Hellenization Revisited: Shaping a Christian Response Within the Greco-Roman World (Institute for Christian Studies S) - Softcover

...a rich collection of essays. I am sure it will contribute greatly to a renewal of interest in one of the major themes in the history of Christian doctrine. -- Paul Hubert, Laval University, Montreal To a century-old debate new voices are added. More than voices, a whole choir of concentrated and well-focused statements declares loud and clear that Harnack's theory of Hellenization must be reconsidered....An exemplary editorial achievement.... -- Charles Kannengiesser, Concordia University, Montreal The book thus has a pastoral as well as a scholarly purpose, and is directed not merely at a general audience, but at an actively Christian one... -- Charles Kannengiesser, Concordia University, Montreal * Comptes Rendus * ...a very useful bibliography... -- Charles Kannengiesser, Concordia University, Montreal * Catholic Biblical Quarterly * This book offers a diverse collection of essays from a number of viewpoints on Hellenization in Gnosticism, Judaism and early Christianity and will be of interest to scholars in those fields. -- Charles Kannengiesser, Concordia University, Montreal * Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses * ...recommended for acquisition by libraries. -- John T. Fitzgerald, RELIGIOUS STUDIES REVIEW ...a rich collection of essays. I am sure it will contribute greatly to a renewal of interest in one of the major themes in the history of Christian doctrine. -- Paul Hubert, Laval University, Montreal To a century-old debate new voices are added. More than voices, a whole choir of concentrated and well-focused statements declares loud and clear that Harnack's theory of Hellenization must be reconsidered....An exemplary editorial achievement.... -- Charles Kannengiesser, Concordia University, Montreal The book thus has a pastoral as well as a scholarly purpose, and is directed not merely at a "general" audience, but at an actively Christian one... -- Charles Kannengiesser, Concordia University, Montreal * Comptes Rendus * ...a very useful bibliography... -- Charles Kannengiesser, Concordia University, Montreal * Catholic Biblical Quarterly * This book offers a diverse collection of essays from a number of viewpoints on Hellenization in Gnosticism, Judaism and early Christianity and will be of interest to scholars in those fields. -- Charles Kannengiesser, Concordia University, Montreal * Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses * Helleman has done an admirable job of providing coherence, and her lengthy epilogue is an illuminating summary and synthesis of the often unruly pieces of the whole...they provide excellent information for readers seeking directions to further study. -- Charles Kannengiesser, Concordia University, Montreal * Calvin Theological Journal *

This volume focuses on the role of Judaism, particularly that of Philo, and of Gnosticism, as two important forces shaping the response of early Christianity to the Hellenistic Greco-Roman culture of its time. The sections which examine Hellenistic Judaism investigate themes from Greek philosophy, like 'reason controlling the passions,' which are also crucial in shaping Philo's perception of the feminine. The manner in which Jewish authors of this period attempt to synthesize Old Testament with Greek philosophical themes like creation/cosmology receives specific treatment. Essays dealing with Gnosticism re-examine themes from Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle in Gnostic documents, but also look at the role of Hellenistic Judaism with its interests in Sophia. Co-published with the Institute for Christian Studies.