Boslooper Thomas Reformed Church America (1 results)

Hardcover. 272 p.; 23 cm. `The birth narratives, then, are "Christian Midrashic haggada" which reflect the following Christian convictions based on the teaching of Jesus and the faith of the earliest church: the unity of God and man in Christ, the sanctity of sex, the necessity of monogamy and fidelity in marriage, the superiority of Christianity over astrology, the superiority of Christianity over the Baptist movement, the fulfillment of Judaism in Christianity, the universality of the gospel, and the inevitability of the success of the Christian mission. The birth narratives performed a dual evangliczing and catechizing function in presenting these beliefs both outside and within Christian circles. These ideas were expressed in mythical form, since it was only in this form that primitive peoples could grasp these truths, believe them, and have religious, ethical, moral, and social behavior motivated in their lives.' (p. 236) Good faded blue cloth. Jacket flaps taped to fep. Text unmarked.