Description
Magic and Heresy in Ancient Christian Literature provides a comprehensive examination of how early Christian authors conceptualized and contested magical practices within their theological frameworks. Shaily Shashikant Patel explores the intersection of magic and heresy in late antique Christian discourse, demonstrating how accusations of magic functioned as rhetorical tools in doctrinal disputes.
The book analyzes primary sources from the first several centuries of Christianity, revealing the evolving definitions of magic and its relationship to orthodox and heterodox Christian practices. Patel argues that Christian writers weaponized accusations of magic against rival theological positions, using magical rhetoric to delegitimize opponents. This study illuminates the social, cultural, and theological contexts in which magic became associated with heresy, while also showing how Christian ideas about magic shaped broader late antique religious discourse and practice.
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