Noli me tangere in Interdisciplinary Perspective

Noli me tangere in Interdisciplinary Perspective: Textual, Iconographic and Contemporary Interpretations is a collectionof 23essays by an international group of contributors on one of the Bible'smost influential iconic expressions. The prohibition expressed by therisen Jesus in John 20,17 has influenced Western culture in its Latinrendering as Noli me tangere. As such itbecame well-known in thevisual arts and in literature. The Noli metangere influencedphilosophy and theology, theoretical discussion and practical action.This book's interdisciplinary character is reflected in the fact thatitis subdivided into three parts which are of more or less equal length(see I. The Biblical Text and Its Textual Interpretation; II. TheBiblical Text and Its Iconographic Interpretation; and III. The BiblicalText and Its Contemporary Interpretation).
In its inter- andintra-disciplinary breadth this book could be seen as a window, a mirrorand an icon. As a window, it opens up a perspective on the rich culturaland academic Wirkungsgeschichte the words ofthe Johannine Jesusin John 20:17, in particular in their Latin translation as Nolimetangere, have had. In this way it also documents a phase inthestudy of the subject. As a mirror, this book challenges the academicdisciplines and in particular the scholars themselves by confrontingthem with their own social and historical location and the way thisinfluences their own research. As an icon, this collection points beyonditself and reminds us that scholarship is not an island, but that inever so implicit and indirect ways it is part of the human dream for abetter world. This book is a witness to the ongoing ways in which theNoli me tangere in its Johannine context andbeyond continues tocreate new meaning.