Symbols of Church and Kingdom: A Study in Early Syriac Tradition [Hardcover]

Robert Murray (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 28, 1975

A new edition of the study of Syriac Christianity up to the early fifth century CE, its beliefs and worship, its life and art. In this classic work, Robert Murray offers the fullest and most vivid picture yet available of the development and character of the culture, illustrating both its original close relationship to Judaism and its remoter background in Mesopotamian civilization. He is interested in the subsequent influence of Syriac Christian culture, particularly on European literature. The largely revised introduction (now assisted by a sketch map) locates Syriac as an Aramaic dialect, then traces the origins of Syriac Christianity, its relationship to Jewish Christianity and the Syriac Bible version, the character of Syriac asceticism (including Marcionism and Manichaeism), and of the Christian schools. Key Syriac terms are explained, and all citation of Syriac texts throughout the work are given in translation either by other scholars or by the author. The second part of the introduction reviews the literature studied in the following chapters, concentrating on Aphrahat and Ephrem. In both parts, a number of positions adopted in the first edition are revised in the light of recent studies, the bibliographical details of which are given in the greatly increased number of footnotes. This book deals with a topic of interdisciplinary importance, at the cultural crossroads of the ancient and medieval worlds of east and west, and of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. It will be of interest to a wide range of scholars and students.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A superb work! --Wayne A Meeks, Yale University

After more than a quarter of a century Robert Murray's Symbols of Church and Kingdom still remains by far the best introduction to early Syriac Christianity. It has justly become something of a classic. --Sebastian Brock, University of Oxford

This scrupulous book with an unfailing historical sense is alive to the language of the Late Romans, laying bare with sympathy the way in which Syriac-speaking Christians spoke of the Church. --The New York Review of Books --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Robert Murray, a Jesuit priest and former lecturer in Heythrop College (University of London), is also the author of 'The Cosmic Covenant: Biblical Themes of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation.' --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 409 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (March 28, 1975)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521205530
• ISBN-13: 978-0521205535
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,036,955 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for anyone interested in Syriac Christianity, April 8, 2008

By 

Paul Stevenson "Linguist" (Duhok, Iraq) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Symbols of Church and Kingdom: A Study in Early Syriac Tradition (Paperback)

I came to the study of Syriac primarily out of linguistic interest. However, I soon found that one cannot read Syriac literature without running into a forest of elaborate symbolism. Many, if not most, of the symbols are unfamiliar to those whose background is in Western (Catholic or Protestant) Christianity. Yet these symbols form an elaborate and beautiful pattern, once you become familiar with them.

"Symbols of Church and Kingdom" is without a doubt the best overall treatment of this subject available. Robert Murray carefully takes readers through many symbols and their many variations as found in Syriac writers. The book is well written and thorough, but the nature of its subject matter does make it somewhat dense. It is a trip through a large forest that proceeds by examining every tree and vine. However, there seems to be little alternative if one is to gain the perspective necessary. Just like studying the grammar of a new language, with all its noun declensions, singulars and plurals, or its verbs with their plethora of tenses and moods, each item has to be individually studied in order for the student to master it.

Murray divides his book into two main sections. Part I, "Themes of Christ and the Church," is divided into seven chapters:

I. 'The Nation and the Nations'
II. The Body of Christ
III. The Vineyard, the Grape and the Tree of Life
IV. The Church, Bride and Mother
V. Titles shared by Christ and the Apostles or Bishops
VI. The Rock and the House on the Rock
VII. The 'Pilgrim Church' and its Fulfilment

Part II consists of a single chapter, "In Search of the Sources." In this, Murray seeks to ferret out the sources of the many interesting and curious symbols presented in Part I. These sources he labels Jewish tradition, Greco-Latin Christianity and "that uncertainly-defined field which is called Judaeo-Christian." The search is fascinating!

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Syriac Christianity. But be prepared for a journey of many steps.