Overview
Sacrifice has always been central to the study of religion yet attempts to understand and assess the concept have usually been controversial. The present book, which is the result of several years of interdisciplinary collaboration, suggests that in many ways the fascination with sacrifice has its roots in modernity itself. Theological developments following the Reformation, the rediscovery of Greek tragedies, and the encounter with the practice of human sacrifice in the Americas triggered a complex and passionate debate in the sixteenth century which has never since abated. Contributors to this volume, leading experts from theology, anthropology, and literary and cultural studies, describe and discuss how this modern fascination for the topic of sacrifice has evolved, how it has shaped theological debate, the literary imagination, and anthropological theory. Individual chapters discuss in depth major theological trajectories, theories of sacrifice including those of Marcel Mauss and René Girard, and current feminist criticism. They engage with sacrifice in the context of religious and philosophical thought, works of literature and film. They explore different yet overlapping aspects of modernity's obsession with sacrifice. The book does not intend to impose a single narrative over all these diverse contributions but brings them into a conversation around a common centre.
Full Product Details
Author: Julia Meszaros (Postdoctoral Researcher, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, Postdoctoral Researcher, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, Catholic University of Leuven) ,
Johannes Zachhuber (Reader of Theology, Faculty of Theology and Religion,, Reader of Theology, Faculty of Theology and Religion,, University of Oxford)
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Dimensions:
Width: 16.20cm
, Height: 2.50cm
, Length: 23.70cm
Weight: 0.596kg
ISBN: 9780199659289
ISBN 10: 0199659281
Pages: 290
Publication Date: 03 October 2013
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Tertiary & Higher Education
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: To order
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.
Reviews
A smart volume on sacrifice Michon M. Matthiesen, Journal of Theological Studies
This volume presents sacrifice as an enduring obsession of modern theory, whether in contradistinction to primitive rites or allusion to the tragically noble in war. This is a significant study for readers interested in the contemporary resonance of the cross and Eucharist given a 'riotously polyvalent' term (p. 133). David Robinson, The Expository Times A smart volume on sacrifice Michon M. Matthiesen, Journal of Theological Studies
The book, I believe, succeeds in its aim to bring together and explore the interlocking endeavours of a diversity of scholarly views on sacrifice without imposing or even suggesting one underlying narrative, or more explicitly, an interpretative unity. * Andrew O'Shea, Louvain Studies * A smart volume on sacrifice * Michon M. Matthiesen, Journal of Theological Studies * This volume presents sacrifice as an enduring obsession of modern theory, whether in contradistinction to primitive rites or allusion to the tragically noble in war. This is a significant study for readers interested in the contemporary resonance of the cross and Eucharist given a 'riotously polyvalent' term (p. 133). * David Robinson, The Expository Times *
Author Information
Julia Meszaros is a postdoctoral researcher, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, Catholic University of Leuven. Johannes Zachhuber is Reader of Theology, Faculty of Theology and Religion, University of Oxford.
