Warding Off Evil

Apotropaic Tradition in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Synoptic Gospels

by Michael J. Morris

Book cover: Warding Off Evil

Extent: 296 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Biblical Studies

Series: Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2.Reihe

Series volume number: 451

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(October 2017)

ISBN: 9783161552632

6.06 x 9.06 inches

Price: $130.00

In stock

In this study, Michael J. Morris examines aspects of synoptic gospel demonology; specifically, human responses to demonic evil. It is clear that early Christian demonology can be more fully understood against the background of early Jewish traditions. In the Dead Sea Scrolls, for instance, there are two fundamental ways by which protection against demons is sought. The first anti-demonic method is “exorcism,” and the second is characterized by its preventative nature and is typically referred to as “apotropaism.” Although many contributions have been made on the topic of exorcism in the gospels, less attention has been paid to the presence of apotropaic features in the gospel texts. Therefore, Michael J. Morris offers a timely examination of apotropaic tradition in early Judaism and its significance for demonological material in the synoptic gospels.

  • By (author) Michael J Morris