a focused academic perspective on biblical miracles without relying on devotional interpretations.

Key Themes

socio-historical method early Christian times supernaturalism in Hebrew religion

Literary Context

Shirley Jackson Case (1872-1947) was a scholar at the University of Chicago. She applied the socio-historical method to biblical studies during the early twentieth century. Her work reflects the academic theological trends of that period, focusing on historical context over traditional dogma.

Shirley Jackson

📚 all books by this author (81) →

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Bart Ehrman · Elaine Pagels · Karen Armstrong · The Jesus Seminar

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Psychological Horror

🏛 Cosimo Classics 📅 2005 📖 352 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781596054462

📝 Description: Experience with the Supernatural in Early Christian Times

Shirley Jackson Case examines the prominence of miracles in early Christianity and Hebrew religion. She investigates why advocates of the new faith focused so heavily on supernatural imagery rather than moral ideas. The author was a liberal theologian at the University of Chicago who specialized in the socio-historical method. This approach views the Bible as reflecting the history of a movement with specific needs and goals. Case addresses questions about the scarlet thread of supernaturalism running through Genesis to Revelation. She challenges readers to look past less spectacular portrayals of spiritual struggles. Her work includes The Historicity of Jesus, an early scholarly refutation of the Jesus Myth. This volume offers a provocative analysis of how miracles functioned within the religious context of the time. This book suits readers interested in liberal theology and socio-historical biblical scholarship. It may not satisfy those seeking traditional devotional readings or simple miracle stories. The text requires attention to historical context and theological argumentation. Case provides a detailed look at the intersection of history and supernatural belief in early Christian times.

💎 Our verdict on Experience with the Supernatural in Early Christian Times

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This academic exploration demands attention to historical context and theological argumentation, making it unsuitable for casual readers or those seeking spiritual comfort. Case’s socio-historical method dismantles the scarlet thread of supernaturalism running through Genesis to Revelation with scholarly precision. It is a rigorous study for theologians and historians, but it explicitly rejects devotional interpretations. Readers looking for traditional miracle stories or simple faith affirmations will likely find this text dry and unsatisfying. However, for those analyzing how miracles functioned within their original religious context, Case provides a necessary, provocative critique of early Christian advocacy. It is a dense, intellectual work that prioritizes historical analysis over spiritual narrative, requiring significant engagement from its audience.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in the socio-historical analysis of religious movements will find this text particularly valuable. Shirley Jackson Case offers a scholarly perspective on why early Christian advocates prioritized supernatural imagery over moral teachings, providing a focused academic view of biblical miracles. This volume is ideal for those seeking to understand the intersection of history and supernatural belief in early Christian times without relying on traditional devotional frameworks. It challenges readers to look past spectacular portrayals to analyze the specific needs and goals of the movement. While it may not satisfy those seeking simple miracle stories, it provides a provocative analysis for students of liberal theology and biblical history who wish to explore the historicity of Jesus and the role of miracles in Hebrew religion through a rigorous, non-devotional lens.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

Seekers of academic theology and socio-historical analysis will appreciate this deep dive into early Christian miracles. However, readers craving devotional comfort or simple supernatural tales should look elsewhere, as this text demands rigorous engagement with scholarly argumentation.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

❓ Frequently asked questions

No. This is a scholarly examination of miracles in early Christianity, analyzing their historical and socio-political roles rather than offering entertainment through supernatural fiction.

While academic, the text challenges readers to look past spectacle. It requires attention to historical context and theological argumentation, making it best suited for those already interested in liberal theology or biblical scholarship.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

While Shirley Jackson is renowned for weaving psychological dread into domestic horror, her theological scholarship reveals a different facet of her intellect. This work situates itself within early Christian studies, examining how miracle narratives functioned not merely as divine signs but as strategic tools for establishing the new faith’s authority against Hebrew traditions.