Christosis: Pauline Soteriology in Light of Deification in Irenaeus and Cyril of AlexandriaWith increasing interaction between Eastern and Western theologians, several recent biblical interpreters have characterised Paul's soteriology as theosis, or deification. In response to these affirmations, Ben C. Blackwell explores the anthropological dimension of Paul's soteriology to determine how helpful this characterisation is. Utilising the Wirkungsgeschichte of the Pauline letters, he first examines two Greek patristic interpreters of Paul - Irenaeus and Cyril of Alexandria - to clarify what deification entails and to determine which Pauline texts they used to support their soteriological constructions. The monograph then focuses on Paul's soteriology expressed in Romans 8 and 2 Corinthians 3-5 (with excursus on other passages) and explores how believers embody Christ's death and life, his suffering and glory, through the Spirit. Blackwell concludes with a comparison of deification as presented by these two Greek patristic interpreters and Paul's soteriology, noting the substantial overlap as well as key differences. |
Contents
Introduction | 3 |
Deification in Irenaeus | 35 |
Humanity and God | 43 |
Deification in Cyril of Alexandria | 71 |
Patristic Summary and Questions for Paul | 99 |
Deification Models | 103 |
Romans 8 | 117 |
Overlapping Images of Participation | 172 |
Summary of Pauls Soteriology | 239 |
Overlapping Images of Participation | 244 |
Conclusion | 251 |
Comparison of Patristic Notions of Deification | 262 |
Bibliography | 273 |
Index of Ancient Sources | 289 |
| 305 | |
Veils in 2 Cor 3 1315 | 185 |
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Common terms and phrases
Adam adoption anthropological argues argument aspects associated basis body Bultmann central chapter characterised Christ Christ's death Christian Christology Colossians context contrast corruption covenant creation Cyril of Alexandria death and resurrection deification deity distinction divine attributes Doutreleau duality embodied eschatological experience explicit explore flesh focus focused future Galatians glory Gnostic God's gods Grand Rapids heavenly human Ibid immortality incarnation incorruption interpreters Irenaeus and Cyril James D.G. Jesus justification Käsemann language Litwa Lord metaphor ministry Mohr Siebeck moral enablement Moses N.T. Wright narrative nature noetic notes ontological participation passage patristic writers Paul describes Paul presents Paul's letters Paul's soteriology Paul's theology Pauline texts Phil Philippians primarily primary problem reading redemption reflects regard relationship restoration righteousness role Romans salvation Second Corinthians serves share somatic sons sonship speaks Spirit suffering T&T Clark themes theology theosis tion traditions transformation Tübingen University Press verse writes δόξα εἰκών ἐν πνεῦμα τοῦ