The World's Oldest Church: Bible, Art, and Ritual at Dura-Europos, SyriaMichael Peppard provides a historical and theological reassessment of the oldest Christian building ever discovered, the third-century house-church at Dura-Europos. Contrary to commonly held assumptions about Christian initiation, Peppard contends that rituals here did not primarily embody notions of death and resurrection. Rather, he portrays the motifs of the church's wall paintings as those of empowerment, healing, marriage, and incarnation, while boldly reidentifying the figure of a woman formerly believed to be a repentant sinner as the Virgin Mary. This richly illustrated volume is a breakthrough work that enhances our understanding of early Christianity at the nexus of Bible, art, and ritual. |
Contents
January 18 1932 Excavation Block M8 | 1 |
DuraEuropos and the Worlds Oldest Church | 5 |
Anointed like David | 46 |
Lord and Shepherd of the Water | 86 |
The Procession of Women | 111 |
A Woman at a Well | 155 |
Paradise Restored | 202 |
List of Abbreviations | 221 |
Notes | 223 |
Bibliography | 263 |
| 285 | |
| 311 | |
Other editions - View all
The World's Oldest Church: Bible, Art, and Ritual at Dura-Europos, Syria Michael Peppard Limited preview - 2016 |
Common terms and phrases
Acts ancient Annunciation anointing antiquity argues artistic baptism baptistery biblical birth body bridal chamber bride bridegroom called century chapter Christ Christian Building Chrysostom church cited Collection connection context cross David death depicted describes Diatessaron door Dura Dura-Europos early Christian East Ephrem evidence example extant figures final five flock Goliath Gospel Greek healing Holy Hymns illumination imagery imagined incarnation included initiation interpretation Jensen Jesus John Kraeling later light lines liturgical living look Lord manuscripts mark marriage Mary meaning metaphor mind motif narrative Odes offered Origins painting parable Paradise Persian procession Psalm remains rites ritual river Roman scene scholars seal sheep shepherd shows sources Spirit spiritual marriage Symbols Syrian temple Thomas tion torches tradition translation virgins visuality wall wedding wise woman womb women Yale University