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The Nag Hammadi Codices and their Ancient Readers : Exploring Textual Materiality and Reading Practice

Linjamaa, Paul LU (2024)
Abstract
Since their discovery in 1945, the Nag Hammadi Codices have generated questions and scholarly debate as to their date and function. Paul Linjamaa contributes to the discussion by offering insights into previously uncharted aspects pertinent to the materiality of the manuscripts. He explores the practical implementation of the texts in their ancient setting through analyses of codicological aspects, paratextual elements, and scribal features. Linjamaa's research supports the hypothesis that the Nag Hammadi texts had their origins in Pachomian monasticism. He shows how Pachomian monks used the texts for textual edification, spiritual development and pedagogical practices. He also demonstrates that the texts were used for perfecting scribal... (More)
Since their discovery in 1945, the Nag Hammadi Codices have generated questions and scholarly debate as to their date and function. Paul Linjamaa contributes to the discussion by offering insights into previously uncharted aspects pertinent to the materiality of the manuscripts. He explores the practical implementation of the texts in their ancient setting through analyses of codicological aspects, paratextual elements, and scribal features. Linjamaa's research supports the hypothesis that the Nag Hammadi texts had their origins in Pachomian monasticism. He shows how Pachomian monks used the texts for textual edification, spiritual development and pedagogical practices. He also demonstrates that the texts were used for perfecting scribal and editorial practice, and that they were used as protective artefacts containing sacred symbols in the continuous monastic warfare against evil spirits. Linjamaa's application of new material methods provides clues to the origins and use of ancient texts, and challenges preconceptions about ancient orthodoxy. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Book/Report
publication status
published
subject
pages
265 pages
publisher
Cambridge University Press
ISBN
9781009441469
9781009441483
DOI
10.1017/9781009441483
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
e68630c7-8e40-42e1-a2e5-4f9995c42e73
date added to LUP
2023-09-30 22:18:04
date last changed
2024-01-16 14:38:11
@book{e68630c7-8e40-42e1-a2e5-4f9995c42e73,
  abstract     = {{Since their discovery in 1945, the Nag Hammadi Codices have generated questions and scholarly debate as to their date and function. Paul Linjamaa contributes to the discussion by offering insights into previously uncharted aspects pertinent to the materiality of the manuscripts. He explores the practical implementation of the texts in their ancient setting through analyses of codicological aspects, paratextual elements, and scribal features. Linjamaa's research supports the hypothesis that the Nag Hammadi texts had their origins in Pachomian monasticism. He shows how Pachomian monks used the texts for textual edification, spiritual development and pedagogical practices. He also demonstrates that the texts were used for perfecting scribal and editorial practice, and that they were used as protective artefacts containing sacred symbols in the continuous monastic warfare against evil spirits. Linjamaa's application of new material methods provides clues to the origins and use of ancient texts, and challenges preconceptions about ancient orthodoxy.}},
  author       = {{Linjamaa, Paul}},
  isbn         = {{9781009441469}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{01}},
  publisher    = {{Cambridge University Press}},
  title        = {{The Nag Hammadi Codices and their Ancient Readers : Exploring Textual Materiality and Reading Practice}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/9781009441483}},
  doi          = {{10.1017/9781009441483}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}