1st Edition The Nature and Function of Priesthood by E. O. James Hardback with Dust Jacket 1955

The Nature and Function of Priesthood by E. O. James
Published by E. O. James in England with Barnes and Noble Publisher's label on title page, 
Original English Dust Jacket, lower corner on inside flap has price clip. 
Year: 1955

From a book review by By W. A. Jurgens.

"The former professor of the history and philosophy of religion in the University of London offers in The Nature and Function of the Priesthood the result of twenty years' gathering of material on a subject of considerable importance to contemporary society. Dr James remarks that since the appearance of the late Buchanan Gray's Sacri- and function of the institution (priesthood) as an integral element in social structure". As we have come to expect from Dr James, the subject is not dealt with simply in general terms, but with extensive data drawn from the ancient world, from modern primitives and from the history of the great living religions, including Christianity; and his treatment has his characteristic lucidity. A glance at the table of contents indi- cates the compression which the author has brought to bear on this vast field in just over 300 pages. A full index and over twenty pages of tilar aphic which he will enable the read euro in detap any Specialists in the study of primitive peoples will tind here an ample survey of magico-religious practice in such society. Those con- cerned with Egyptian, Mesopotamian and Old Testament studies will likewise find an interpretation of the role of seer and diviner, king, prophet and priest in the civilizations of the ancient Near East, on the lines of the so-called Myth and Ritual School, of which Dr James was a leading exponent a generation ago. The more philosophically minded lawyer will also be interested in the function of the priesthood in the evolution of law. And the Christian Theologian, particularly if concerned with sacramentalism and penance, will find in chapter 5 an historic assessment of the place of the priest in the development of the Christian Church. There is no doubt that in this book we have a masterly assembling of data, which makes it at the least an invaluable work of reference."

Condition: very fine with tight and secure binding with minimal signs of use. No damage inside. Dust Jacket has mark of The Vanguard Press on the bottom of the spine's DJ. Light fade and faint soil to the spine. DJ is in protective mylar cover. Please see the images for more details. 

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