Overview
For too long certain scholars have been content to portray Irenaeus of Lyons as a well-meaning churchman but incompetent theologian. By offering a careful reading of Irenaeus' polemical and constructive arguments, God and Christ in Irenaeus contradicts these claims by showing that he was highly educated, trained in the rhetorical arts, aware of general philosophical positions, and able to use both rhetorical and philosophical theories and methods in his argumentation. Moreover, the theological account laid down by his pen was original and sophisticated, supremely so for one of the second century.In contrast to readings that minimize the metaphysical dimension of Irenaeus' theology, Anthony Briggman establishes as pillars of Irenaeus' polemical argumentation and constructive theology his conception of the divine being as infinite and simple, the reciprocal immanence of the Word-Son and God the Father, divine generation, the union of the divine Word-Son and human nature in the person of Christ, and the revelatory activity of the infinite and incomprehensible Word-Son, amongst other features of his theology. Briggman offers a fundamentally new understanding of Irenaeus and his thought.
Full Product Details
Author: Anthony Briggman (Associate Professor of Early Christianity, Associate Professor of Early Christianity, Candler School of Theology, Emory University)
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Dimensions:
Width: 16.30cm
, Height: 1.80cm
, Length: 24.20cm
Weight: 0.514kg
ISBN: 9780198792567
ISBN 10: 0198792565
Pages: 248
Publication Date: 26 December 2018
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Tertiary & Higher Education
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: To order
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.
Reviews
a fascinating work Briggman sets out to do what hasn't been dne namely, to describe the metaphysical dimension in Irenaeus - his understanding of the divine being, his account of the Word/Son relation to the Father and his conception of the humanity of Christ. ... recommended. * Rev. E. T. Kirkland, English Churchman *
Briggman's volume is a strong contribution to Irenaeus studies and is a must have for all researchers of early Christianity. * Don W. Springer, Sioux Falls Seminary, South Dakota, Journal of Ecclesiastical History * a fascinating work... Briggman... sets out to do what hasn't been dne namely, to describe the metaphysical dimension in Irenaeus - his understanding of the divine being, his account of the Word/Son relation to the Father and his conception of the humanity of Christ. ... recommended. * Rev. E. T. Kirkland, English Churchman *
Author Information
Anthony Briggman is Associate Professor of Early Christianity at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. His research interests lie in the theologies authored in the Greek, Latin, and Syriac contexts of the Christian church between 100 and 600 CE. He is the author of Irenaeus of Lyons and the Theology of the Holy Spirit (2012).
