Resurrection of the Body

Through a scholarly, but surprisingly accessible, synthesis of eschatology, art, anthropology, history and theology, Bynum, a specialist in medieval religion and culture at Columbia and a former MacArthur Fellow, traces the evolution of lay and theological views of the soul's relationship to the body throughout early and medieval Christianity. Her focal points are selected eras that are pivotal in the formation of the Church's core doctrine of the resurrection of the body following its earthly death and, secondly, the impact of that belief upon subsequent attitudes about conversion, burial practice, persecution, social hierarchy and gender. Currently held concepts on ``the fate of the body,'' the author finds, are rooted in Christendom's long past. Indeed, medieval theological precepts, documented here in cited texts, have a familiar ring since they still echo in pulpits everywhere. This is a masterly work of old-fashioned intellectual history. Illustrations. (Dec.)