DOCSLIB.ORG

The Character of the Purse: Analyzing Tax Records and Administrative Policy from The

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Character of the Purse: Analyzing Tax Records and Administrative Policy from The The Character of the Purse: Analyzing tax records and administrative policy from the perspective of Christology in 7th-8th Century Egypt Kurt Gustav Peter Schimke Dissertation presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Faculty of Theology at Stellenbosch University Supervisor: Dr. Retief Müller April 2019 1 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za DECLARATION By submitting this dissertation electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. April 2019 Copyright © 2019 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved 2 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Abstract This dissertation is a qualitative study of literary and documentary evidence driven by a proposition: “Did Historical-Contextual Christological perspectives in seventh and eighth century Egypt have a direct impact on the economic and political relationship with Arabs, specifically as it relates to taxes, and if so, how, and to what extent?” This is a study of historiographical and papyri evidence that answers this question via ecclesiastical discourse involved with the economic (tax) policy of Arab rule from 641 to ~720 with the hope of making the connection between theology and practice. This is a logical expectation, as theologians and administrators of this time period were classically trained in Christology, and so have an identifiable logic or pattern so as to connect ideas to practice. Therefore, the progressive development of both Chalcedonian and Miaphysite Christologies are examined in this study with their direct relationship to the State both before and after the Arab conquest of Egypt. Then in turn the administrative policy of tax administration is evaluated in structure and documentation, with a view towards discovering internal Christological language that indicates motive for action. To further develop the comprehension of this work, case analysis in comparative historical method is used with contemporary Syrian experience. With a holistic view of the internal comparison of available data, I pursue secondary sources in order to analyze primary evidence with extant papyri available. What was also anticipated by looking at this evidence was path dependence, for there was evidence of a persistent administrative structure for government taxes/finances. This study further utilized the construct of ideal- type narrative comparison, by comparing Syria as a value-rational ideal type. This method is used for testing the hypothesis in order to determine the original meaning in context of Egyptian Christology and taxes. Religious statements are indicators of a state of political conflict, as well as for both continuity and change. By observing the conflict via the interaction between disparate theological communities, the precise points of Christological debate identify a points of contact between Christology, the State, and practice. Internal evidence of Syria and Egypt point to a sacerdotal focus of the Eucharist as the point of contact in conflict between Christological confessions. There is also an implied connection from this sacrament to the political world encountered, for resistance in its many forms to a heavy tax burden is passive in nature. The question then remains as to why. The study concludes in the findings that the majority Miaphysite Christology did not have a world and life view (Weltanschauung) which provided an ethic for self-defense in direct opposition to the State, for the Muslim State continued to be viewed as a divine sanction for the activities of the church and its members. The point of resistance then was in seeking political change via the power of the Christ encountered in the sacrament. 3 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Acknowledgements I would like to thank the many people and institutions who made this dissertation possible. First and foremost, many thanks to my wife and children for allowing their husband and father to disappear into his “Hobbit Hole” in order to complete this work for such a long period of time. Without their patience, support, and endurance this simply would not have been completed. Also, I would like to thank the administration and staff of the African Bible University of Uganda for their kind permission to take an extended leave, who also encouraged me to take on this work. It was the mutual hope and understanding with the University that this project would benefit the institution and its students, and such a goal gave me a focus on which to persist and endure. No project of this sort is possible without the encouragement of other professionals in the field. In this light I would like to especially thank Dr. Retief Müller for his consistent and enduring encouragement over the years. His advice and comments made the burden lighter and gave me encouragement when I needed it most. Research is impossible without the kindness and generosity of our many supporters who have given faithfully throughout the years in order for our work in Uganda to continue. Without their faithful giving we could not have maintained the family through this period and complete the degree process. I would also like to thank Mr. James Solis, for I have benefitted from his many years of study of the Eastern mindset, and to grasp the dynamic of this particular world of theology. I am indebted to him for his many insights and generosity of his time. To the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the primary focus and subject of this study, “For he is before all things, and by Him all things consist” (Col. 1:17). 4 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Table of Contents Abstract 3 Acknowledgements 4 Glossary 7 Introduction 13 1.0 The State of the State in the Stature of Christ: The State of Chalcedonian Christology in 7th Century Egypt 23 1.1 Unity by any Means (and Menas) necessary 38 1.2 Post Conquest Response of the Chalcedonian community to the new State 46 1.3 Worship as measured action in Christology 52 2.0 The State of the State in the stature of Christ: 7th Century Miaphysite Theology in practice 54 2.1 The Focus Point of Offense at Chalcedon 55 2.2 Does the definition of Union in Christ bring about Unity? 68 2.3 The ‘State’ of Unity in the Emperor’s Instrument: The Henotikon 75 2.4 The Middle Voice of Egypt to Justinian, and the Imperative Voice from Justinian 78 2.5 Reacting to Imperial Authority and Creating parallel Hierarchy 88 2.6 Benjamin I: The Separate Hierarchy comes into its Own 101 2.7 Next Crisis: Hierarchy handling few Resources 117 2.8 Monk as Mediator: Spiritual and Material Resources 121 2.9 Managing the Mantle: Clergy and Laity Share the Burden 131 3.0 The State of Understanding of Arab Policy by the Coptic Church 137 3.1 Introduction of System and Response 137 3.2 The System in Broad Context 139 3.3 The Main Point of it all: Military Vigilance 140 3.4 Uncovering a Regional Tax Policy 144 3.5 Dividing the Period by State response to Christian reactions 154 3.6 The Guarantee to Build Trust 166 3.7 Chora and Church with the same Quota 171 5 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za 3.8 Adjusting the Policy and adjusting to it 172 3.9 Communes and Communality: Shared land, Shared taxes 176 3.9.1 A Pious Payment: “First Fruits” tithe guarantee 178 3.9.2 Child Donations: In service to Christ 183 4.0 Narrative comparison with the Syrian Palestinian Experience. 199 4.1 The Arabian Peace? 209 4.2 The Last Byzantine Attempt at Christological Unity in Syria- Monenergism 214 4.3 Post Conquest management of divisions 221 4.4 Holy Bishops Handling Money 239 4.5 Nessana: The Bishop, the State, and the Village: integrated 243 4.6 From South to North: The Flexible Frontier 254 4.7 The Unfriendly Canons: Jacob of Edessa 261 4.8 Conclusion: the non-ideal ideal type 268 5.0 Summary and Analysis: The Eastern Christian mind, and implications of that on Economy and State. 274 5.1 Results and Analysis [part 1]: The Coptic Connection between Theology and Economy. 320 5.1.1 Cyril’s Incarnational Application 321 5.1.2 Severus of Antioch and the Spiritual Via Media 329 5.2 Results and Analysis: [Part 2]: Das Mitte: The Subtle Influence of Subordinationism 332 5.2.1 Caveat Concerns 346 Bibliography 352 6 Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Glossary of Terms Acepheloi (“headless ones”): Miaphysite groups who did not recognize the authority of the Patriarch and chose not to appoint their own. Anchoritism/Anchorite: “One who has retired from the world.” A form of Ascetic Monasticism where the monk chooses to live in complete self-sufficient isolation, for the purposes of prayer and meditation. Their cells might be attached to a church or monastic community, but were considered dead to the world, and thus a living Saint. Andrismos: A poll tax on males of a certain age, aner (man) being the Greek root of the term. Aparché: “first fruits” The term has its origin in the Old Testament understanding of bringing the first produce from the harvest of your land to the church or monastery (Lev.23:40; Deut. 26:1-10). The term is euphemistically applied to the tax-rent collection. Aphthartodocetism: Promoted by Julian of Halicarnassus, who denied that Christ’s humanity was precisely our own, perhaps even a phantasm. His guiding presupposition is that for there to be one property of Christ’s nature, then it must be uncorrupted in every sense.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Continuity and Tradition: the Prominent Role of Cyrillian Christology In
    Jacopo Gnisci Jacopo Gnisci CONTINUITY AND TRADITION: THE PROMINENT ROLE OF CYRILLIAN CHRISTOLOGY IN FIFTEENTH AND SIXTEENTH CENTURY ETHIOPIA The Ethiopian Tewahedo Church is one of the oldest in the world. Its clergy maintains that Christianity arrived in the country during the first century AD (Yesehaq 1997: 13), as a result of the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch, narrated in the Acts of the Apostles (8:26-39). For most scholars, however, the history of Christianity in the region begins with the conversion of the Aksumite ruler Ezana, approximately during the first half of the fourth century AD.1 For historical and geographical reasons, throughout most of its long history the Ethiopian Church has shared strong ties with Egypt and, in particular, with the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. For instance, a conspicuous part of its literary corpus, both canonical and apocryphal, is drawn from Coptic sources (Cerulli 1961 67:70). Its liturgy and theology were also profoundly affected by the developments that took place in Alexandria (Mercer 1970).2 Furthermore, the writings of one of the most influential Alexandrian theologians, Cyril of Alexandria (c. 378-444), played a particularly significant role in shaping Ethiopian theology .3 The purpose of this paper is to highlight the enduring importance and influence of Cyril's thought on certain aspects of Ethiopian Christology from the early developments of Christianity in the country to the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Its aim, therefore, is not to offer a detailed examination of Cyril’s work, or more generally of Ethiopian Christology. Rather, its purpose is to emphasize a substantial continuity in the traditional understanding of the nature of Christ amongst Christian 1 For a more detailed introduction to the history of Ethiopian Christianity, see Kaplan (1982); Munro-Hay (2003).
    [Show full text]
  • The Apostolic Succession of the Right Rev. James Michael St. George
    The Apostolic Succession of The Right Rev. James Michael St. George © Copyright 2014-2015, The International Old Catholic Churches, Inc. 1 Table of Contents Certificates ....................................................................................................................................................4 ......................................................................................................................................................................5 Photos ...........................................................................................................................................................6 Lines of Succession........................................................................................................................................7 Succession from the Chaldean Catholic Church .......................................................................................7 Succession from the Syrian-Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch..............................................................10 The Coptic Orthodox Succession ............................................................................................................16 Succession from the Russian Orthodox Church......................................................................................20 Succession from the Melkite-Greek Patriarchate of Antioch and all East..............................................27 Duarte Costa Succession – Roman Catholic Succession .........................................................................34
    [Show full text]
  • The Second Church Schism
    The Second Church Schism Outline h Review: First Schism h Chalcedonian Orthodox Churches h Second Schism h Eastern Orthodox Churches h Unity Between the 2 Orthodox Families The First Schism h Eutychus’ heresy: > One divine nature (monophysitism) h St. Dioscorus; (St. Cyril’s teachings): > “One nature of God the Word incarnate” (miaphysitism) > “Divine nature and Human nature are united (μία, mia - "one" or "unity") in a compound nature ("physis"), the two being united without separation, without mixture, without confusion, and without alteration.” h Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.) > Non-Chalcedonian (East): Alexandria, Jerusalem, Antioch > Chalcedonian (West): Rome and Constantinople Non-Chalcedonian Orthodox Churches h Coptic Orthodox h Syrian Orthodox h Armenian Orthodox h Indian Orthodox h Ethiopian Orthodox h Eritrean Church h All these churches are one family, one in faith, and in the communion of the mysteries. Chalcedonian Orthodox Churches h Group of Churches, which recognize the council of Chalcedon and its canons. >2 Major Sees: Rome, Constantinople >Adopts the formula "in two natures" (dyophysitism) in expressing its faith in the Lord Christ. >Remained united until the eleventh century AD. Chalcedonian Orthodox Churches h They held four additional major councils which they consider ecumenical. >Chalcedonian Orthodox consider seven ecumenical councils as authoritative teaching concerning faith and practice: • Nicea, 325 AD; • Constantinople, 381 AD; • Ephesus, 431 AD; • Chalcedon, 451 AD; • 2nd Constantinople, 553 AD; • 3rd Constantinople, 68O-681 AD; • 2nd Nicea, 787AD. Council in Trullo (Quinisext) in 692 h Held under Byzantine auspices, excluded Rome >Took the practices of the Church of Constantinople as “Orthodox”, condemned Western practices: • using wine unmixed with water for the Eucharist (canon 32), • choosing children of clergy for appointment as clergy (canon 33), • eating eggs and cheese on Saturdays and Sundays of Lent (canon 56) • fasting on Saturdays of Lent (canon 55).
    [Show full text]
  • Byzantine Hymnography and the Quest for Orthodox Unity: Notes on the Liturgical Commemoration of the Council of Chalcedon, Towar
    Byzantine Hymnography and the Quest for Orthodox Unity: Notes on the Liturgical Commemoration of the Council of Chalcedon, Towards the Reconciliation of “Eastern” and “Oriental” Churches Gregory Tucker* Among the issues remaining to be addressed along the path to reconciliation between the “Eastern” and “Oriental” Orthodox is the characterisation of Oriental teachers as heretics in the liturgical texts of the Byzantine Rite. The mere suggestion of liturgical revision to reflect the agreement that multiple theological vocabularies are legitimate and therefore theologians associated with them should not be anathematized or deprecated has been met with fierce opposition from some Eastern Orthodox. This paper considers what might actually be involved in such a revision, taking as an example the texts for the commemoration of the Council of Chalcedon. It suggests that the extent of necessary revision would be far less than is perhaps feared. Keywords: Chalcedon, liturgy, liturgical revision, Byzantine Rite, Eastern Or- thodox, Oriental Orthodox Introduction From an Orthodox perspective, one of the great fruits of modern ecumen- ism1 has been the inauguration of a new phase in the relationship between the “Eastern” and “Oriental” Orthodox churches.2 An unofficial bilateral dialogue began in 1964, which became an official dialogue in 1985. Initial conversations correctly prioritised discussion of contested points in Chris- tology (disagreement over which contributed significantly to and, to a large * Gregory Tucker, Universität Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, 93503 Regensburg, Germa- ny, [email protected] 1 This paper will not address opposition on principle to ecumenical dialogue (including dialogue between separated Orthodox groups) which is a common–indeed, characteristic– feature of some traditions within contemporary Eastern Orthodoxy.
    [Show full text]
  • Christology of the Later Fathers General Editors
    Christology of the Later Fathers General Editors John Baillie (1886-1960) served as President of the World Council of Churches, a member of the British Council of Churches, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and Dean of the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh. John T. McNeill (1885-1975) was Professor of the History of European Christianity at the University of Chicago and then Auburn Professor of Church History at Union Theological Seminary in New York. Henry P. Van Dusen (1897-1975) was an early and influen- tial member of the World Council of Churches and served at Union Theological Seminary in New York as Roosevelt Professor of Systematic Theology and later as President. THE LIBRARY OF CHRISTIAN CLASSICS Christology of the Later Fathers Edited by EDWARD R. HARDY PhD In collaboration with CYRIL C. RICHARDSON ThD, DD © 1954 The Westminster Press Paperback reissued 2006 by Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, Kentucky. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmit- ted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. For infor- mation, address Westminster John Knox Press, 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202-1396. Cover design by designpointinc.com Published by Westminster John Knox Press Louisville, Kentucky This book is printed on acid-free paper that meets the American National Standards Institute Z39.48 standard.© PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Durham E-Theses
    Durham E-Theses Maximus the Confessor & the Trinity - The Early Works LOPEZ, ERIC,LEIGH How to cite: LOPEZ, ERIC,LEIGH (2014) Maximus the Confessor & the Trinity - The Early Works, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/11192/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 1 ABSTRACT Eric Leigh Lopez Maximus the Confessor & the Trinity – The Early Works In this study, I will argue that Maximus the Confessor’s (580-662 CE) engagement with the ascetic concerns and the theological controversies of the sixth and seventh century helped develop his early works toward a unique and distinctively Trinitarian articulation of Christian life and post-Chalcedonian theology. In the Liber asceticus, Maximus illustrates the Trinity as the beginning, means and end of Christian life, highlighting baptism, the Spirit’s appropriation of Son’s activities to the baptized, how the incarnate Son serves as the example of love and interweaves Trinitarian prayer into the dialogue’s appeal for mercy.
    [Show full text]
  • A Date for P.KRU 105? L.S.B
    Proceedings of the Twenty-Fifth International Congress of Papyrology, Ann Arbor 2007 American Studies in Papyrology (Ann Arbor 2010) 449–454 A Date for P.KRU 105? L.S.B. MacCoull You [pl.] are owners of the whole topos of Apa Phoibammon, so as to dwell in it, build on it or pull it down, or receive men to yourselves there, anyone who will walk in the fear of God for the whole time of your life and of the one you shall assign to the topos after you to serve () it in the work of charity ( [sic]) to the poor. And no man is to be able to [transgress this] ... And we all together have established this document (). So proclaim lines 3–9 and 21–22 of P.KRU 105 (=P.RevilloutCopt. 4 ['Boulaq 5']), a document long regarded as the foundation charter (or confirmation of rights) for the famous monastery of St. Phoibammon, the one that was built into the Pharaonic temple of Deir el-Bahri in late antiquity.1 The "we" framing the document in the first person plural designate themselves as "the whole village" (l. 24) acting through ( = ) their most pious priests and Papnoute the most honorable ( μ o ) lashane or village headman (= μ ) (l. 25). This corporate entity, the entire village2 we know as Jeme, is confirming the St. Phoibammon community as collective owners (with specified ownership rights familiar from Roman law) of the complex of "footprint" and built structures, on the basis of that community's priority in time and investment of labor. "We find," they state, "that you [pl.] are the ones who took trouble for the topos from the first; you established [same verb] it from its being [having been] a desert ()" (ll.
    [Show full text]
  • Verbum Crucis, Virtus Dei: a Study of Theopaschism from the Council of Chalcedon (451) to the Age of Justinian
    Verbum Crucis, Virtus Dei: A Study of Theopaschism from the Council of Chalcedon (451) to the Age of Justinian by Dana luliana Viezure A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Centre for Medieval Studies University of Toronto © Copyright by Dana luliana Viezure, 2009 Library and Archives Bibliotheque et 1*1 Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de I'edition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 OttawaONK1A0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-55692-4 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-55692-4 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non­ L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par I'lnternet, preter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans le loan, distribute and sell theses monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non­ support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. The author retains copyright L'auteur conserve la propriete du droit d'auteur ownership and moral rights in this et des droits moraux qui protege cette these. Ni thesis. Neither the thesis nor la these ni des extraits substantiels de celle-ci substantial extracts from it may be ne doivent etre imprimes ou autrement printed or otherwise reproduced reproduits sans son autorisation.
    [Show full text]
  • Martyrs, Saints & Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church
    Martyrs, Saints & Prelates of The Syriac Orthodox Church Volume VII Cor-Episcopo K. Mani Rajan, M.Sc., M.Ed., Ph.D. J. S. C. Publications Patriarchal Centre Puthencruz 2019 Dedicated to St. Osthatheos Sleeba (AD 1908 - 1930) Delegate of the Holy See of Antioch Martyrs, Saints & Prelates of The Syriac Orthodox Church (Volume VII) Cor-Episcopo K. Mani Rajan First Edition 2019 Copyright Reserved All rights reserved. No reproduction or translation in whole or part is allowed without written permission from the author. Price Rs. 95.00 U.S. $ 10.00 Typesetting and Cover Design by: Julius C. Abraham, megapixel Graphics, Kottayam Printed at: Mor Julius Press, Puthencruz Published By: J. S. C. Publications MD Church Centre, Patriarchal Centre Puthencruz, Kerala, India Phone: + 91 484 2255581, 9400306581 email:[email protected] Copies: 1000 Contents Foreword ................................................. vii Acknowledgement .................................... ix Abbreviations Used .................................. xi 1. Apostle Aquila ................................................1 2. Saint Christina ................................................2 3. Prophet Micah ................................................5 4. Saint Eutychius, Disciple of Apostle John .....6 5. Gregory of Nazianzus, the Elder ....................7 6. Mor Gregorius Paulos Behnam .....................8 7. Hananiah who baptised St. Paul ...................10 8. Lydia, who sold purple cloth ........................12 9. Nicodemus ...................................................14
    [Show full text]
  • Late Ancient Jewish and Christian Multivocal Texts and the Creation of Religious Legitimacy
    Speaking as the Other: Late Ancient Jewish and Christian Multivocal Texts and the Creation of Religious Legitimacy by Michail Kitsos A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Near Eastern Studies) in the University of Michigan 2020 Doctoral Committee: Professor Ellen Muehlberger, Co-Chair Associate Professor Rachel Rafael Neis, Co-Chair Dr. Ra῾anan S. Boustan, Princeton University Associate Professor Jay Crisostomo Dr. Andrew S. Jacobs, Harvard Divinity School Associate Professor Ryan Szpiech Michail Kitsos [email protected] ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0992-2752 © Michail Kitsos 2020 Τὸ δὲ ζητούμενον ἁλωτὸν, ἐκφεύγει δὲ τἀμελούμενον... ii Acknowledgements I wish to express my deepest gratitude to my co-advisors and mentors, Professor Ellen Muehlberger and Professor Rachel Rafael Neis whose support and contribution were instrumental for me to complete this dissertation. They guided me and taught me throughout this academic journey with generosity and selflessness, and with their feedback and stature, they set up for me an example of what it means to be an academic and on how to strive to improve academically. Their advice during these years added up to an invaluable treasure for me. I thank them from the bottom of my heart for playing an instrumental role in my graduate studies, in my academic forging, and in my dissertation. I also want to express my warmest gratitude to the rest of my dissertation committee, Professor Ra῾anan S. Boustan, Professor Jay Crisostomo, Professor Andrew S. Jacobs, and Professor Ryan W. Szpiech, whose academic excellence, compassion, and guidance enriched my academic life during the composition of my dissertation and whose help often extended beyond their call of duty as committee members.
    [Show full text]
  • Defending Divine Unity in the Muslim Milieu: the Trinitarian and Christological Formulations of Ab Al-Faraj ‘Abd Allh Ibn Al-Ayyib and Iliyy of Nisibis
    Middlesex University Research Repository An open access repository of Middlesex University research http://eprints.mdx.ac.uk Kuhn, Michael F. (2017) Defending divine unity in the Muslim milieu: the Trinitarian and Christological formulations of Ab al-Faraj ‘Abd Allh Ibn al-ayyib and Iliyy of Nisibis. PhD thesis, Middlesex University. [Thesis] Final accepted version (with author’s formatting) This version is available at: https://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/21633/ Copyright: Middlesex University Research Repository makes the University’s research available electronically. Copyright and moral rights to this work are retained by the author and/or other copyright owners unless otherwise stated. The work is supplied on the understanding that any use for commercial gain is strictly forbidden. A copy may be downloaded for personal, non-commercial, research or study without prior permission and without charge. Works, including theses and research projects, may not be reproduced in any format or medium, or extensive quotations taken from them, or their content changed in any way, without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). They may not be sold or exploited commercially in any format or medium without the prior written permission of the copyright holder(s). Full bibliographic details must be given when referring to, or quoting from full items including the author’s name, the title of the work, publication details where relevant (place, publisher, date), pag- ination, and for theses or dissertations the awarding institution, the degree type awarded, and the date of the award. If you believe that any material held in the repository infringes copyright law, please contact the Repository Team at Middlesex University via the following email address: [email protected] The item will be removed from the repository while any claim is being investigated.
    [Show full text]
  • Syriac Source-Material for Islam's Holy Book
    Syriac Source-Material For Islam’s Holy Book October 18, 2019 Category: Religion Download as PDF (This is the first of a two-part piece on the Syriac origins of Islamic lore. Here, I will analyze content. The next part will be a linguistic analysis. Note: Mohammed of Mecca, considered the “Seal of the Prophets” in Islam, is denoted “MoM”. Classical Arabic is denoted “CA”.) A full understanding of the development of the Koran–and of the Mohammedan Faith in general–cannot be procured until one recognizes the percolating memetic environs in which it occurred. During the epoch of the religion’s gestation (from the late 7th century through the early 9th century), cultures of the Middle East were suffused with a potpourri of Abrahamic folklore. This is made apparent by the Syriac basis for much of what eventually came to be Islam’s sacred scripture. Predictably, such history has been elided by Islamic apologists in an attempt to uphold even the most flimsy of historiographic claims. This laundering of history does not necessarily stem from perfidy; it merely requires that we not notice what the historical record shows. My aim here is to counter such dissimulation by highlighting some key points. Let’s start with the obvious. If the Koran were derivative in nature, we would expect to find antecedent sources with distinct peculiarities that match the raft of distinct peculiarities found in the Koran. It turns out that this is–indeed–what we find. Upon surveying the contents of Islam’s holy book, we encounter myriad idiosyncrasies that had been recycled from earlier material.
    [Show full text]