<p>This study is a broad based investigation of exorcism in the activities ofthe historical Jesus, particularly the connection between spirit possession and exorcism on the one hand and the socio-political context of first-century Galilee on the other. As such, it draws on research from the areas of sociology, anthropology, archaeology and biblical studies to illuminate this aspect of Jesus' career, as well as the broader social implications of spirit possession in those he treated and the exorcisms themselves. Evidence found in the Synoptic Gospels is evaluated using the criteria of authenticity and comparative analysis in order to establish early and historical material. Questions posed and answered concern the historical plausibility of Jesus' role as exorcist, the possibility that his own career began with a period of spirit possession, and the meaning that his exorcisms conveyed to his first-century audience. Thus, the methodology includes textual analysis, sociological analysis of general cultural patterns within which first-century Palestine can be fitted, and anthropological analysis of the plausible functions of both spirit possession and exorcism in agrarian societies.</p> <p>Jesus' role as exorcist, his own experience of spirit possession, and the fact that he was accused of being possessed by the demon Beelzebul are attested across all strands of the tradition, with the exception of the Gospel of John. This aspect of his career also finds support in the criteria of authenticity, particularly embarrassment, is coherent with his role as healer and prophet and also fits the general pattern of healers and exorcists across cultures, particularly in agrarian societies.</p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/17394 |
| Date | January 2009 |
| Creators | Witmer, Amanda R. |
| Contributors | Runesson, Anders, Religious Studies |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
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