Christ Child

Cultural Memories of a Young Jesus

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Theology, Bible & Bible Studies, Christianity
Cover of the book Christ Child by Stephen J. Davis, Yale University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Stephen J. Davis ISBN: 9780300206609
Publisher: Yale University Press Publication: May 13, 2014
Imprint: Yale University Press Language: English
Author: Stephen J. Davis
ISBN: 9780300206609
Publisher: Yale University Press
Publication: May 13, 2014
Imprint: Yale University Press
Language: English
Little is known about the early childhood of Jesus Christ. But in the decades after his death, stories began circulating about his origins. One collection of such tales was the so-called Infancy Gospel of Thomas, known in antiquity as the Paidika or “Childhood Deeds” of Jesus. In it, Jesus not only performs miracles while at play (such as turning clay birds into live sparrows) but also gets enmeshed in a series of interpersonal conflicts and curses to death children and teachers who rub him the wrong way. How would early readers have made sense of this young Jesus?

In this highly innovative book, Stephen Davis draws on current theories about how human communities construe the past to answer this question. He explores how ancient readers would have used texts, images, places, and other key reference points from their own social world to understand the Christ child’s curious actions. He then shows how the figure of a young Jesus was later picked up and exploited in the context of medieval Jewish-Christian and Christian-Muslim encounters. Challenging many scholarly assumptions, Davis adds a crucial dimension to the story of how Christian history was created.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Little is known about the early childhood of Jesus Christ. But in the decades after his death, stories began circulating about his origins. One collection of such tales was the so-called Infancy Gospel of Thomas, known in antiquity as the Paidika or “Childhood Deeds” of Jesus. In it, Jesus not only performs miracles while at play (such as turning clay birds into live sparrows) but also gets enmeshed in a series of interpersonal conflicts and curses to death children and teachers who rub him the wrong way. How would early readers have made sense of this young Jesus?

In this highly innovative book, Stephen Davis draws on current theories about how human communities construe the past to answer this question. He explores how ancient readers would have used texts, images, places, and other key reference points from their own social world to understand the Christ child’s curious actions. He then shows how the figure of a young Jesus was later picked up and exploited in the context of medieval Jewish-Christian and Christian-Muslim encounters. Challenging many scholarly assumptions, Davis adds a crucial dimension to the story of how Christian history was created.

More books from Yale University Press

Cover of the book Culture Crash by Stephen J. Davis
Cover of the book The Narrow Edge by Stephen J. Davis
Cover of the book Scraps by Stephen J. Davis
Cover of the book The Real Lives of Roman Britain by Stephen J. Davis
Cover of the book Xerxes by Stephen J. Davis
Cover of the book Among the Gentiles: Greco-Roman Religion and Christianity by Stephen J. Davis
Cover of the book The Rise of Thomas Cromwell by Stephen J. Davis
Cover of the book Wildcat Currency by Stephen J. Davis
Cover of the book Architecture and Empire in Jamaica by Stephen J. Davis
Cover of the book The Vulnerability Thesis: Interest Group Influence and Institutional Design by Stephen J. Davis
Cover of the book For-Profit Democracy by Stephen J. Davis
Cover of the book Entitlement by Stephen J. Davis
Cover of the book Blood, Dreams and Gold by Stephen J. Davis
Cover of the book Speer by Stephen J. Davis
Cover of the book Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents by Stephen J. Davis
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy