The Earliest Christian Hymnbook: The Odes of Solomon

by James H. Charlesworth

Publisher:

Cascade Books

, 2009

Overview

That the earliest followers of Jesus wrote poetry and hymns is evident in the New Testament. In this volume, James H. Charlesworth examines and translates the Odes of Solomon—a collection of early Christian hymns. Some are obviously Christian, while others are perhaps Jewish. The beauty of these poems is a tribute to the depth of spirituality in early Christian communities, many of which were formerly Jewish. Charlesworth offers an inviting introduction and translation of these hymns that is both engaging and true to the original languages. An index of ancient sources also provides readers with access to a wide range of references.

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Key Features

• Explores the spirituality and liturgy of the earliest Christian communities
• Provides a translation of the Odes of Solomon
• Includes an index of ancient sources with a wide range of references

Contents

Top Highlights

“The most striking and significant parallels between the Odes and a New Testament document are with the Gospel of John. Both contain the Word Christology (that is, both portray Jesus as the pre-existent Word who took on flesh in human space and time). Both place an emphasis on love, and the reception of eternal life through the drinking of ‘living water.” (Page xxvii)

“The Odist seems to stand at a three-way junction: Some on the way will proceed ahead to Rabbinic Judaism, others will move on to full-blown Gnosticism, and many will progress to orthodox Christianity.” (Page xxxii)

“completed in the early second century, and most likely before 125 CE.” (Page xxii)

“the Odist is a Jew who eventually believed that Jesus is the Messiah.” (Page xxviii)

“sect or group that collected and wrote ‘the Dead Sea Scrolls.’” (Page xvii)

Praise for the Print Edition

Eminent scholar James Charlesworth has provided a stunning translation of the poetic second-century Odes of Solomon. . . . The attractively designed publication is fine for scholars, wonderful for believers.

—Gail Ramshaw, former president, North American Academy of Liturgy

Product Details

• Title: The Earliest Christian Hymnbook: The Odes of Solomon
• Translator: James H. Charlesworth
• Publisher: Cascade
• Publication Date: 2009
• Pages: 172
• Resource Type: Monographs
• Topic: Early Church

About James H. Charlesworth

James H. Charlesworth is George L. Collord Professor of New Testament Language and Literature at Princeton Theological Seminary. His academic interests include the Dead Sea Scrolls, apocryphal works, the historical Jesus, the Gospel of John, and the Revelation of John. He teaches courses on the relationship between the Jesus traditions in the Gospels and the theologies of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the life and thought of Jesus of Nazareth, the Old Testament in the New, the Gospel and Epistles of John, and the Hebrew and theology of the Dead Sea Scrolls. He is the author of The Messiah: Developments in Earliest Judaism and Christianity, The Pesharim and Qumran History, and is the editor of The Old Testament Pseudepigripha.

Sample Pages from The Earliest Christian Hymnbook: The Odes of Solomon