- Hardcover: 880 pages
- Publisher: Doubleday Religion (July 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0385422997
- ISBN-13: 978-0385422994
- Product Dimensions: 17 x 5.1 x 24.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 632,576 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Life After Death
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A magisterial work of social history, Life After Death illuminates the many different ways ancient civilizations grappled with the question of what exactly happens to us after we die.
In a masterful exploration of how Western civilizations have defined the afterlife, Alan F. Segal weaves together biblical and literary scholarship, sociology, history, and philosophy. A renowned scholar, Segal examines the maps of the afterlife found in Western religious texts and reveals not only what various cultures believed but how their notions reflected their societies’ realities and ideals, and why those beliefs changed over time. He maintains that the afterlife is the mirror in which a society arranges its concept of the self. The composition process for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam begins in grief and ends in the victory of the self over death.
Arguing that in every religious tradition the afterlife represents the ultimate reward for the good, Segal combines historical and anthropological data with insights gleaned from religious and philosophical writings to explain the following mysteries: why the Egyptians insisted on an afterlife in heaven, while the body was embalmed in a tomb on earth; why the Babylonians viewed the dead as living in underground prisons; why the Hebrews remained silent about life after death during the period of the First Temple, yet embraced it in the Second Temple period (534 B.C.E. –70 C.E.); and why Christianity placed the afterlife in the center of its belief system. He discusses the inner dialogues and arguments within Judaism and Christianity, showing the underlying dynamic behind them, as well as the ideas that mark the differences between the two religions. In a thoughtful examination of the influence of biblical views of heaven and martyrdom on Islamic beliefs, he offers a fascinating perspective on the current troubling rise of Islamic fundamentalism.
In tracing the organic, historical relationships between sacred texts and communities of belief and comparing the visions of life after death that have emerged throughout history, Segal sheds a bright, revealing light on the intimate connections between notions of the afterlife, the societies that produced them, and the individual’s search for the ultimate meaning of life on earth.
In a masterful exploration of how Western civilizations have defined the afterlife, Alan F. Segal weaves together biblical and literary scholarship, sociology, history, and philosophy. A renowned scholar, Segal examines the maps of the afterlife found in Western religious texts and reveals not only what various cultures believed but how their notions reflected their societies’ realities and ideals, and why those beliefs changed over time. He maintains that the afterlife is the mirror in which a society arranges its concept of the self. The composition process for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam begins in grief and ends in the victory of the self over death.
Arguing that in every religious tradition the afterlife represents the ultimate reward for the good, Segal combines historical and anthropological data with insights gleaned from religious and philosophical writings to explain the following mysteries: why the Egyptians insisted on an afterlife in heaven, while the body was embalmed in a tomb on earth; why the Babylonians viewed the dead as living in underground prisons; why the Hebrews remained silent about life after death during the period of the First Temple, yet embraced it in the Second Temple period (534 B.C.E. –70 C.E.); and why Christianity placed the afterlife in the center of its belief system. He discusses the inner dialogues and arguments within Judaism and Christianity, showing the underlying dynamic behind them, as well as the ideas that mark the differences between the two religions. In a thoughtful examination of the influence of biblical views of heaven and martyrdom on Islamic beliefs, he offers a fascinating perspective on the current troubling rise of Islamic fundamentalism.
In tracing the organic, historical relationships between sacred texts and communities of belief and comparing the visions of life after death that have emerged throughout history, Segal sheds a bright, revealing light on the intimate connections between notions of the afterlife, the societies that produced them, and the individual’s search for the ultimate meaning of life on earth.
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DESERVEDLY OR NOT, ancient Egypt is known as a culture obsessed by the afterlife. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
DESERVEDLY OR NOT, ancient Egypt is known as a culture obsessed by the afterlife. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is an astonishing and monumental work. Alan Segal is a respected Biblical Theologian from a Jewish background. Some knowledge of his previous publications is useful as one can observe the author's own progress of thought here. This book moves into wider sociological arenas of religious discussion as much as theological reflection. Starting in Egypt circa 3000 years BC(E) where a doctrine of Resurrection surrounded the Pharaohs and was gradually "democratised" through the aristocracy and on towards the wider population, Segal begins his thesis that Resurrection and Afterlife doctrines cannot be divided from political interests. In Egypt the eternal good of the people was inextricably united with the everlasting life of the king(s). Moving on, in Canaanite religion where afterlife themes are more closely interwoven with agricultural rhythms and seasons Segal identifies the dominating tradition of the dying and rising god "EL" (Those dodgy "Ba-Els" of Hebrew Scripture) which perhaps prefigure Christianity. Then onwards again through Post Exilic 2nd Temple Israel, whereas afterlife themes are hard to come by in early Judaism and the main body of Hebrew Scripture, we begin to discover a developing Israelite tradition that is now touched by Babylonian Mythology such as the Epic of Gilgamesh and further astrological themes borrowed from Mesopotamian religion. Now "The Wise" (recipients of Wisdom) begin to shine like stars and eventually rise to become heavenly luminaries (as in Daniel 12). Thus we move on again towards later apocalyptic Jewish/Christian Themes seen in such texts as the deutero canonical writings of the Catholic Canon and additional texts such as Enoch. Now we are introduced to "Angelification" themes such as witnessed at Qumran and in early Christian Encratic traditions. From here Segal moves towards a discussion of bodily resurrection (Jesus and the empty tomb etc) vis a vis immortality of the soul as borrowed from Greek philosophy especially Plato, and the uneasiness with which Christianity endeavors to amalgamate the two. Paul is examined as having a disproportionate influence on early Christianity (at least in the mind of the author) and as someone who was essentially a preacher of a revised type of Jewish Apocalypticism. Paul's conversion event (based on an interpretation of 2Cor12?) is a thought provoking discussion which many Christians may find challenging, but other apostolic traditions are too quickly brushed aside. Finally on to Islamic resurrection concepts and the effects of religion in the modern world especially when linked to concepts of martyrdom. Segal seems to have arrived at his own point of Jewish agnosticism which is unfortunate. It is sad when theology becomes simply the vehicle for professionals to make a living out of religion from the safe detachment of academic social observation. The writer seems to deny any ingredient of revelation in any sacred text or tradition, reducing them all to inter-related socio literary products reflecting certain times and cultural/political events rooted in the interconnected histories of the middle east. Nevertheless the reader is taken on a profound and rewarding journey which takes some courage and perseverance to complete. One suspects that Segal's own spiritual journey is not yet complete. Perhaps after this journey he needs to take a rest but the reader may await his next publication with interest. From here it is refreshing to turn to Pope Benedict's new publication "Jesus of Nazareth" to find a solid expression of modern critical theology working hand in hand with 21st Century Christian Sprituality and faith.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
12 reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
A Weighty Tome
22 Sep 2005
Format:Hardcover
Alan F. Segal's book "Life After Death" is my first read of his work, and certainly the most massive book I have read in some time. Considering the sheer scope of the topic Segal has attempted to cover, the size of the book should come as no surprise. However, the physical weight is where the "weightiness" ends.
Now, before you freak out about over 700 pages of text on life after death, it should be emphasised that Segal writes in a very accessible and easy going manner. A few of the words he uses require a dictionary, (at least, I needed one), but the incidence of this was not a burden. Segal keeps you moving and presents a great level of quotation from ancient sources to highlight his points. His manner and style of presentation and discussion are absolutely fantastic.
Segal presents the beliefs of different cultures from a more social viewpoint than anything, and deals with how these beliefs can illustrate what the people thought of about themselves and the world about them. What you end up with is a very interesting discussion not just on life after death, but also some of the political, cultural and social concerns that went into them. This makes for a very well-rounded discussion.
Segal takes you through various cultures and civilisations, and throughout he inter-connects various ideas between them to show how they illustrate each other by contrast or simularity. These cultures include chapters on Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Canaan, Israelite, (broken into various chapters), and much more, including detailed chapters on Christian views and their development through the centuries.
This book is really a great overview of the topic, and it is relatively easy to find from Segal's referencing further material for more specific reading. Segal has done exceptionally well to squeeze such a vast topic into about 750 well-written and dynamic pages.
This book gets a big "thumbs-up" from me. I will certainly be reading more of Segal's work in the future.
Now, before you freak out about over 700 pages of text on life after death, it should be emphasised that Segal writes in a very accessible and easy going manner. A few of the words he uses require a dictionary, (at least, I needed one), but the incidence of this was not a burden. Segal keeps you moving and presents a great level of quotation from ancient sources to highlight his points. His manner and style of presentation and discussion are absolutely fantastic.
Segal presents the beliefs of different cultures from a more social viewpoint than anything, and deals with how these beliefs can illustrate what the people thought of about themselves and the world about them. What you end up with is a very interesting discussion not just on life after death, but also some of the political, cultural and social concerns that went into them. This makes for a very well-rounded discussion.
Segal takes you through various cultures and civilisations, and throughout he inter-connects various ideas between them to show how they illustrate each other by contrast or simularity. These cultures include chapters on Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Canaan, Israelite, (broken into various chapters), and much more, including detailed chapters on Christian views and their development through the centuries.
This book is really a great overview of the topic, and it is relatively easy to find from Segal's referencing further material for more specific reading. Segal has done exceptionally well to squeeze such a vast topic into about 750 well-written and dynamic pages.
This book gets a big "thumbs-up" from me. I will certainly be reading more of Segal's work in the future.
31 of 37 people found the following review helpful
A Tour De Force On The Hereafter In Western Religion
17 July 2004
Format:Hardcover
Alan Segal's tour de force is in the French tradition of the "longue duree" approach to social history. "Life After Death" follows the late Phillippe Aries's magisterial "The Hour Of Our Death" back in the 1980s but where it differs from its predecessor is its not concerned so much with the "ars moriendi," the so called art of dying as it is with how Western religions and philosophies have dealt with the hereafter down through the ages. At nearly 800 pages its an exhaustive treatment on a subject people have speculated on since the dawn of civilization and when you finish it, its clear most of mankind will never be reconciled to the notion this life is all there is. Highly recommended reading.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Exhaustive Coverage of Jewish, Christian, Islamic Views
9 Nov 2004
Format:Hardcover
Humans are, so far as we know, the only animal that concerns itself with what happens to us after we die. We don't even like to use the word die, we say passed away, crossed the river Jordan, or other terms. ==A major aspect of western religion is defining life after death. And in this monumental work, the origin and evolution of afterlife thoughts are traced. He begins with the Egyptions, where a life after death theology began to be developed. He thoroughly examines other early cultures such as Mesopotamia, Canaan, Greece, etc.
Finally he gets into the big three of western religions, first he covers Jewish views (Dr. Segal is a professor of Jewish studies at Columbia). Christian views come largely from Paul (Dr. Segal wrote a definitive book on Paul.) and the Gospels. For Islam, of course the Qur'an and some of the more modern writings are used.
In spite of the books large size (about 730 pages of text plus 150 pages of notes) it is fascinating enough and well written enough that it is relatively easy reading.
Finally he gets into the big three of western religions, first he covers Jewish views (Dr. Segal is a professor of Jewish studies at Columbia). Christian views come largely from Paul (Dr. Segal wrote a definitive book on Paul.) and the Gospels. For Islam, of course the Qur'an and some of the more modern writings are used.
In spite of the books large size (about 730 pages of text plus 150 pages of notes) it is fascinating enough and well written enough that it is relatively easy reading.
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