By way of content, theophilus writes to his friend, autolycus, to convince him of the truth of christianity. Theophilus of antioch makes an important point in his reason with autolycus. As, therefore, in all these respects god is more powerful than man, so also in this. Theophilus to autolycus book i the lost books of the bible. 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. At the inception of theophilus third book, autolycus was apparently still of the opinion that the word of. Theophilus of antioch secondcentury bishop and christian apologist fl. Theophilus became the bishop of antioch in the sixth year of the reign of marcus aurelius, which is the year 168. According to eusebius, theophilus quoted the book of revelations in his work against hermogenes. In the present passage, theophilus explains to autolycus why he as a christian cannot. The three books to autolycus of theophilus of antioch enjoyed a considerable measure of popularity among later christian writers. The three books of theophilus of antioch to autolycus 49 book i 53 book ii 65 book iii 108 clement the recognitions of clement 185 book i 143 book ii 192 book iii 240 book iv 282 book v 304 book. And the fourth is the type of man, who needs light, that so there may be god, the word, wisdom, man letter to autolycus, book ii, chapter xv. So theophilus saw a trinity consisting of 1 god, 2 his word, and 3 his wisdom.
It behoved, therefore, that he should the rather become a scholar of god in this matter of legislation, as he himself confessed that in no other way could he gain accurate information than by gods teaching him through the law. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Theophilus received an education in rhetoric and philosophy, became a christian convert, and rose to be bishop of antioch. Theophilus to autolycus paperback di theophilus antioch e una grande selezione di libri, arte e articoli da collezione disponibile su abebooks. Heathen literature is compared with the scriptures in theophilus third book. Theophilus was reportedly the bishop of antioch, though no trace of this is found in any of his extent writings. Home fathers of the church to autolycus theophilus of antioch theophilus to autolycus. Its ostensible object is to convince a heathen friend, autolycus, a man of great learning and an earnest seeker after truth, of the divine authority of the christian religion, while at the same time he exhibits the falsehood and absurdity of paganism. The one undoubted extant work of theophilus is his apologia ad autolycum, in three books. The trinity were likened to the first three days of creation.
Theophilus occupies an interesting position, after ignatius, in the succession of faithful men who represented barnabas and other prophets and teachers of antioch, 522 522 acts xiii. This was taken from to autolycus, book ii in chapter 15 for the sun is a type of god, and the moon of man. Theophilus of antioch, theophilus of antioch, and he is without beginning, because he is unbegotten. For if the gods were begotten, they ought to be born even until now, as men, too, are born. His writing is clear and engaging, and much more accessible than many of his peers. The second book to autolycus argues against popular heathen religion, speculation, philosophers, and poets. Click download or read online button to get theophilus of antioch to autolycus book now. Educated in the greek tradition, theophilus became a christian as an adult, after extended deliberation, and by 170 was elected bishop of antioch. 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. Theophilus wrote a defense and explanation of christianity in ad 168. Theophilus, 7th bishop of antioch christian history for. Theophilus offline resources for theophilus of antioch. Jerome also credited theophilus with the works commentaries on the gospels and on the book of proverbs. Book ii book iii online resources for theophilus of antioch.
Theophilus, patriarch of antioch, succeeded eros c. Theophilus of antioch to autolycus book ii, chapter xxx. Theophilus has become one of my favorites of all the fathers. Theophilus of antioch, syrian saint, sixth bishop of antioch, and christian apologist. Eusebius found it in one of the libraries he used, probably at caesarea. His sole surviving work consists of three apologetic tracts to. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading theophilus of antioch.
To autolycus kindle edition by of antioch, theophilus, boer sr, paul. Theophilus of antioch from the nuremberg chronicle. 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. But also, concerning music, some have fabled that apollo was the inventor, and others say that orpheus discovered the art of music from the. Theophilus of antioch to autolycus book iii, chapter xvii chapter xvii. Communication of raphael hythloday, concerning the best state of a commonwealth and. After converting to christianity, he had little patience for his old pagan beliefs. His work was used not only by greek but also by latin writers.
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. To this could be added man as bearing the image of god. Chapter 1 chapter 2 chapter 3 chapter 4 chapter 5 chapter 6. He wrote commentaries on the gospels and much about the. I found myself laughing out loud, nodding my head, and underlining furiously as i read. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Rick rogers, theophilus of antioch lexington books 2000 recommended books for the study of early christian. Antenicene fathersvolume iitheophilus to autolycusbook. We dont much about his early life except that he was born near the euphrate river and was an adult convert to the faith after making an extensive study of the scriptures. Theophilus of antioch to autolycus doctrine of the trinity. 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, that eusebius made a chronological blunder. A full index of these and other possible references to the old and new testament is given by otto corp. For if the gods beget, and each remains immortal, then the race of gods must be more numerous than mortals, and the throng so great that mortals find no room to stand.
That the eyes of the soul must be purged ere god can be seen. Bible living 4 ways to live in a world thats crumbling mark altrogge. Among the utopians, the latter group is the more admired, though the former group is. Commentaries on the gospels, arranged in the form of a harmony, and on the book of proverbs, are also ascribed to him by jerome. We gather from his writings the only remaining being his apology to autolycus that he was born a pagan, not far from the tigris and euphrates, and was led to embrace. Theophilus is often cited among trinitarians as the first to use the word trinity. Eusebius praises the pastoral fidelity of the primitive pastors, in their unwearied labours to protect their flocks from the heresies with which satan contrived to endanger the souls of believers. Eusebius and jerome, among others, noted that theophilus wrote a number of works against the heresies that prevailed in his day. Utopia gives two related reasons why there are so few utopian priests.
We gather from his writings the only remaining being his apology to autolycus that he was born a pagan, not far from the. There is a sort of prejudice against those from another time or another place particularly those from the past they are merely credulous, thoughtless beasts. Theophilus of antioch to autolycus harvard theological. As you then afterwards urged me to do, i am desirous, though not educated to the art of speaking, of more accurately demonstrating, by means of this tractate, the. Robertsdonaldson introduction wace introduction handbook of patrology. Theophilus of antioch to autolycus download ebook pdf. Chapter 6 chapter 7 chapter 8 chapter 9 chapter 10. Theophilus of antioch to autolycus book iii, chapter. He was the 7th bishop of antioch, pauls home church. No doubt this word was probably used among the religious prior to that, but theophilus was the first to use it on documentation. Home fathers of the church to autolycus theophilus of antioch book i. 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. Of theophilus, whom we have mentioned as bishop of the church of antioch, three elementary works addressed to autolycus are extant. When we had formerly some conversation, my very good friend autolycus, and when you inquired who was my god, and for a little paid attention to my discourse, i made some explanations to you concerning my religion.
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