This Festschrift draws on the research interests of Christopher Rowland. The collection of essays comes from former doctoral students and other friends, many of whom shed light on the angelic contribution to the thought-world of developing Christianity. The significance of the Jewish contribution to developing Christian ideology is critically assessed, including the impact of the original Jewish sources on the earliest Christian belief. The distinguished contributors to this volume include April DeConick, Paul Foster, John Rogerson, Tobias Nicklas and Andrei Orlov.

Table of ContentsForeword1. On trees and visionaries: the role of the cosmic tree and related material in Baruch, Daniel and Pseudo-Danielic literatureVincente Dobronruka, University of Brazil, Brazil2. Performing the Cosmic Mystery of the Church in the Communities of the DidacheJonathan Draper, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa3.The Similitudes of Enoch (1 En. 37-71): The Son of Man, Apocalyptic Messianism & Political TheologyCrispin Fletcher-Louis4. The Open Hell: A Study of the Apocalypse of PeterPaul Foster, University of Edinburgh, UK5. The Descending Son of Man in the Gospel of John: A Polemic against Mystical Ascent to See GodCharles A. Gieschen, Concordia Theological Seminary, USA6. Heavenly mysteries and earthly riches: an apocalyptic perspective on the proper use of wealth in the Gospel according to Luke?Andrew Gregory, University of Oxford, UK7. "The Christology of The Ascension of Isaiah: docetic or polymorphic?"Jonathan Knight, York St John University, UK8. "Before Mary and Jesus there was Raphael: An antecedent to the angelic "incarnations" of Jewish Christianity and its gospels"Phillip Muñoa, Hope College, USA9. Drink the Cup which I promised you!" (Apocalypse of Peter 14.4) Peter's Death and the End of TimesTobias Nicklas, University of Regensburg, Germany10. The Demise of the Antagonist in the Apocalyptic Scapegoat TraditionAndrei A. Orlov, Marquette University, USA11. Reading Leviticus TodayJ. W. Rogerson, University of Sheffield, UK12. Jesus, Angels and the Honeycomb in Luke 24:42Kevin P. Sullivan, Illinois Wesleyan University, USA13. 13. Escape from Time: The Cognitive Basis for Gnostic Ascent PracticesApril deConick, Rice University, USABibliographyIndex