The Cultic Origins of Christianity: The Dynamics of Religious Development

by Meissner, W. W.

• ISBN13: 9780814650769
• ISBN10: 0814650767
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-05-01
• Publisher: Liturgical Pr

Author Biography

W. W. Meissner is the Training and Supervising Analyst, Boston Psychoanalytic Institute, and University Professor of Psychoanalysis, Boston College.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Prelude: A Note on Methodology	xvii
Questions	xvii
The Nature of Paranoia	xvii
Paranoia---from Pathology to Process	xix
The Concept of Process	xxi
Extension of the Paranoid Process	xxii
Relation of Socio-cultural Analysis to Psychoanalysis---Social Structures and Processes	xxiv
Social Prejudice	xxvii
Application to the Religious Sphere	xxix
SECTION I Introduction
The Paranoid Process	3	(21)
Introduction	3	(1)
Schreber Case	4	(2)
The Projective System	6	(3)
Paranoid Process	9	(1)
Mechanisms of the Paranoid Process	9	(7)
Introjection	10	(3)
Projection	13	(2)
Paranoid Construction	15	(1)
Developmental Aspects	16	(4)
Development in Groups	20	(4)
The Cultic Process	24	(25)
Dynamics	24	(1)
The Role of the Paranoid Process	25	(2)
Nature of the Cultic Process	27	(3)
Role of the Cultic Process	30	(1)
Cult Characteristics	31	(2)
Sects and Cults	33	(4)
Social Environment	37	(2)
Ideology	39	(2)
Patterns of Change	41	(1)
The Internal Structure of Sects and Cults	42	(2)
The Degree of Separateness from the World	42	(1)
Coherence of Sect Values	43	(1)
Group Commitments	43	(1)
The Cultic Process vs. Cultic Processes	44	(5)
SECTION II Pre-Christian Context
Pre-Christian Origins---Historical and Sociological Background	49	(15)
Palestinian Background	49	(2)
Economic Crisis	51	(1)
Oppression and Banditry	52	(1)
Early Christianity	53	(1)
Wandering Charismatics	54	(2)
Social Conditions	56	(1)
Critique	57	(1)
Social Deterioration	58	(1)
Social Protest	59	(1)
Messianic Revolt	60	(2)
The Cultic Process	62	(2)
Pre-Christian Origins---Religious Background	64	(11)
Apocalyptic Expectations	64	(1)
The Context	64	(1)
The Cultic Process	65	(1)
Religious Movements	66	(9)
Sadducees	67	(1)
Pharisees	68	(1)
Zealots	69	(2)
Essenes	71	(2)
Religious Ideas	73	(2)
Sectarian Influences	75	(14)
The Zealot Connection	75	(2)
Jesus and the Zealots	77	(5)
The Essene Connection	82	(3)
Qumran and the New Testament	85	(4)
The Cultic Origins of Christianity	89	(14)
Implications for the Cultic Origins of Christianity	89	(2)
Opposition of the Scribes and Pharisees	91	(4)
The Cultic Process	95	(2)
Psychodynamic Roots	97	(6)
SECTION III Early Christianity
Cultic Elements in Early Christianity	103	(18)
Introduction	103	(1)
Sectarian Tendencies	104	(2)
Social Defenses	106	(3)
The Historical Context	109	(1)
Sociological Factors	109	(1)
Early Catholicism	110	(2)
Antioch and Jerusalem	112	(1)
Contending Groups	113	(3)
The Church at Antioch	116	(1)
After the Destruction of Jerusalem	117	(1)
The Second Century	118	(3)
Corinth and Rome	121	(12)
Corinth	121	(1)
Social Stratification	122	(2)
Paul's Mediation	124	(3)
Rome	127	(1)
Petrine and Pauline Traditions	127	(1)
The Political Situation	128	(1)
Clement of Rome's Letter	129	(1)
From Jerusalem to Rome	130	(3)
Early Christianity---The Johannine Community	133	(16)
Gospel Origins	133	(1)
Essene and Gnostic Connections	134	(2)
Development	136	(1)
Sectarian Tendencies	137	(5)
The Cultic Process	142	(1)
Cultic Variants	143	(6)
SECTION IV Gnosticism
Pre-Christian Gnosticism	149	(14)
Origins	149	(3)
Definition	152	(2)
Gnostic Themes	154	(2)
Dualism	154	(1)
Evil	155	(1)
Jewish Gnosticism	156	(1)
Jewish Apocalyptic	157	(2)
Gnosticism and the Old Testament	159	(1)
Gnosticism and Heterodox Judaism	160	(3)
Gnosticism in Christianity	163	(19)
Introduction	163	(2)
Christian Gnosticism	165	(1)
Gnosticism in the New Testament	166	(8)
Paul	166	(5)
John	171	(3)
Christianity versus Gnosticism	174	(2)
Clement of Alexandria	175	(1)
Origen	175	(1)
Conflict Between Gnosticism and Christianity	176	(3)
Polemics	179	(1)
Decline	180	(2)
The Gnostic Phenomenon and the Cultic Process	182	(21)
The Cultic Process	182	(1)
Cult Organization	183	(3)
Sectarianism	186	(1)
Antinomianism and Persecution	187	(3)
Ideologies in Conflict	190	(2)
Gnostic Mythology	192	(1)
Psychodynamic Aspects	193	(2)
Aggression	195	(2)
Narcissism	197	(6)
SECTION V Psychoanalytic Perspectives on the Cultic Process
Cult Characteristics and Dynamics	203	(25)
Introduction	203	(1)
Cult Characteristics	204	(1)
Origins	205	(1)
Psychological Components	206	(3)
Group Adherence	209	(3)
Ideology	212	(2)
The Charismatic Leader	214	(2)
Rise of the Leader	216	(2)
Psychopathological Model	218	(2)
Narcissism	220	(2)
Charisma	222	(2)
Interactional Model	224	(2)
Paranoid Potential	226	(2)
The Cultic Process and the Paranoid Process	228	(15)
Relation to Belief Systems	228	(2)
Ambivalence	230	(1)
Group Formation	231	(2)
Need for the Enemy	233	(4)
Sense of Self	237	(2)
Paranoid Mechanisms	239	(1)
From Psychodynamics to Social Reality	240	(3)
References	243	(14)
Index	257