The Proskynesis of Jesus in the New Testament: A Study on the Significance of Jesus as an Object of προσκυνέω in the New Testament Writings

Description

This book investigates the use of the Greek term "proskuneo" with Jesus as the object in the New Testament writings. Ray M. Lozano unpicks this interesting term and examines its capacity to express various degrees of reverence directed toward a superior: from a respectful greeting of an elder, to homage paid to a king, to cultic worship paid to a god. Lozano then looks at the term in reference to Jesus in the New Testament writings, and carefully considers whether Jesus is portrayed as receiving such reverence in a relatively weak sense as a merely human figure, or in a relatively strong sense as a divine figure. Lozano outlines how scholars are divided over this issue and provides a fresh, thorough examination of the New Testament material (Mark, Matthew, Luke-Acts, John, Hebrews, and Revelation) and in so-doing shows that each of these New Testament writings, in their own unique ways, presents Jesus as a divine figure uniquely and closely linked to the God of Israel in making him an object of "proskuneo". Title Page Copyright Page Contents Acknowledgments Introduction A. Justification for this study B. Approach of this study C. Outline of this study Chapter 1: Προσκυνέω in the Cultural Context of the NT Writings A. Προσκυνέω in Greco-Roman literature B. Προσκυνέω in the OT and in early Jewish literature C. Conclusion Chapter 2: The Προσκύνησις of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark A. The Προσκύνησις of Jesus by the Gerasene demoniac B. The Προσκύνησις of Jesus by the Roman soldiers C. The significance of the Προσκύνησις of Jesus in Mark D. Conclusion Chapter 3: The Προσκύνησις of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew A. The Προσκύνησις of God B. The Προσκύνησις of Jesus C. The significance of the Προσκύνησις of Jesus in Matthew D. Conclusion Chapter 4: The Προσκύνησις of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts A. The Προσκύνησις of God B. The Προσκύνησις of false gods C. The Προσκύνησις of Peter D. The Προσκύνησις of Jesus by the disciples at his ascension E. The significance of the Προσκύνησις of Jesus in Luke-Acts F. Conclusion Chapter 5: The Προσκύνησις of Jesus in the Gospel of John A. The Προσκύνησις of God B. The Προσκύνησις of Jesus by the formerly blind man C. The significance of the Προσκύνησις of Jesus in John D. Conclusion Chapter 6: The Προσκύνησις of Jesus in the Epistle to the Hebrews A. The Προσκύνησις of Jesus by the angels B. The significance of the Προσκύνησις of Jesus in Hebrews C. Conclusion Chapter 7: The Προσκύνησις of Jesus in the Book of Revelation A. The Προσκύνησις of God B. The Προσκύνησις of evil figures C. The Προσκύνησις of angels D. The Προσκύνησις of the Philadelphian Christians E. The Προσκύνησις of Jesus by heavenly beings F. The significance of the Προσκύνησις of Jesus in Revelation G. Conclusion Conclusion A. Summary of findings B. Significant points of commonality C. Final overall assessment Bibliography Primary sources Secondary sources Index of Authors Index of References