Flights of the Soul: Visions, Heavenly Journeys, and Peak Experiences in the Biblical World
Updated by:
Shlomi Efrati
Research notes:
Not Checked
27/10/2011
OA
reader checked 29/08/2013 SE
Reference type:
Book
year:
2011
Full title:
Flights of the Soul: Visions, Heavenly Journeys, and Peak Experiences in the Biblical World
Place of Publication:
Grand Rapids
Publisher:
Eerdmans
Abstract:
Reports of prophetic dreams, of journeys into the heavens, and of other alternate states of consciousness abound in the Old and New Testaments and in extrabiblical literature. And although some scholars consider such reports to be simple literary devices, John J. Pilch - a leading expert in social scientific interpretation of the Bible - argues that ancient accounts of alternate consciousness are both plausible and significant, constituting a very commonplace, very real, and very human experience in their cultures of origin.
Integrating biblical exegesis with insights from anthropology, cognitive neuroscience, psychology, and the social sciences, Pilch investigates and interprets such phenomena as Ezekiel's prophetic visions, Enoch's sky journeys, Jesus' transfiguration and ascension, Paul's ecstatic vision on the road to Damascus, John's heavenly journeys described in Revelation, and more. His innovative study presents a fresh and intriguing perspective on these fascinating, sometimes puzzling biblical accounts.
Notes:
Table of Contents: Introduction : Alternate states of consciousness : a "kitbashed" model -- Part I. ASCs in the Old Testament. 1. The nose and altered states of consciousness : tascodrugites and Ezekiel -- 2. The call of Ezekiel (Ezek. 1-3) : an altered state of consciousness (ASC) experience -- 3. Holy men and their sky journeys : a cross-cultural model -- 4. The holy man, Enoch, and his sky journeys -- 5. Music in Second (Slavonic) Enoch -- 6. Flute players, death, and music in the afterlife (Matt. 9:18-19, 23-26) -- Part II. ASCs in the New Testament. 7. Altered states of consciousness events in the Synoptics -- 8. The Transfiguration of Jesus : an experience of alternate reality -- 9. Appearances of the risen Jesus in cultural context : experiences of alternate reality -- 10. The ascension of Jesus : a social-scientific perspective -- 11. Paul’s ecstatic trance experience near Damascus in Acts of the Apostles -- 12. Paul’s call to be a holy man (apostle) : in his own words and in other words -- 13. Paul’s call to be an apostle -- 14. Visions in Revelation and alternate consciousness : a perspective from cultural anthropology.
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Label:
07/11/2011
Record number:
8 341