Theophilus of Alexandria (The Early Church Fathers)

If Theophilus of Alexandria seems a minor figure today, it is because we persist in seeing him through the eyes of hostile contemporary witnesses, each of whom had his own reasons for diminishing Theophilus’ stature. In fact, he was one of the greatest bishops of the Theodosian era, who played an important role in a crucial phase of the Roman Empire’s transformation into a Christian society. Norman Russell's new assessment of Theophilus shows him as an able theologian, an expert ecclesiastical lawyer, a highly skilled orator and, surprisingly, a spiritual teacher. The introductory section examines his efforts to Christianize an Egypt still denominated by its great temples and his battles to maintain the pre-eminence of the Alexandrian Church in an age of rapid change. The texts, most of them translated into a modern language for the first time, reveal the full power and range of his thinking. Thoephilus of Alexandria brings back into focus a figure who has long been neglected in the study of early Christianity and will provide students and lecturers with a fresh perspective, not least through the translation of texts, for the first time, into English. Cover......Page 1 Half-Title......Page 2 Series-Title......Page 3 Title Page......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 8 Abbreviations......Page 10 Part I. Introduction......Page 12 1. The life of Theophilus of Alexandria......Page 14 Part II. Texts......Page 54 2. General introduction to the texts......Page 56 3. The earlier Festal Letters......Page 58 4. Homilies......Page 61 5. Ecclesiastical legislation......Page 90 6. The Origenist controversy......Page 100 Notes......Page 186 Bibliography......Page 212 Index......Page 224 The Early Church Fathers Series Cover 1 Half-Title 2 Series-Title 3 Title Page 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Preface 8 Abbreviations 10 Part I. Introduction 12 1. The life of Theophilus of Alexandria 14 Part II. Texts 54 2. General introduction to the texts 56 3. The earlier Festal Letters 58 4. Homilies 61 5. Ecclesiastical legislation 90 6. The Origenist controversy 100 Notes 186 Bibliography 212 Index 224 REVELATION This book provides a new assessment of Theophilus, arguably one of the greatest bishops of the Theodosian era. Translated into English for the first time, these texts present a fresh perspective in the study of early Christianity The Life Of Theophilus Of Alexandria -- General Introduction To The Texts -- Homilies -- Ecclesiastical Legislation -- The Origenist Controversy. Norman Russell. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 201-212) And Index.