The Vision of Didymus the Blind

A Fourth-Century Virtue-Origenism

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Theology, Christianity, Church
Cover of the book The Vision of Didymus the Blind by Grant D. Bayliss, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Grant D. Bayliss ISBN: 9780191081804
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: December 10, 2015
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Grant D. Bayliss
ISBN: 9780191081804
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: December 10, 2015
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

An independent teacher, based in Alexandria throughout the second half of the fourth century, Didymus appealed to many within the broadly Origenist currents of Egyptian asceticism, including Jerome, Rufinus, and Evagrius. His commentaries, lecture-notes, and theological treatises show him specifically committed to the legacy of Origen and Philo, rather than a broader 'Alexandrian' or noetic reading of Scripture. Yet his concern was not to answer classic 'Antiochene' critique but rather offer a faithful continuation of many aspects of Origen's thought and exegesis, now made consistent with the broader anti-subordinationist developments in Nicene faith from the 350s onwards. In doing so he made virtue a primary category of reality, human existence, and life, in ways that go beyond the traditional philosophical tropes. This 'turn to virtue' draws parallels with wider fourth-century trends but it sets Didymus' own Origenism apart from those of other Origenists, such as Eusebius of Caesarea or Evagrius of Pontus. Thus detailed discussion focuses on Didymus' portrayal of virtue, sin, and passion, which together form the constant hermeneutical terrain for his anagogical exegesis and exhortation to a dynamic process of ascent. Speculative comments of Origen on the pre-existence of the soul, salvation of the devil, pre-passion, and the sin of Adam are shown to be reframed, both to aid the individual's navigation of the return to virtue and to answer the challenge of contemporary Manichaean and Apollinarian beliefs.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

An independent teacher, based in Alexandria throughout the second half of the fourth century, Didymus appealed to many within the broadly Origenist currents of Egyptian asceticism, including Jerome, Rufinus, and Evagrius. His commentaries, lecture-notes, and theological treatises show him specifically committed to the legacy of Origen and Philo, rather than a broader 'Alexandrian' or noetic reading of Scripture. Yet his concern was not to answer classic 'Antiochene' critique but rather offer a faithful continuation of many aspects of Origen's thought and exegesis, now made consistent with the broader anti-subordinationist developments in Nicene faith from the 350s onwards. In doing so he made virtue a primary category of reality, human existence, and life, in ways that go beyond the traditional philosophical tropes. This 'turn to virtue' draws parallels with wider fourth-century trends but it sets Didymus' own Origenism apart from those of other Origenists, such as Eusebius of Caesarea or Evagrius of Pontus. Thus detailed discussion focuses on Didymus' portrayal of virtue, sin, and passion, which together form the constant hermeneutical terrain for his anagogical exegesis and exhortation to a dynamic process of ascent. Speculative comments of Origen on the pre-existence of the soul, salvation of the devil, pre-passion, and the sin of Adam are shown to be reframed, both to aid the individual's navigation of the return to virtue and to answer the challenge of contemporary Manichaean and Apollinarian beliefs.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book Inside the Compassionate Organization by Grant D. Bayliss
Cover of the book Geoffrey Chaucer: A Very Short Introduction by Grant D. Bayliss
Cover of the book God Is Not a Story by Grant D. Bayliss
Cover of the book Plant Functional Diversity by Grant D. Bayliss
Cover of the book Gaia:A New Look at Life on Earth by Grant D. Bayliss
Cover of the book The Fortune of the Rougons by Grant D. Bayliss
Cover of the book Organized Crime: A Very Short Introduction by Grant D. Bayliss
Cover of the book Cremation and the Archaeology of Death by Grant D. Bayliss
Cover of the book Blood: A Very Short Introduction by Grant D. Bayliss
Cover of the book The Country Wife and Other Plays by Grant D. Bayliss
Cover of the book The Meme Machine by Grant D. Bayliss
Cover of the book Origins of the Colonnaded Streets in the Cities of the Roman East by Grant D. Bayliss
Cover of the book Training in Ophthalmology by Grant D. Bayliss
Cover of the book Maurice Wilkins: The Third Man of the Double Helix by Grant D. Bayliss
Cover of the book Oxford Case Histories in Rheumatology by Grant D. Bayliss
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy