Divine Providence in Philo of Alexandria

Divine Providence in Philo of Alexandria PDF Author: Peter Frick
Publisher:
ISBN: 9783161586996
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
In his study Peter Frick starts with the examination of the theocentric structure of Philo's thought as outlined in the important passage De Opificio Mundi 171-2 where Philo correlates the idea of providence with his concept of God and the theory of creation. On this basis, any adequate understanding of providence in Philo must begin with the correlation between the formal aspects of the Philonic concept of God, especially the idea of God's transcendence, and Philo's conceptualization of the idea of providence in light of these formal aspects. In particular, the issue is how Philo can predicate that God is provident in nature, although God cannot be apprehended in his essence. Moreover, Philo explains the immanence of God in the cosmos in terms of the Logos and the divine powers, one of which he specifically characterizes as the providential power. Both the aspects of divine transcendence and immanence cohere in Philo's theory of creation. He conceives of the role of providence in cosmological matters as being responsible for the design, administration and continuous existence of the created universe.Two further issues, the questions of astral fatalism and theodicy, are critically important for a thorough understanding of Philo's conception of divine providence. Philo rejects the assumption implied in astral fatalism that the stars are transcendent divinities and thus have causal powers over human affairs. And he rejects astral fatalism because it renders absurd the notion of moral responsibility. Concerning the question of theodicy, Philo proceeds from the Platonic premise that God is not the cause for evil in any way. For him, the existence of moral evil exonerates God and his providence as the cause for evil and anchors the blame in the person.

Divine Providence in Philo of Alexandria

Divine Providence in Philo of Alexandria PDF Author: Peter Frick
Publisher:
ISBN: 9783161586996
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
In his study Peter Frick starts with the examination of the theocentric structure of Philo's thought as outlined in the important passage De Opificio Mundi 171-2 where Philo correlates the idea of providence with his concept of God and the theory of creation. On this basis, any adequate understanding of providence in Philo must begin with the correlation between the formal aspects of the Philonic concept of God, especially the idea of God's transcendence, and Philo's conceptualization of the idea of providence in light of these formal aspects. In particular, the issue is how Philo can predicate that God is provident in nature, although God cannot be apprehended in his essence. Moreover, Philo explains the immanence of God in the cosmos in terms of the Logos and the divine powers, one of which he specifically characterizes as the providential power. Both the aspects of divine transcendence and immanence cohere in Philo's theory of creation. He conceives of the role of providence in cosmological matters as being responsible for the design, administration and continuous existence of the created universe.Two further issues, the questions of astral fatalism and theodicy, are critically important for a thorough understanding of Philo's conception of divine providence. Philo rejects the assumption implied in astral fatalism that the stars are transcendent divinities and thus have causal powers over human affairs. And he rejects astral fatalism because it renders absurd the notion of moral responsibility. Concerning the question of theodicy, Philo proceeds from the Platonic premise that God is not the cause for evil in any way. For him, the existence of moral evil exonerates God and his providence as the cause for evil and anchors the blame in the person.

Clement of Alexandria's Reinterpretation of Divine Providence

Clement of Alexandria's Reinterpretation of Divine Providence PDF Author: Jon D. Ewing
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 300

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Book Description
This work examines the ways in \vhich the early Christian author. Clement ofAlexandria, was able to creatively synthesize disparate Biblical, Hellenistic Jewish, Platonic and Stoic understandings of the concept of divine providence. After an initial look at Clement's socio-historical environment. the study focuses on specific conceptual development of providence [1tp6vota] and how this term was utilized and understood in its respective milieux.

Divine Providence in Philo of Alexandria

Divine Providence in Philo of Alexandria PDF Author: Peter Frick
Publisher: Mohr Siebeck
ISBN: 9783161471414
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 254

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Book Description
In his study Peter Frick starts with the examination of the theocentric structure of Philo's thought as outlined in the important passage De Opificio Mundi 171-2 where Philo correlates the idea of providence with his concept of God and the theory of creation. On this basis, any adequate understanding of providence in Philo must begin with the correlation between the formal aspects of the Philonic concept of God, especially the idea of God's transcendence, and Philo's conceptualization of the idea of providence in light of these formal aspects. In particular, the issue is how Philo can predicate that God is provident in nature, although God cannot be apprehended in his essence. Moreover, Philo explains the immanence of God in the cosmos in terms of the Logos and the divine powers, one of which he specifically characterizes as the providential power. Both the aspects of divine transcendence and immanence cohere in Philo's theory of creation. He conceives of the role of providence in cosmological matters as being responsible for the design, administration and continuous existence of the created universe. Two further issues, the questions of astral fatalism and theodicy, are critically important for a thorough understanding of Philo's conception of divine providence. Philo rejects the assumption implied in astral fatalism that the stars are transcendent divinities and thus have causal powers over human affairs. And he rejects astral fatalism because it renders absurd the notion of moral responsibility. Concerning the question of theodicy, Philo proceeds from the Platonic premise that God is not the cause for evil in any way. For him, the existence of moral evil exonerates God and his providence as the cause for evil and anchors the blame in the person.

Fate, Providence and Free Will: Philosophy and Religion in Dialogue in the Early Imperial Age

Fate, Providence and Free Will: Philosophy and Religion in Dialogue in the Early Imperial Age PDF Author:
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004436383
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 343

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Book Description
This volume offers a collection of papers about the notions of fate, providence, and free will, as developed and debated in philosophy and religion in the early Imperial age (ca. 31 BCE-250 CE).

Philo: On providence (De providentia)

Philo: On providence (De providentia) PDF Author: Philo (of Alexandria)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Greek literature
Languages : en
Pages : 576

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Book Description
Philo, the famous Jewish philosopher, (born C.20 B.C.) apparently lived all his life in Alexandria except when he occasionally left it as in A.D. 39-40 when he went to Rome with others to plead with the emperor Gaius not to claim divine honours from the Jews. He is the most important example of the Hellenised Jews outside Palestine, as much Greek as Jewish, especially in literary attitude and philosophy, though he believed wholly in the Mosaic scriptures and in one God whose chief mediator with the world is the Logos or Reason of God. Most of his many works are apparently parts large works of which we may distinguish three on the Pentateuch -- an exposition of Genesis and Exodus; a very long allegorical commentary on legislation including the creation, and lives of (biblical) sages as types of morality. There are also separate wirtings such as a life of Moses, two works on Gaius arrogance and Philos appeal to him; one providence (known in an Armenian translation only); and others. There are also some works perhaps wrongly ascribed to Philo.

On Divine Providence

On Divine Providence PDF Author: Theodoret (Bishop of Cyrrhus.)
Publisher: Paulist Press
ISBN: 9780809104208
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 238

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Book Description
Theodoret can be called the last great torchbearer of Christian rhetoric in Asia and De providentia is regarded by many as exhibiting his literary power in its highest form. Written c. 437. +

Philo of Alexandria

Philo of Alexandria PDF Author: Jean Danielou
Publisher: James Clarke & Company
ISBN: 0227902599
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 199

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Book Description
Jean Danielou's 'Philo of Alexandria' illuminates the life and work of a key figure in the history of religious thought. Philo of Alexandria was a first-century Hellenistic Jewish philosopher who was born into a wealthy and prominent family in Alexandria, in the Roman province of Egypt. Educated in both Jewish culture and Greek philosophy, Philo believed that literal interpretations of the Hebrew Bible would distort the Jewish people's perceptions of a God too complex to be understood in literal, human terms. He became one of the first religious thinkers to initiate a strong allegorical reading of Scripture. Jean Danielou places Philo's writing in context, detailing the remarkable events of the philosopher's life, including a diplomatic mission to present himself before the Roman Emperor Caligula on behalf of the persecuted Jews of Alexandria. James Colbert's English translation provides a highly accessible introduction to this important figure, a pioneer of biblical commentary whose work has had a lasting influence on Christian theology. It is essential reading for those interested in patristics, exegesis, or the history of religious and philosophical thought.

The Works of Philo

The Works of Philo PDF Author: Charles Duke Philo
Publisher: Hendrickson Publishers
ISBN: 1619701162
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 1920

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Book Description
An affordable edition of Philo! A contemporary of Jesus and Paul, Philo wrote extensively on the Hebrew Scriptures and other Jewish topics, but few have read his work because all available sets were pricey. This edition features modern type, passages keyed to the Loeb referencing system, and several newly translated sections not found in other editions.

Philo of Alexandria: On the Contemplative Life

Philo of Alexandria: On the Contemplative Life PDF Author: Joan E. Taylor
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004439234
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 457

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Book Description
De Vita Contemplativa is known for its depiction of a philosophical group of Jewish men and women known as the ‘Therapeutae’. This commentary sets the treatise in its historical context and explores Philo’s aims in depicting them as he did.

On the Embassy to Gaius

On the Embassy to Gaius PDF Author: Philo
Publisher: DigiCat
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 93

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Book Description
An ancient Roman history text, translated by Charles Yonge, and written by the Greek philosopher Philo of Alexandria. The Embassy to Gaius was a meeting between Gaius Caligula, the then Roman Emperor, and a large contingent of Jews. They wished to overturn Gaius' plans to have a huge statue of Zeus installed in the temple. Gaius' hatred of the Jews is legendary. This book is important because it helps to understand the relations between Jews and Romans in the first century A.D.