Table of Contents

AcknowledgmentsAbbreviationsIntroduction: Origin Stories as Authorizing Discourse3Ch. 1Tracing Procreation: The Origins of Origin Stories21Ch. 2The Social Force of Metaphors for Procreation32Ch. 3Sowing Knowledge: Procreation and Pedagogy50Ch. 4Defending Teaching Methods with Procreative Language69Ch. 5"Few Are Like Their Fathers": The Rhetoric of Genealogy and Intra-Christian Polemic79Ch. 6Allegiance to the "True Father": Kinship Metaphors as Border Discourse95Ch. 7A Rhetoric of Christian Unity: Christians as Children of the Father of All107Ch. 8Paideia and the Paidagogos119Ch. 9Perfect Children: Drinking the Logos-Milk of Christ131Ch. 10"The Milk of the Father": "Only Those Who Suckle This Breast Are Truly Blessed"149Conclusion: Reflections on the Future of Origin Stories180Select Bibliography185Index of Ancient Passages Cited205General Index215

Promotional Information

A very well-conceived and well-executed project. This groundbreaking and elegantly argued book will make a crucial contribution to interdisciplinary discussions in early Christian studies, ancient studies, and gender studies. -- Elizabeth A. Castelli, Barnard College Buell's scholarship meets the highest standards of excellence; the study is thorough and methodologically sound and sophisticated. The insights are many and substantial. -- Karen L. King, Harvard Divinity School

About the Author

Denise Kimber Buell is Assistant Professor of Religion at Williams College.

Reviews

"A very well-conceived and well-executed project. This groundbreaking and elegantly argued book will make a crucial contribution to interdisciplinary discussions in early Christian studies, ancient studies, and gender studies."—Elizabeth A. Castelli, Barnard College

"Buell's scholarship meets the highest standards of excellence; the study is thorough and methodologically sound and sophisticated. The insights are many and substantial."—Karen L. King, Harvard Divinity School