The Innovative Use of Biblical Traditions for Ritual Power: The Crucifixion of Jesus on a Coptic Exorcistic Spell (Brit. Lib. Or. 6796[4], 6796) as a Test Case

In this paper, I explore the creative use of biblical traditions in so-called “magical” texts through a detailed analysis of the crucifixion tradition on Brit. Lib. Or. 6796(4), 6796, a seventh-century CE spell for exorcism. I examine three overlapping ways in which the practitioner interacts with t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archiv für Religionsgeschichte
Main Author: Sanzo, Joseph E. 1980- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: De Gruyter 2015
In: Archiv für Religionsgeschichte
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Crucifixion image / Ritual magic / Coptic language / Incantation / Exorcism
RelBib Classification:AG Religious life; material religion
CC Christianity and Non-Christian religion; Inter-religious relations
KDF Orthodox Church
Online Access: Presumably Free Access
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Summary:In this paper, I explore the creative use of biblical traditions in so-called “magical” texts through a detailed analysis of the crucifixion tradition on Brit. Lib. Or. 6796(4), 6796, a seventh-century CE spell for exorcism. I examine three overlapping ways in which the practitioner interacts with the crucifixion story: selection and arrangement of pre-existing traditions; invention of new elements of the story; and the juxtaposition of word and image. I then reflect on the implications of the crucifixion tradition in this spell for analyzing the relationship between biblical traditions and metonymy in “magical” texts, more generally.
ISSN:1868-8888
Contains:In: Archiv für Religionsgeschichte
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1515/arege-2014-0007