Jerome also credited theophilus with the works commentaries on the gospels and on the book of proverbs. He wrote three books to a man autolycus, mostly revolving around the idea that pagans believe in exceedingly immoral gods in contradistinction with the true god as revealed in the christian scriptures. Seeing that writers are fond of composing a multitude of books for vainglory some concerning gods, and wars, and chronology, and some, too, concerning useless legends, and other such labour in vain, in which you also have been used to employ yourself until now, and do not. Today i respond to the chapter on theophilus of antioch by rick rogers in the book early christian thinkers. Seeing that writers are fond of composing a multitude of books for vainglory some concerning gods, and wars, and chronology, and some, too, concerning useless legends, and other such labour in vain, in which you also have been used to employ yourself until now, and do not grudge to endure that toil. While the developed doctrine of the trinity is not explicit in the books that constitute the new testament, the new testament possesses a triadic understanding of god and contains a number of trinitarian formulas, including matthew 28. On the fourth day the luminaries came into existence. Who was theophilus at the beginning of luke and acts.
Eusebius in his chronicle places the name of theophilus against that of pope soter 16977, and that of maximinus, theophilus s successor, against the name of eleutherus 17793. Chapter 1 chapter 2 chapter 3 chapter 4 chapter 5 chapter 6 chapter 7 chapter 8 chapter 9. The book of acts study guide, bible acts 18, galatians. Theophilus of antioch to autolycus doctrine of the trinity. Theophilus knew that the greek philosophers believed matter and nature existed eternally, just like god did. The lives and legacies of twelve key figures edited by paul foster. But the greeks make no mention of the histories which give the truth. Theophilus was reportedly the bishop of antioch, though no trace of this is found in any of his extent writings. The canon and how much did early christians refer to the. That the eyes of the soul must be purged ere god can be seen. Continuing my series on theophilus of antioch and his work to autolycus ad autolycum, i am addressing theosis or deification in his work. Previous posts address christianity in antiquity, the parting of the ways, and trinity without christology. Little is known of the personal history of theophilus of antioch.
If you are lost by my terminology of theosis, see my primer on theosis and theosis for dummies in his defense of christianity, theophilus begins. Theophilus, 7th bishop of antioch christian history for. And the fourth is the type of man, who needs light, that so there may be god, the word, wisdom, man theophilus of antioch. Genesis 111 theophilus of antioch to autolycus, book 2. In like manner also the three days which were before the luminaries, are types of the trinity, of god, and his word, and his wisdom. Such a man would fit the description, as many scholars believe that theophilus could have been a. The word trinity was first used by theophilus of antioch to autolycus. In like manner also the three days which were before the luminaries, are types of the trinity greek trias of god, and his word, and his wisdom. I just checked the greek version of this passage of theophilus to autolycus, book iii. Start studying the book of acts study guide, bible acts 18, galatians, james, 1 and 2 corinthians, and 1 and 2 thessalonians, acts 1926 romans 15,8, acts 2728, ephesians, colossians, phillipians and philemon study guide, acts 812 study guide. So, we can see here, that jesus was saying, that from the beginning, gods design was for two to get married and never have a divorce. He was the 7th bishop of antioch, pauls home church. The church in corinth began as a result of the apostle pauls activities during his second missionary journey c.
Theophilus to autolycus book i the lost books of the bible. Theophilus of antioch on genesis 111 patristic bible. Theophilus, patriarch of antioch, succeeded eros c. From the book addressed to autolycus by saint theophilus of antioch, bishop blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see god. Such is the praise due to theophilus, in his opinion. Now we also confess that god exists, but that he is one, the creator, and maker, and. The previous post on theophilus is here goya, saturn devours his son theophilus of antioch makes an important point in his reason with autolycus.
We gather from the following treatise that he was born a pagan i. This weeks readings were from tatian the assyrians address to the greeks and theophilus of antioch s to autolycus. There is a sort of prejudice against those from another time or. Bible living so busy that i must pray stephen altrogge. And first, they taught us with one consent that god made all things out of nothing. The only mention of the holy spirit along with god the father and jesus christ is ii corinthians. Theophilus became the bishop of antioch in the sixth year of the reign of marcus aurelius, which is the year 168. Home fathers of the church to autolycus theophilus of antioch theophilus to autolycus. Grant school of theology, the university of the south in a time when it is generally recognized that the original text of the bible cannot be recovered, unless by some lucky. There are secondcentury references to a man named theophilus who was a great lord and a leader in the city of antioch during the time of luke.
According to the eusebius he became bishop of antioch 169. The spiritual state of the corinthians was so bad that paul had to write a further letter following his first, very stern one. In order to help me maintain this discipline i have been posting my notes each saturday. His dates create quite an interesting prophecy, though, since rome fell in a. Having responded to the accusations of christians by first noting what the pagans actually espouse, theophilus turns to what christians actually believe and espouse. Seeing that writers are fond of composing a multitude of books for vainglory,some concerning gods, and wars, and chronology, and some, too, concerning useless legends, and other such labour in vain, in which you. All have eyes, but some have eyes that are shrouded in darkness, unable to see the. I am participating in the reading group read the fathers. We gather from his writings the only remaining being his apology to autolycus that he was born a pagan, not far from the. When therefore we find in the third book of theophilus, ad autolychum, that the writer was alive after the death 180 of marcus aurelius, it does not follow, as even writers like harnack and bardenhewer suppose. Recommended books see the sermonindex recommended book list on amazon. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
Until i read this chapter i had seen passing references to theophilus, but i knew nothing about him. Eusebius and jerome, among others, noted that theophilus wrote a number of works against the heresies that prevailed in his day. The previous summary of theophilus may be found here. By the way, if any others may be under the assumption that this is a new argument or that belief in the bible is outdated based on our advanced scientific knowledge, it is important to observe this writing by theophilus of antioch in 181 a. Theophilus of antioch knew what the greek philosophers believed, and he did not fear challenging those beliefs.
Theophilus, sixth bishop of the church of antioch, in the reign of the emperor marcus antoninus verus composed a book against marcion, which is still extant, also three volumes to autolycus and one against the heresy of hermogenes and other short and elegant treatises, well. Eusebius in his chronicle places the name of theophilus against that of pope soter 16977, and that of maximinus, theophilus s successor, against the name of. Chapter 6 chapter 7 chapter 8 chapter 9 chapter 10. My newest book, romes audacious claim, was released december 1. A fluent tongue and an elegant style afford pleasure and such praise as vainglory delights in, to wretched men who have been corrupted in mind. This quote comes from work to autolycus ad autolycum by the secondcentury apologist theophilus. Theophilus of antioch 115181 theophilus was among the earliest to write a commentary on the gospels, if not the first. Thus says the lord god who established the heavens, and founded the earth and all that is therein, and gives breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein. Another possibility is that theophilus was a wealthy and influential man in the city of antioch.
It did not mean the doctrine of the trinity in the modern sense of the word. He was one of the earliest commentators upon the gospels, if not the first. Autolycus, was written sometime after the death of roman emperor marcus aurelius march 17, 180 since theophilus refers to it in the work. Using logic and reason alone, theophilus refuted them all. Theophilus is often cited among trinitarians as the first to use the word trinity.
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