Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Modern Approaches in Humanities and Social sciences
Year: 2023
DOI:
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Bardaisan’s ‘Book of the Laws of the Countries‘: A Re-Examination of Fate, Free Will, And Christian Doctrine – Reading the One Text We Actually Have
Lukas Jansen
ABSTRACT:
This paper offers a comprehensive exploration of Bardaisan’s ‘Book of the Laws of the Countries (BLC)’, juxtaposing it with contemporary interpretations and drawing upon Quentin Skinner’s methodology for a nuanced understanding. Delving deep into the thematic elements, historical context, and broader implications of Bardaisan’s work, the study aims to discern its significance within the Christian tradition. Through a critical engagement with modern scholarship, the paper highlights potential pitfalls in current readings of Bardaisan’s work and underscores the importance of understanding the author’s ‘illocutionary intention’. The study concludes with a call for a demythologization of doctrinal studies in theological humanities.
keywords: Bardaisan, Book of the Laws of the Countries, Quentin Skinner, illocutionary intention, Christian tradition, free will, apocalypticism, demythologization, doctrine