DOCSLIB.ORG

Biblical Sources in the Development of the Concept of the Soul in the Writings of the Fathers of the Early Christian Church, 100-325 C.E

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Biblical Sources in the Development of the Concept of the Soul in the Writings of the Fathers of the Early Christian Church, 100-325 C.E Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2011 Biblical Sources in the Development of the Concept of the Soul in the Writings of the Fathers of the Early Christian church, 100-325 C.E. Thomas W. Toews Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, History of Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Toews, Thomas W., "Biblical Sources in the Development of the Concept of the Soul in the Writings of the Fathers of the Early Christian church, 100-325 C.E." (2011). Dissertations. 156. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/156 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. Please honor the copyright of this document by not duplicating or distributing additional copies in any form without the author’s express written permission. Thanks for your cooperation. ABSTRACT BIBLICAL SOURCES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONCEPT OF THE SOUL IN THE WRITINGS OF THE FATHERS OF THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 100-325 C.E. by Thomas W. Toews Adviser: Denis Fortin ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: BIBLICAL SOURCES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONCEPT OF THE SOUL IN THE WRITINGS OF THE FATHERS OF THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 100-325 C.E. Name of researcher: Thomas W. Toews Name and degree of faculty adviser: Denis Fortin, Ph.D. Date completed: September 2011 The topic of the human soul has seen renewed interest in recent years. Studies have been produced that have looked at the soul in light of modern science and medicine along with a continued focus on the thoughts of the ancients on this topic. The early Church Fathers played an important role in mediating the thoughts of the ancients to more recent times. Because of this role, it is important to understand what function the Scriptures had as a source of authority in this process. In light of this, the following study researches and analyzes the usage of the two key soul words, ψυχή and anima in the writings of the early Church Fathers. Their semantic range and the understanding of the powers and activities of the soul are studied. Following this background examination, the study then looks at the role of Scripture as an authoritative source for the early Church Fathers in the development of this doctrine. The results of this study highlight the prevalent usage of Scripture and scriptural themes in defining the doctrine of the soul. Ideas such as the soul coming from the breath of God (Gen 2:7) and creation in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27) provide a foundation for discussing the origins of the soul. In looking at the state of the soul after the death of the body, the early Church Fathers repeatedly look to the scriptural notion of a future judgment to defend the necessity of an immortal soul. This is an important discovery as it is often argued that the concept of an immortal soul comes to the early Church Fathers only from Greek philosophy. The impact of the philosophical thinking prevalent in the context in which the early Church Fathers lived and wrote can be seen in the similarities of the semantic usage of the terms ψυχή and anima. However, this study has demonstrated the necessity of noting closely the usage of their normative writings, the Scriptures, to more clearly understand the foundation of their teaching on nascent church doctrine. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary BIBLICAL SOURCES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONCEPT OF THE SOUL IN THE WRITINGS OF THE FATHERS OF THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 100-325 C.E. A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Thomas W. Toews September 2011 © Copyright by Thomas W. Toews 2011 All Rights Reserved BIBLICAL SOURCES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONCEPT OF THE SOUL IN THE WRITINGS OF THE FATHERS OF THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 100-325 C.E. A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by Thomas W. Toews APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE _______________________________ _______________________________ Faculty Adviser, Director of Ph.D./Th.D. Program Denis Fortin Thomas Shepherd Professor of Theology _______________________________ _______________________________ Miroslav Kiš Dean, SDA Theological Seminary Professor of Theology Denis Fortin _______________________________ Fernando Canale Professor of Theology _______________________________ John Reeve Assistant Professor of Church History _______________________________ _______________________________ George Kalantzis Date approved Associate Professor of Theology Wheaton College To my father, who sent a farm boy to the university TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................ viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................................. x Chapter I. INTRODUCTION................................... 1 The Problem.................................... 4 Purpose of Study................................. 6 Justification for the Research.......................... 7 Scope and Delimitations............................. 9 Apostolic Fathers............................... 10 Greek Ante-Nicene Fathers......................... 10 Latin Ante-Nicene Fathers......................... 11 Methodology.................................... 11 II. BACKGROUND CONCEPTS OF THE SOUL .................. 14 Soul in the Hebrew Bible............................ 15 Soul in Greek and Roman Thought....................... 22 Homer and Hesiod.............................. 23 Orphism.................................... 29 Pythagoras................................... 33 Pre-Socratic Thought ............................ 35 Poets...................................... 37 Plato...................................... 39 Aristotle.................................... 47 Epicurean and Stoic Thought ........................ 48 Neo-Platonism................................ 51 Intertestamental Judaism............................. 53 New Testament Writings............................. 57 Conclusion..................................... 61 III. THE APOSTOLIC FATHERS ............................ 64 Clement of Rome................................. 64 Usage of Psyche ............................... 65 Doctrinal Teaching and Usage of Scriptural Sources.......... 66 Ignatius....................................... 67 Usage of Psyche ............................... 68 Doctrinal Teaching and Usage of Scriptural Sources.......... 68 Barnabas...................................... 69 iv Usage of Psyche ............................... 69 Doctrinal Teaching and Usage of Scriptural Sources.......... 71 Shepherd of Hermas ............................... 72 Usage of Psyche ............................... 73 Doctrinal Teaching and Usage of Scriptural Sources.......... 76 Didache....................................... 77 Usage of Psyche ............................... 77 Doctrinal Teaching and Usage of Scriptural Sources.......... 78 Epistle to Diognetus ............................... 79 Usage of Psyche ............................... 79 Doctrinal Teaching and Usage of Scriptural Sources.......... 81 Conclusion..................................... 83 IV. JUSTIN MARTYR TO MELITO OF SARDIS.................. 84 Justin Martyr.................................... 84 Usage of Psyche ............................... 85 Doctrinal Teaching and Usage of Scriptural Sources.......... 87 Summary.................................... 99 Tatian........................................ 99 Usage of Psyche ............................... 100 Doctrinal Teaching and Usage of Scriptural Sources.......... 101 Summary.................................... 108 Theophilus..................................... 108 Usage of Psyche ............................... 109 Doctrinal Teaching and Usage of Scriptural Sources.......... 110 Summary.................................... 113 Athenagoras.................................... 114 Usage of Psyche ............................... 114 Doctrinal Teaching and Usage of Scriptural Sources.......... 119 Summary.................................... 129 Melito of Sardis.................................. 130 Usage of Psyche ............................... 130 Doctrinal Teaching and Usage of Scriptural Sources.......... 130 Summary.................................... 132 Conclusion..................................... 132 V. IRENAEUS, CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA, AND HIPPOLYTUS..... 134 Irenaeus....................................... 134 Usage of Anima................................ 135 General Usage.............................. 135 Powers of the Soul........................... 136 Doctrinal Teaching and Usage of Scriptural Sources.......... 140 Origin of the Soul............................ 141 The Human Person and the Soul................... 141 Immortality and the Soul........................ 149 Death, Judgment and the Soul..................... 155 Hell and Paradise............................ 157 Summary.................................... 160 v Clement of Alexandria.............................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Gnostic Myth of Sophia in Dark City (1998) Fryderyk Kwiatkowski Jagiellonian University in Kraków, [email protected]
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by The University of Nebraska, Omaha Journal of Religion & Film Volume 21 Article 34 Issue 1 April 2017 4-1-2017 How To Attain Liberation From a False World? The Gnostic Myth of Sophia in Dark City (1998) Fryderyk Kwiatkowski Jagiellonian University in Kraków, [email protected] Recommended Citation Kwiatkowski, Fryderyk (2017) "How To Attain Liberation From a False World? The Gnostic Myth of Sophia in Dark City (1998)," Journal of Religion & Film: Vol. 21 : Iss. 1 , Article 34. Available at: https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/jrf/vol21/iss1/34 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UNO. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of Religion & Film by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@UNO. For more information, please contact [email protected]. How To Attain Liberation From a False World? The Gnostic Myth of Sophia in Dark City (1998) Abstract In the second half of the 20th century, a fascinating revival of ancient Gnostic ideas in American popular culture could be observed. One of the major streams through which Gnostic ideas are transmitted is Hollywood cinema. Many works that emerged at the end of 1990s can be viewed through the ideas of ancient Gnostic systems: The Truman Show (1998), The Thirteenth Floor (1999), The Others (2001), Vanilla Sky (2001) or The Matrix trilogy (1999-2003). In this article, the author analyses Dark City (1998) and demonstrates that the story depicted in the film is heavily indebted to the Gnostic myth of Sophia.
    [Show full text]
  • The Protrepticus of Clement of Alexandria: a Commentary
    Miguel Herrero de Jáuregui THE PROTREPTICUS OF CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: A COMMENTARY to; ga;r yeu'do" ouj yilh'/ th'/ paraqevsei tajlhqou'" diaskedavnnutai, th'/ de; crhvsei th'" ajlhqeiva" ejkbiazovmenon fugadeuvetai. La falsedad no se dispersa por la simple comparación con la verdad, sino que la práctica de la verdad la fuerza a huir. Protréptico 8.77.3 PREFACIO Una tesis doctoral debe tratar de contribuir al avance del conocimiento humano en su disciplina, y la pretensión de que este comentario al Protréptico tenga la máxima utilidad posible me obliga a escribirla en inglés porque es la única lengua que hoy casi todos los interesados pueden leer. Pero no deja de ser extraño que en la casa de Nebrija se deje de lado la lengua castellana. La deuda que contraigo ahora con el español sólo se paliará si en el futuro puedo, en compensación, “dar a los hombres de mi lengua obras en que mejor puedan emplear su ocio”. Empiezo ahora a saldarla, empleándola para estos agradecimientos, breves en extensión pero no en sinceridad. Mi gratitud va, en primer lugar, al Cardenal Don Gil Álvarez de Albornoz, fundador del Real Colegio de España, a cuya generosidad y previsión debo dos años provechosos y felices en Bolonia. Al Rector, José Guillermo García-Valdecasas, que administra la herencia de Albornoz con ejemplar dedicación, eficacia y amor a la casa. A todas las personas que trabajan en el Colegio y hacen que cumpla con creces los objetivos para los que se fundó. Y a mis compañeros bolonios durante estos dos años. Ha sido un honor muy grato disfrutar con todos ellos de la herencia albornociana.
    [Show full text]
  • Jerome's Women Creating Identity and Fashioning Scholars
    Jerome’s Women Creating Identity and Fashioning Scholars Judith Margaret Nichols, M.LITT., B.A., GRAD.DIP.TESL. This Thesis is presented for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Western Australia School of Humanities Classics and Ancient History 2014 i Preface Jerome’s writings first came to my attention as an undergraduate. I was attracted by the vividness of his writing but puzzled that the female recipients of his correspondence tolerated such a vain, irascible and misogynistic mentor. I took my initial, tentative thesis to Dr Neil O’Sullivan, Discipline Chair of Classics and Ancient History at the University of Western Australia and Dr Michael Champion who listened patiently and encouraged me to persevere with a doctoral thesis. I am grateful to both men for their advice and suggestions in shaping this work. Dr O’Sullivan’s command of the classics pointed me in new and interesting directions. Dr Champion was extremely forbearing in listening to every new idea, commenting helpfully on successive drafts and making mentoring sessions enjoyable. I would also like to acknowledge the loving support of my husband, Tony, and our four adult children who have encouraged me and accepted my preoccupation without reproach. The translations in the thesis are my own, except where otherwise acknowledged. Translations of certain commentators have been included as reference points to my own and I have indicated where my interpretations differ from theirs. The standard unpunctuated Vulgate is among the texts that I regard as significant. ii iii Abstract This thesis studies the creation of identities and the role women play in Jerome’s socio-political, scholarly and eschatologically-oriented theology for Rome.
    [Show full text]
  • Theories of Sacrifice and Ritual
    UC Davis UC Davis Previously Published Works Title Inventing the Scapegoat: Theories of Sacrifice and Ritual Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/055689pg Journal Journal of Ritual Studies, 25(1) Author Janowitz, Naomi Publication Date 2011 Peer reviewed eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California Inventing the Scapegoat: Theories of Sacrifice and Ritual No figure appears in studies of sacrifice more often than the scapegoat. Numerous societies, the argument goes, have a seemingly innate need to purge sins via an innocent victim. The killing of this victim constitutes the core of sacrifice traditions; explaining the efficacy of these rites outlines in turn the inner workings of all sacrifices, if not all rituals. I do not believe, however, that the enigmatic figure of the scapegoat can support a universal theory of sacrifice, especially if the general term “scapegoat” turns out refer to a variety of rituals with very different goals. Rene Girard’s extremely influential theory of the scapegoat includes a biological basis for the importance of the figure (Girard, 1977). According to Girard, humans are naturally aggressive, a la Konrad Lorenz. This innate aggression was channeled into an unending series of attacks and counterattacks during the earliest periods of history. A better outlet for aggression was to find a scapegoat whose death would stop the cycle of retribution (p. 2). For Girard, Oedipus was a human scapegoat, placing this model 2 at the center of Greek culture in addition to Biblical religious traditions (p. 72). Jonathan Smith’s observations on Girard’s model in “The Domestication of Sacrifice” are both simple and devastating (1987).
    [Show full text]
  • Creation and God As One, Creator, and Trinity in Early Theology Through Augustine and Its Theological Fruitfulness in the 21St Century
    Creation and God as One, Creator, and Trinity in Early Theology through Augustine and Its Theological Fruitfulness in the 21st Century Submitted by Jane Ellingwood to the University of Exeter as a dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology in September 2015 This dissertation is available for Library use on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the dissertation may be published without proper acknowledgement. I certify that all material in this dissertation which is not my own work has been identified and that no material has previously been submitted and approved for the award of a degree by this or any other University. Signature: _________Jane Ellingwood _________________________ 2 Abstract My primary argument in this thesis is that creation theologies significantly influenced early developments in the doctrine of the Trinity, especially in Augustine of Hippo’s theology. Thus this is a work of historical theology, but I conclude with proposals for how Augustine’s theologies of creation and the Trinity can be read fruitfully with modern theology. I critically analyse developments in trinitarian theologies in light of ideas that were held about creation. These include the doctrine of creation ‘out of nothing’ and ideas about other creative acts (e.g., forming or fashioning things). Irenaeus and other early theologians posited roles for God (the Father), the Word / Son, the Spirit, or Wisdom in creative acts without working out formal views on economic trinitarian acts. During the fourth century trinitarian controversies, creation ‘out of nothing’ and ideas about ‘modes of origin’ influenced thinking on consubstantiality and relations within the Trinity.
    [Show full text]
  • Issue 117 Test
    . it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace . Hebrews 13:9 Issue 117—May 2005 Inside this issue: The Sabbath—Part One The Sabbath—Part One 1 Lloyd Elias Scalyer Lloyd Elias Scalyer The Parable of the Two 1 Editor’s Note: In March 2003, we began a series on the Levitical feasts. Thus far, we have Trains—Part Three of looked at eight of the nine prescribed feasts: Passover, The Feast of Unleavened Bread, The Four Feast of Firstfruits, The Feast of Weeks, The Feast of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement, The Feast of Tabernacles, and Shemini Atzeret. This final article examines the Sabbath. As we Mark Webb stated in the note that accompanied the first article, the author’s intention, and ours, is that a Sainthood 3 better understanding of these feasts will increase our appreciation of God’s glorious provision of salvation through his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Additionally, we pray that it will please God to Mike McInnis equip us to use the Old Testament Scriptures to display Messiah to those of natural Israel that To Every Tribe 5 he is pleased to bring into our lives. Ministries Disagreements over the observance effect and we should celebrate it on Sat- David Harrell or the non-observance of the Sabbath urday. Some believe that since the New Do We Telegraph 7 have become an issue in the church and Covenant Scriptures do not repeat a Our Priorities? have caused many schisms, church splits command for its observance, the prac- Clyde F. Autio and name-calling in the body of Messiah, tice of keeping the Sabbath on Saturday for what seems like an eternity.
    [Show full text]
  • Jones, David Albert, the Soul of the Embryo
    J The Soul of the Embryo: An enquiry into the status of the human embryo in the Christian tradition DAVID ALBERT JONES • , continuum A LONDON • NEW YORK Continuum The Tower Building 15 East 26th Street 11 York Road New York London, SE1 7NX NY 10010 www.continuumbooks.com C) David Jones 2004 Contents All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data Abbreviations A catalogue record for this book is available from The British Library. Foreword ISBN 0 8264 6296 0 Introduction 1 Moulded in the Earth The embryo in the Hebrew Scriptures: creation, Typeset by BookEns Ltd, Royston, Herts. providence, calling Printed and hound in Great Britain by Antony Rowe Ltd, Chippenham, Wilts. 2 Curdled Like Cheese Ancient embryology: Hippocrates and Aristotle 3 Discarded Children • Exposure, infanticide and abortion in ancient Greece and Rome 4 Grieving in Ramah Jewish attitudes to infanticide and abortion 5 Medicinal Penalties Early Christianity and abortion: Celtic/Anglo-Saxon penances, Greek/Latin canons 6 Soul Talk Soul as the principle of life, body and soul, the I would like to thank Fr Michael Hayes, Head of the School of Theology, spiritual soul Philosophy and History at St Mary's College for supporting an ethos of research 7 Whence the Soul? and scholarship within the School; Robin Baird-Smith of Continuum books for The Church Fathers on the origin of the soul: his great patience; and the Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics for the use of pre-existence, traducianism, creationism their excellent library.
    [Show full text]
  • Gajah 35 (2011)
    NUMBER 35 2011 GAJAHJournal of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group GAJAH Journal of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group Number 35 (2011) The journal is intended as a medium of communication on issues that concern the management and conservation of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) both in the wild and in captivity. It is a means by which members of the AsESG and others can communicate their experiences, ideas and perceptions freely, so that the conservation of Asian elephants can benefit. All articles published in Gajah reflect the individual views of the authors and not necessarily that of the editorial board or the AsESG. The copyright of each article remains with the author(s). Editor Jayantha Jayewardene Biodiversity and Elephant Conservation Trust 615/32 Rajagiriya Gardens Nawala Road, Rajagiriya Sri Lanka [email protected] Editorial Board Dr. Richard Barnes Dr. Prithiviraj Fernando Ecology, Behavior & Evolution Section Centre for Conservation and Research Division of Biological Sciences MC-0116 35 Gunasekara Gardens University of California at San Diego Nawala Road La Jolla, CA 92093-0116 Rajagiriya USA Sri Lanka e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Dr. Jennifer Pastorini Heidi Riddle Centre for Conservation and Research Riddles Elephant & Wildlife Sanctuary 35 Gunasekara Gardens P.O.Box 715 Nawala Road, Rajagiriya Greenbrier, Arkansas 72058 Sri Lanka USA e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Dr. Alex Rübel Arnold Sitompul Direktor Zoo Zürich Conservation Science Initiative Zürichbergstrasse 221 Jl. Setia Budi Pasar 2 CH - 8044 Zürich Komp. Insan Cita Griya Blok CC No 5 Switzerland Medan, 20131 e-mail: [email protected] Indonesia e-mail:[email protected] GAJAH Journal of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group Number 35 (2011) This publication of Gajah was financed by the International Elephant Foundation Editorial Note Articles published in Gajah may be used, distributed and reproduced in any medium, provided the article is properly cited.
    [Show full text]
  • The Principal Works of St. Jerome by St
    NPNF2-06. Jerome: The Principal Works of St. Jerome by St. Jerome About NPNF2-06. Jerome: The Principal Works of St. Jerome by St. Jerome Title: NPNF2-06. Jerome: The Principal Works of St. Jerome URL: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf206.html Author(s): Jerome, St. Schaff, Philip (1819-1893) (Editor) Freemantle, M.A., The Hon. W.H. (Translator) Publisher: Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library Print Basis: New York: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1892 Source: Logos Inc. Rights: Public Domain Status: This volume has been carefully proofread and corrected. CCEL Subjects: All; Proofed; Early Church; LC Call no: BR60 LC Subjects: Christianity Early Christian Literature. Fathers of the Church, etc. NPNF2-06. Jerome: The Principal Works of St. Jerome St. Jerome Table of Contents About This Book. p. ii Title Page.. p. 1 Title Page.. p. 2 Translator©s Preface.. p. 3 Prolegomena to Jerome.. p. 4 Introductory.. p. 4 Contemporary History.. p. 4 Life of Jerome.. p. 10 The Writings of Jerome.. p. 22 Estimate of the Scope and Value of Jerome©s Writings.. p. 26 Character and Influence of Jerome.. p. 32 Chronological Tables of the Life and Times of St. Jerome A.D. 345-420.. p. 33 The Letters of St. Jerome.. p. 40 To Innocent.. p. 40 To Theodosius and the Rest of the Anchorites.. p. 44 To Rufinus the Monk.. p. 44 To Florentius.. p. 48 To Florentius.. p. 49 To Julian, a Deacon of Antioch.. p. 50 To Chromatius, Jovinus, and Eusebius.. p. 51 To Niceas, Sub-Deacon of Aquileia.
    [Show full text]
  • The Right to Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia
    THE RIGHT TO ASSISTED SUICIDE AND EUTHANASIA NEIL M. GORSUCH* I. INTRODUCTION ........................................................ 600 I. THE COURTS ............................................................. 606 A. The Washington Due Process Litigation............ 606 1. The Trial Court ...................... 606 2. The Ninth Circuit Panel Decision ............. 608 3. The En Banc Court ...................................... 609 B. The New York Equal ProtectionLitigation ........ 611 1. The Trial Court ........................................... 611 2. The Second Circuit ..................................... 612 C. The Supreme Court............................................. 613 1. The Majority Opinion ................................. 614 2. The Concurrences ....................................... 616 D. The Consequences ofGlucksberg and Quill .... 619 III. ARGUMENTS FROM HISTORY ................................... 620 A. Which History?................................................... 620 B. The Ancients ....................................................... 623 C. Early Christian Thinkers .................................... 627 D. English Common Law ......................................... 630 E. ColonialAmerican Experience........................... 631 F. The Modern Consensus: Suicide ........................ 633 G. The Modern Consensus: Assisting Suicide and Euthanasia.......................................................... 636 IV. ARGUMENTS FROM FAIRNESS .................................. 641 A . Causation...........................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Remembering Exile
    Chapter Six 6 Remembering Exile The ecclesiastical historians of the fifth century complicated the process of remem- bering clerical exile as they attempted to define the nature and purpose of Chris- tian flight in a post-Constantinian context. A fleeing bishop was hard to define, let alone defend. Eusebius of Nicomedia, whom we examined in some depth in the last chapter, must be (re)placed in the city from which he was exiled to condemn his flight and label him a heretic, while Athanasius of Alexandria was transferred to a recognizably orthodox space to confirm and defend his status as an ortho- dox hero. Our last case study turns to yet another man in flight, and one we have encountered before, by way of John Chrysostom. Meletius of Antioch is a par- ticularly difficult figure to define precisely because his status as an exile continues to slip beyond pro- or anti-Nicene categories of orthodoxy. He exists in a liminal space within the ecclesiastical histories of the fifth century. This almost-but-not- quite-orthodox figure therefore demonstrates how exile further destabilizes the orthodox project. In this final chapter, we will explore once again how the discourse of exile was used to remember and shape Nicene orthodoxy. And yet, this final bishop in flight had a conflicted legacy. We will then begin where we left off in the previous chap- ter and, here, examine Theodoret’s reconstruction of the Antiochene landscape. In this examination, however, we will pay attention not to the invading bishop, but to Antioch’s thrice-ousted bishop, Meletius.
    [Show full text]
  • Hell: Never, Forever, Or Just for Awhile?
    TMSJ 9/2 (Fall 1998) 129-145 HELL: NEVER, FOREVER, OR JUST FOR AWHILE? Richard L. Mayhue Senior Vice President and Dean Professor of Theology and Pastoral Ministries The plethora of literature produced in the last two decades on the basic nature of hell indicates a growing debate in evangelicalism that has not been experienced since the latter half of the nineteenth century. This introductory article to the entire theme issue of TMSJ sets forth the context of the question of whether hell involves conscious torment forever in Gehenna for unbelievers or their annihilation after the final judgment. It discusses historical, philosophical, lexical, contextual, and theological issues that prove crucial to reaching a definitive biblical conclusion. In the end, hell is a conscious, personal torment forever; it is not “just for awhile” before annihilation after the final judgment (conditional immortality) nor is its final retribution “never” (universalism). * * * * * A few noted evangelicals such as Clark Pinnock,1 John Stott,2 and John Wenham3 have in recent years challenged the doctrine of eternal torment forever in hell as God’s final judgment on all unbelievers. James Hunter, in his landmark “sociological interpretation” of evangelicalism, notes that “. it is clear that there is a measurable degree of uneasiness within this generation of Evangelicals with the notion of an eternal damnation.”4 The 1989 evangelical doctrinal caucus “Evangelical Affirmations” surprisingly debated this issue. “Strong disagreements did surface over the position of annihilationism, a view that holds that unsaved souls 1Clark H. Pinnock, “The Conditional View,” in Four Views on Hell, ed. by William Crockett (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996) 135-66.
    [Show full text]