Ritual Dynamic Structure

by Roy E. Gane

Scientific study of rituals requires an understanding of their nature. As perceived by H. Hubert and M. Mauss (Essai sur la nature et la fonction du sacrifice, 1898), a basic aspect of the nature of sacrificial ritual is its dynamic structure. The present work takes up the neglected quest for a theory of ritual and methodology of analysis that recognize and trace the contours of ritual dynamic structure.

398 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Roy E. Gane, originally from Australia, is Professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Languages at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University (Berrien Springs, Michigan). He earned his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in biblical Hebrew language and literature at the University of California, Berkeley. He has been at Andrews University since 1994 after teaching in the Religion Department of Pacific Union College from 1992 to 1994. He served as President of the Adventist Theological Society 2009-10. He has given presentations on six continents at events such as scholarly conferences, camp meetings, pastors’ meetings, and Bible conferences. Gane has published numerous journal articles and book chapters on the Bible, Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guides on Judges and Isaiah, and he was the primary translator for the Leviticus portion of the Common English Bible.