Date of Award
Fall 1996
Document Type
Dissertation - Restricted
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Theology
First Advisor
Edwards, R. A.
Second Advisor
Schmitt, John J.
Third Advisor
B., R. Michael
Abstract
I was first introduced to ActsPet12Apost. in a class on the Nag Hammadi literature in the Spring of 1991. The seminar leader, Julian v. Hills, requested that each class participant study and present a paper on one of the texts. He personally asked me to read ActsPetl2Apost. and consider writing on it. I read it that evening and found its allegory and imagery captivating. I was particularly interested in Lithargoel's description of the Journey to Nine Gates: And also (concerning) the road to the city which you asked me about, I will tell you about it. No man is able to go on that road, expect one who has forsaken everything that he has and has fasted daily from stage to stage. For many are the robbers and wild beasts on that road. The one who carries bread with him on the road, the black dogs kill because of the bread. The one who carries a costly garment of the world with him, the robbers kill [because of the] garment. [The one who carries] water [with him, the wolves kill because of the water], since they were thirsty [for] it. [The one who] is anxious about [meat] and green vegetables, the lions eat because of the meat. [If] he evades the lions, the bulls devour him because of the green vegetables. (5.19-6.8) Peter and Lithargoel were in the island city of Habitation and yet the description of the journey included creatures that might more properly be found along a wilderness path. At first I assumed, as I would later find out that Hans-Martin Schenke had argued, that this discrepancy signaled a change in sources. However, upon rereading the text I realized that the animals mentioned by Lithargoel as infesting the way to Nine Gates had the power of cognition. Obviously, these were no ordinary animals...