DOCSLIB.ORG

HOSPITALITY and EATING with ANGELS This Chapter Will

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
HOSPITALITY and EATING with ANGELS This Chapter Will CHAPTER FIVE "GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER": HOSPITALITY AND EATING WITH ANGELS This chapter will consider human-angel interaction by exammmg portrayals of humans offering hospitality to angels on earth and angels appearing to consume human food. The evidence indicates that when humans offer angels hospitality, the angels have almost always appeared in human form and the one visited is not aware of the angel's true nature. In some instances angels appear to eat human food, but late Second Temple interpretations of these tradi­ tions deny that the angel ate. For the purposes of the discussion in this chapter, hospitality is understood as "the friendly and generous reception and entertain­ ment of guests or strangers." 1 In the ancient world the two main components of this would likely have been food and shelter. Examples of the practice of hospitality are found in Graeco-Roman, Jewish, and early Christian writings from the period. 2 There is no one Hebrew term that direcdy translates as "hospitality." In Greek the term is c:ptA.o~evia. In the Jewish tradition Abraham seems to stand as the paradigm of the virtue of hospitality, based upon Gen 18. 3 Most of the tradi­ tions discussed in this chapter are based on Abraham's encounter with divine guests (e.g., Gen. Rab. 43:7). Even Lot's hospitality is likely modeled on Abraham's.4 Hospitality is also listed among the virtues of Job (Job 31 :32). 1 The Concise O:iford Dictionary, 9th ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998) 656. See also J. Koenig, "Hospitality" in ABD 3:299-301. 2 For examples in Graeco-Roman writings, see Ovid, Metamorphoses 628-632, where Zeus and Hermes are guests of the old couple Baucis and Philemon (cf. Acts 14:11-12, Homer, Od. 17:485-487) and the discussion in L. Martin, "Gods or Ambassadors of God? Barnabas and Paul in Lystra" NTS 41 (1995) 152-156. See also G. Stahlin, "~Evo~" in TDNT 5:1-36, esp. 17-25; Philo, Mos. 1:58. 3 See ]E 8:1030-1033 for a summary of the Jewish evidence regarding hospi­ tality. Cf. T Zeb. 6:4. 4 T. Desmond Alexander, "Lot's Hospitality: A Clue to His Righteousness" JBL 104 (1985) 289-291. 180 CHAPTER FIVE Hospitality seems to have been an important virtue in the ear­ liest Christian churches. The NT contains a number of other pas­ sages that state the importance of hospitality generally. 5 In particular, Jesus's pronouncements about the kingdom in the gospels, the Gospel of Luke itself, and the writings of Paul seem to evince a concern for this virtue.6 These writings seem to have a practical or humanitar­ ian basis rather than overtly suggesting that the guest so welcomed may be an angel. Hebrews 13:2 does seem to suggest that the virtue of hospitality is important because the host may unknowingly be entertaining angels, as some figures from the Hebrew Bible had done. 7 The early church fathers continued to stress the importance of hospitality, and it has been suggested that Christian hospitality facilitated the spread of the gospel. 8 The virtue of hospitality was important across cultures throughout the Mediterranean around the turn of the era. An important component of hospitality is food. The question of whether or not angels .require any sustenance has been considered by D. Goodman.9 His article surveyed the Jewish material on the topic from the Hebrew Bible through the rabbinic literature, asking three questions: (1) How are angels sustained? (2) Is there any eat­ ing or drinking in heaven? And (3) do angels behave as men when they descend to earth? 10 The last of his questions is most relevant to the present discussion, but it is also useful to consider his con­ clusions about the first two questions to give context to the third. With regard to angelic sustenance (1), Goodman begins his analy­ sis with Ps 78:23-25, which states, "Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven; and he rained down upon them manna to eat, and gave them the grain of heaven. Man ate of the bread of the mighty [CI'i':l~ CJn':l] or as the LXX reads, 'bread of the angels' [&p·tov ayy£A.rov ]." 11 Goodman notes that a certain 5 Rom 12:13; l Tim 3:2, 5:10; Tit 1:8; l Pet 4:9; Heb 13:2 and cf. Acts 28:7. For more on this idea see C. Pohl, Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as Christian Tradition (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1999), and A. Malherbe, "Hospitality and Inhospitality in the Church" in Social Aspects qf Ear[y Christianity (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1983) 92-112. 6 ]. Koenig, New Testament Hospitality (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1985). 7 Heb 13:2 is discussed in more detail below in section 5. 7. A D. Riddle, "Early Christian Hospitality: A Factor in the Gospel Transmission" JBL 57 (1938) 141-154. Did. ll-13 suggests that such hospitality could be abused, however. 9 D. Goodman, "Do Angels Eat?" J]S 37 (1986) 160-175. 10 D. Goodman, "Do Angels Eat?" p. 160. 11 See also D. Goodman, "Do Angels Eat?" p. 161 n. 5. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • And Type the TITLE of YOUR WORK in All Caps
    IN CORPUS CORPORE TOTO: MERGING BODIES IN OVID’S METAMORPHOSES by JACLYN RENE FRIEND (Under the Direction of Sarah Spence) ABSTRACT Though Ovid presents readers of his Metamorphoses with countless episodes of lovers uniting in a temporary physical closeness, some of his characters find themselves so affected by their love that they become inseparably merged with the ones they desire. These scenarios of “merging bodies” recall Lucretius’ explanations of love in De Rerum Natura (IV.1030-1287) and Aristophanes’ speech on love from Plato’s Symposium (189c2-193d5). In this thesis, I examine specific episodes of merging bodies in the Metamorphoses and explore the verbal and conceptual parallels that intertextually connect these episodes with De Rerum Natura and the Symposium. I focus on Ovid’s stories of Narcissus (III.339-510), Pyramus and Thisbe (IV.55-166), Salmacis and Hermaphroditus (IV.276-388), and Baucis and Philemon (VIII.611-724). I also discuss Ovid’s “merging bodies” in terms of his ideas about poetic immortality. Finally, I consider whether ancient representations of Narcissus in the visual arts are indicative of Ovid’s poetic success in antiquity. INDEX WORDS: Ovid, Metamorphoses, Intertextuality, Lucretius, De Rerum Natura, Plato, Symposium, Narcissus, Pyramus, Thisbe, Salmacis, Hermaphroditus, Baucis, Philemon, Corpora, Immortality, Pompeii IN CORPUS CORPORE TOTO: MERGING BODIES IN OVID’S METAMORPHOSES by JACLYN RENE FRIEND B.A., Denison University, 2012 A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of The University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF ARTS ATHENS, GEORGIA 2014 © 2014 Jaclyn Rene Friend All Rights Reserved IN CORPUS CORPORE TOTO: MERGING BODIES IN OVID’S METAMORPHOSES by JACLYN RENE FRIEND Major Professor: Sarah Spence Committee: Mark Abbe Naomi Norman Electronic Version Approved: Maureen Grasso Dean of the Graduate School The University of Georgia May 2014 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • The Motion Picture Meets Greek Mythology
    The Motion Picture Meets Greek Mythology Sarah Fattore-Castro INTRODUCTION This curriculum unit is designed to encourage seventh grade reading students to visualize Greek myths and discern between actual Greek mythology and pieces from other mythology. Greek myths are not only a fun way to learn about ancient Greece, but also a link to everyday life. From early childhood we are exposed to images of Hercules, Zeus, and many other myths taken from ancient Greece. In my curriculum unit, I will look at several myths and versions of these myths. I will then look at the film portrayal of these same myths included in Clash of the Titans, Jason of the Argonauts, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This unit can be adapted to any secondary class studying Greek mythology and its impact on Western literature and film. The evolution of Greek mythology exists all around us. Therefore, the purpose of studying these myths in secondary education stems from its role in Western literature and culture. Greek mythology is seen in architecture, literature, medicine, government and art. Mythology is the study of myths. The word myth itself comes from the Latin word mythos and from the Greek word muthos, meaning “story” (Elements, 454). Myths are stories meant to explain a phenomenon and often fit in religious rituals. They were handed down generation to generation through word of mouth until finally recorded by poets such as Homer. Of course, through the passing through many generations, myths began to change; people began to create new myths such as the myth of Cupid and Psyche.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Beginning Was the House: Part One: How Social
    In the Beginning Was the House1 Part One: How Social and Identity Formation of Early Christian Groups Took Place Dennis E. Smith† Introduction If we are to attempt a thick description of first- and second-century Christ group social and identity formation, we must take seriously the importance of the context, that is, the physical space in which that formation took place. Indeed, before we can correctly analyze any text, concept, or theology we need to ac- count for the physical space in which it was born and nurtured. Too often we interpret our data as if it existed only as a set of ideas or as if it was manifest in some version of “church” as we know it today. In fact, physical space is more often than not a determinative factor of meaning. I propose that the physical space where early Christ groups were formed was the ancient house. The house is the primary, if not the only, named assembly space for Christ groups in the NT. The house was the determinative social en- vironment for what they became. It was never viewed as a temporary meeting place until they could build a proper church, since church buildings did not yet exist, either physically or conceptually. The house was synonymous with their identity as Christ followers. They had fully adapted to and were fully embed- ded in the social environment of the house. Archaeological Data2 Interpreting the house as a social environment begins with the archaeo- logical data. The spectacular remains of Roman period houses in Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Ephesus offer a rich collection of such data.
    [Show full text]
  • Metamorphoses
    A NOISE WITHIN SPRING 2021 STUDY GUIDE Metamorphoses Based on the Myths of Ovid Written and originally directed by Mary Zimmerman Directed by Julia Rodriguez-Elliott February 7–May 7, 2021 Edu STUDY GUIDES FROM A NOISE WITHIN A rich resource for teachers of English, reading, arts, and drama education. Dear Reader, We’re delighted you’re interested in our study guides, designed to provide a full range of information on our plays to teachers of all grade levels. A Noise Within’s study guides include: • General information about the play (characters, synopsis, timeline, and more) • Playwright biography and literary analysis • Historical content of the play • Scholarly articles • Production information (costumes, lights, direction, etc.) • Suggested classroom activities • Related resources (videos, books, etc.) • Discussion themes • Background on verse and prose (for Shakespeare’s plays) Our study guides allow you to review and share information with students to enhance both lesson plans and pupils’ theatrical experience and appreciation. They are designed to let you extrapolate articles and other information that best align with your own curricula and pedagogic goals. Pictured: Carolyn Ratteray, Evan Lewis Smith, and Veralyn Jones, Gem of the Ocean More information? It would be our pleasure. We’re 2019. PHOTO BY CRAIG SCHWARTZ. here to make your students’ learning experience as rewarding and memorable as it can be! All the best, Alicia Green DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Special thanks to our Dinner On Stage donors TABLE OF CONTENTS who kept the
    [Show full text]
  • Bulfinch's Mythology the Age of Fable by Thomas Bulfinch
    1 BULFINCH'S MYTHOLOGY THE AGE OF FABLE BY THOMAS BULFINCH Table of Contents PUBLISHERS' PREFACE ........................................................................................................................... 3 AUTHOR'S PREFACE ................................................................................................................................. 4 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 7 ROMAN DIVINITIES ............................................................................................................................ 16 PROMETHEUS AND PANDORA ............................................................................................................ 18 APOLLO AND DAPHNE--PYRAMUS AND THISBE CEPHALUS AND PROCRIS ............................ 24 JUNO AND HER RIVALS, IO AND CALLISTO--DIANA AND ACTAEON--LATONA AND THE RUSTICS .................................................................................................................................................... 32 PHAETON .................................................................................................................................................. 41 MIDAS--BAUCIS AND PHILEMON ....................................................................................................... 48 PROSERPINE--GLAUCUS AND SCYLLA ............................................................................................. 53 PYGMALION--DRYOPE-VENUS
    [Show full text]
  • 34. Worshipping Humans
    Buzz King [email protected] BuzzKing.com 303 437 7419 Acts 14:8–20 NLT 8 While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting 9 and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed. 10 So Paul called to him in a loud voice, “Stand up!” And the man jumped to his feet and started walking. 11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, “These men are gods in human form!” 12 They decided that Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus and that Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. 13 Now the temple of Zeus was located just outside the town. So the priest of the temple and the crowd brought bulls and wreaths of flowers to the town gates, and they prepared to offer sacrifices to the apostles. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they tore their clothing in dismay and ran out among the people, shouting, 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. 16 In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, 17 but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness.
    [Show full text]
  • Myth Made Fact Lesson 16: the Pursuit of Love: Daphne and with Dr
    Myth Made Fact Lesson 16: The Pursuit of Love: Daphne and with Dr. Louis Markos Apollo; Echo and Narcissus; Pygmalion and Galatea; Baucis and Philemon Outline: Daphne and Apollo Apollo is the god of light. Daphne is a nymph, who will live her life as a virgin. One day Cupid (Eros) shot a love arrow into Apollo, and when he saw Daphne, he fell in love. Cupid shot a fear arrow into Daphne. As Apollo ran after Daphne, Daphne ran away. Daphne was about to escape when she came to a river she couldn’t cross. Daphne was transformed into a tree. Apollo still loved her as a tree. He made her leaves into a crown, which heroes, athletes, poets will wear the crown. Daphne translates to laurel in Latin. This is where the laurel wreath comes from. Sometimes we are too much like Daphne. Apollo is one of the Christ figures. Sometimes Christ pursues us, but we are afraid of that kind of intimacy. We sometimes refuse to give ourselves in intimacy to the lover, and in a way we sacrifice our own humanity. Echo and Narcissus Narcissus was the most beautiful youth of his generation, but he looked down on everybody and cared only for himself. He broke the heart of Echo. Hera punished Echo, so that Echo can only repeat the things that other people. Narcissus is repulsed by Echo’s love and puts her aside. Echo goes off to a cave and wastes away until even her bones are gone, and all that remains is her echo.
    [Show full text]
  • Highs and Lows on Mission Kenwood Baptist Church Summer Sermon Series: Join His Mission Pastor David Palmer June 30, 2019
    Highs and Lows on Mission Kenwood Baptist Church Summer Sermon Series: Join His Mission Pastor David Palmer June 30, 2019 TEXT: Acts 14:8-28 As we continue this morning in worship and listening to God's Word, we move forward to complete the ending of the first missionary journey. In this journey, we see Highs and Lows in Ministry. Last Sunday, we had the chance to hear the Word preached through Kurt, our pastoral resident, and he challenged us to see that as we go out in mission, we need to know what to expect. Sometimes there is rejection or hostility, and yet we are to never give up. In this passage this morning, we have a pairing of the joys and sorrows of unexpected highs and unexpected lows. I want us to look at this text carefully, because this passage sets before us mission highs and lows. Oftentimes those things occur side-by-side. Sometimes in ministry you can be at a celebration of the birth of a child, the announcement of an engagement, the joy over a new job or a family member who just received Christ, and you can turn around and the next moment go to someone who has just been diagnosed with a terminal illness. You can be in places of great joy and celebration and turn around and step into times of great sorrow. Yet, both of these things are held together in Christ. They are both part of the mission. So, I want us to look at this text which gives us a moment of joy.
    [Show full text]
  • Metamorphoses
    A NOISE WITHIN SPRING 2022 STUDY GUIDE Metamorphoses Based on the Myths of Ovid Written and originally directed by Mary Zimmerman Directed by Julia Rodriguez-Elliott May 8–June 5, 2022 STUDY GUIDES FROM A NOISE WITHIN A rich resource for teachers of English, reading, arts, and drama education. Dear Reader, We’re delighted you’re interested in our study guides, designed to provide a full range of information on our plays to teachers of all grade levels. A Noise Within’s study guides include: • General information about the play (characters, synopsis, timeline, and more) • Playwright biography and literary analysis • Historical content of the play • Scholarly articles • Production information (costumes, lights, direction, etc.) • Suggested classroom activities • Related resources (videos, books, etc.) • Discussion themes • Background on verse and prose (for Shakespeare’s plays) Our study guides allow you to review and share information with students to enhance both lesson plans and pupils’ theatrical experience and appreciation. They are designed to let you extrapolate articles and other information that best align with your own curricula and pedagogic goals. Pictured: Carolyn Ratteray, Evan Lewis Smith, and Veralyn Jones, Gem of the Ocean More information? It would be our pleasure. We’re 2019. PHOTO BY CRAIG SCHWARTZ. here to make your students’ learning experience as rewarding and memorable as it can be! All the best, Alicia Green DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION Special thanks to our Dinner On Stage donors TABLE OF CONTENTS who kept the arts thriving
    [Show full text]
  • Apologetics and the Apostle Paul in the Book of Acts: an Agenda for A
    APOLOGETICS AND THE APOSTLE PAUL IN THE BOOK OF ACTS: AN AGENDA FOR A VIABLE APOLOGETIC METHODOLOGY By Bruce A. Little A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Apologetics Liberty Baptist College B. R. Lakin School of Religion November 1984 LIBERTY BAPTIST COLLEGE B.R. LAKIN SCHOOL OF RELIGION THESIS APPROVAL SHEET READER TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Introduction.................................................. 1 1. The Nature of Apologetics ••••••••••••.••••••••••••••••...••••• 6 2. Issues Which Shape Apologetic Methods ••••••.••••••.•••••.••••• 22 3. Anthropological Acumen For The Pauline Apologetic •••••••••••.• 34 4. Paul's Apologia At Antioch In Pisidia: Acts 13 : 14-43 ••••••••• 48 5. Paul's Apologia At Lystra: Acts 14:15-18 ••••••••••••••••••••• 60 6. Paul's Apologia At Athens: Acts 17 :22-34 •.••.•••••••••••••.•• 75 7. Toward A Viable Apologetic •.•••••••.••••.••••••••••.•••••••••• 96 Bibliography ••••••••••••••••••••••••••.•••.••••••••••••••••••• 121 INTRODUCTION The enterprise of meaningfully communicating and defending the truth claims of Christianity to a God-alienated world has presented the Christian community with a serious challenge since its inception at about A.D. 30 (Acts 2). Whereas the command was given by the risen Head of the Church, Jesus Christ, to preach to "all nations" (Matthew 28:19), this task has not been limited by the passing of time or by geographical, linguistic or cul­ tural barriers. In fact, the Christian community ultimately embraced a global endeavor to communicate the Christian message with no thought of ces­ sation until Christ returns (I Corinthians 11:26). It is just this nature of the ministry incumbent upon the Christian community which has thrust it into an active role of communicating Christian truth within the context of a wide spectrum of cultural peculiarities, as well as varying sociological structures and differing philosophical and theological beliefs.
    [Show full text]
  • The Epistle of Paul to Philemon
    . IPISTUE >p ST. PAUL: PHILEMON REV. H.DRYSDALEJID. A DEVOTIONAL : COMMENTARY : THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO PHILEMON UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME. II. TIMOTHY. By the LORD BISHOP OF DURHAM. PHILIPPIANS. By the REV. F. B. MEYER, B.A. THE PSALMS : Their Spiritual Teaching. By the REV. J. ELDER GUMMING, D.D. In Three Volumes. Volume I. Psalms I.-XLI. Volume II. Psalms XLII.-LXXXIX. Volume III. Psalms XC.-CL. PHILEMON. By the REV. A. H. DRYSDALE, D.D. DEVOTIONAL COMMENTARIES Edited by the Rev. A. R. BUCKLAND, M.A. THE EPISTLE OF ST PAUL TO PHILEMON A DEVOTIONAL COMMENTARY By the Rev. A. H. DRYSDALE, D.D. LONDON THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY 4 BOUVERIE STREET and 65 ST PAUL S CHURCHYARD J906 NOTE This volume, originally issued in 1879, has been carefully revised, and the Biblio graphy brought up to date. CONTENTS % INTRODUCTION PAGE I. SPECIAL CHARACTER OF THE EPISTLE . 11 II. THE STORY IN THE EPISTLE .... 21 III. SIGNIFICANCE AND VALUE OF THIS EPISTLE . 33 IV. SPIRIT OF THE EPISTLE .... 49 TRANSLATION AND PARAPHRASE TRANSLATION WITH BRIEF NOTES ... 61 A FAMILIAR PARAPHRASE WITH PREFACE . 65 EXPOSITION ADDRESS AND SALUTATION I. NAME AND TITLE OF THE WRITER . 72 5 Contents PAGE II. FRIENDLY GREETINGS AND COMPLIMENTS . 78 III. SALUTATION TO THE CHURCH-FELLOWSHIP . 84 IV. A GENERAL BENEDICTION . 91 THE EXORDIUM OR PROLOGUE PRELIMINARY NOTE . .97 I. DEVOUT THANKS AND PRAYER . .99 II. REASONS FOR THE DEVOUT THANKS . 104 III. PURPORT OF THE PRAYER . .109 IV. GOOD OCCASION FOR THANKS . 116 THE BODY OF THE EPISTLE I.
    [Show full text]
  • Philemon and Baucis
    Philemon and Baucis An exercise in interpretation: Ovid Metamorphoses VIII The text (translated by A.S.Kline) But that daring spirit, Pirithoüs, son of Ixion, scornful of the gods, laughed at their credulity. ‘These are fictions you tell of, Acheloüs, and you credit the gods with too much power, if you think they can give and take away the forms of things.’ The others were startled, and disapproved of his words, Lelex above all, experienced in mind and years, who said: ‘The power of the gods is great and knows no limit, and whatever heaven decrees comes to pass. To help convince you, in the hills of Phrygia, an oak and a linden tree stand side by side, surrounded by a low wall. I have seen the place, since Pittheus, king of Troezen, sent me into that country, where his father Pelops once ruled. There is a swamp not far from there, once habitable land but now the haunt of diving-birds and marsh-loving coots. Jupiter went there, disguised as a mortal, and Mercury, the descendant of Atlas, setting aside his wings, went with his father, carrying the caduceus. A thousand houses they approached, looking for a place to rest: a thousand houses were locked and bolted. But one received them: it was humble it is true, roofed with reeds and stems from the marsh, but godly Baucis and the equally aged Philemon, had been wedded in that cottage in their younger years, and there had grown old together. They made light of poverty by acknowledging it, and bearing it without discontent of mind.
    [Show full text]