The Laying on of Hands in the New Testament: Its Significance, Techniques, and Effects Hardcover – December 3, 2008

Great book from a great man whom I know personally.

This is the most comprehensive book on the significance of the use of the hands in scripture and its embedded historical contexts that I have seen. It does not simply address the New Testament, as it does a thorough examination of the Old Testament as well as a moderate examination of the Graeco-Roman world. Working intimately with the Hebrew and Greek languages, the historical contexts, and any relevant scholars (taking on big names including Martin Marty and James Dunn), Tipei provides an exhaustive resource of this physical gesture weaved throughout the Bible.I was surprised to find this work incredibly relevant and helpful (for me) to the subject of atonement, as Tipei engages the angles on why the priests would lay their hands on their sacrificial animals. Also, the influence of pagan religion/culture upon ancient Judaism and Christianity must be confronted while reading this book. Finally, on perhaps a more personal or "mystical" note, I was deeply reminded of the importance of physical embodiment of worship rites for the Hebrew people in the absence of the strictly cognitive spirituality we so often propagate in today's world.Many parts I skimmed through, but I'm glad to have this one on my shelf as a resource for future biblical research.