Desiring Divinity Self-deification in Early Jewish and Christian Mythmaking

M. David Litwa earned his Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of Virginia (2013). He has taught in the Classics departments of the University of Virginia and the College of William & Mary. His most recent books include Iesus Deus: The Early Christian Depiction of Jesus as a Mediterranean God (2014) and a new edition of the Refutation of all Heresies: Text, Translation, and Notes (2015).

Introduction: Types of Self-deification Mythology

PART I: The Self-deifying Rebel

Chapter 1 "I am a God." The Primal Human as Primeval Self-deifier
Chapter 2 "I Will Be Like the Most High!" The Self-deification of Helel
Chapter 3 "I am God and there is No Other!" The Boast of Yaldabaoth

PART II: The Self-deifying Hero

Chapter 4 "I and the Father are One." The Self-deification of Jesus in John
Chapter 5 "I and You are One." Simon of Samaria as Hero and Heretic
Chapter 6 "I Became Divine." Allogenes and Gnostic Self-deification

Conclusion The Many Myths of Self-deification