Dying Adam with his multiethnic family : : understanding the Greek Life of Adam and Eve / / Michael D. Eldridge.

• Superior document: Studia in Veteris Testamenti Pseudepigrapha ; 16
• VerfasserIn: Eldridge, Michael D.,
• Place / Publishing House: Leiden ;, Boston : : Brill,, [2001]; ©2001
• Year of Publication: 2001
• Language: English
• Series: Studia in Veteris Testamenti pseudepigrapha ; 16.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource.

The Greek Life of Adam and Eve addresses the issue that every individual in every generation needs to face: the prospect of pain and sickness leading to death and beyond that the great unknown. But what kind of message does this writing bring to its readers? What kind of 'salvation' does it offer? Is it a Jewish or Christian text? In this first attempt to provide a comprehensive interpretation, Michael Eldridge deploys a panoply of scholarly methods, including lexical analysis, textual criticism, genre criticism, narrative criticism and speech act theory, to establish that the Greek Life has in part a missionary intent and is most likely a Jewish rather than a Christian text. This study will interest all concerned with Early Judaism, especially those grappling with the 'Jewish mission' question.

Table of Contents

The first comprehensive attempt to provide an interpretation of this ancient text. Narrative criticism and speech act theory are deployed. A Jewish rather than Christian provenance is argued for, and its bearing on possible Jewish missionary activity is assessed.