Each section of these writings has its own designated search feature and most are in mp3 audio for listening while you read. His writings provide the clearest view of this development of judaism in the diaspora. Philo of alexandriamixing scripture with speculation. Although many of philos writings have survived, little is konwn about his life.
The mystic gospel of hellenistic judaism runia, exegesis and philosophy. The connection between philo and the intellectual leaders of the early church, however, is clear. But the story of how this process of reception and appropriation took place has never been systematically. Origen was expelled by the bishop demetrius, clement fled during a wave of persecution, and philo was rejected along with the septuagint by later judaism, since both seemed too ambiguously close to christianity. Emil schurer writes the literature of the jewish people in the time of jesus, pp. In this book the author first examines how philos works are related to the new testament and the earliest chritian writing, and then. Philo in early christian literature compendia rerum iudaicarum ad novum testamentum runia, david t. He could then reconcile his philosophy to his religion and be in a position to give an account. Jul 31, 2016 philo tried to integrate the jewish religion with greek philosophy, to make the jews more greek and roman. Philo of alexandria and the construction of jewishness in early christian writings investigates portrayals of the firstcentury philosopher and exegete philo of alexandria, in the writings of clement of alexandria, origen, and eusebius. Pdf philo of alexandria represents a hellenistic tradition of reading the scriptures in. It seems likely philo wrote this after listening to their expositions of the holy scriptures, and it is very probable that what he calls short works by their early writers were the gospels, the apostolic writings, and in all probability passages interpreting the old prophets, such as one contained in the epistle to the hebrews and several. Many of philos works were preserved in the writings of the church fathers.
A prominent scholar and exegete, philo s writings are considered the most thorough and most representative documents illuminating hellenistic judaism. Studies on philo of alexandria calabi, gods acting, mans acting. The history of the church from christ to constantine classics. The site provides translations and commentary for these sources, including the new testament, apocrypha, gnostics, church fathers, and some nonchristian references. A contemporary of jesus christ, philo of alexandria ranks among the greatest of jewish and greek thinkers.
The full article is available by clicking the link below. Philo in early christian literature media sabda org. The site provides translations and commentary for these sources, including the new testament, apocrypha, gnostics, church fathers, and some non christian references. Philo of alexandria and the construction of jewishness in. Philo s works were enthusiastically received by the early christians. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Otto further contends that philo was harnessed by christians not simply to elaborate the. A contemporary of paul and jesus, philo judaeus, of alexandria, egypt, is unquestionably among the most important writers for historians and students of hellenistic judaism and early christianity. So important was philo to the early church writers that some, such as eusebius and jerome even went so far as to claim that he was a christian. In doing this philo was adopting the greek method used in the interpretation of the homeric writings.
Most introductory accounts of the writings and thought of philo of alex. It is very tempting to deal with it in a primarily narrative way, for the story of how philo s writings were taken up in the christian tradition and preserved for posterity is a fascinating one, one moreover which has seldom been told. This work has been transcribed by anonymous from the 1993 reprint, but it remains the translation of c. All but three of these men were themselves christians. Philo creationwiki, the encyclopedia of creation science. Philo of alexandrias most popular book is the works of philo. High quality cdroms the early christian writings cdrom and early jewish writings cdrom are now available at historic low prices.
His family, of a sacerdotal line, was one of the most powerful of the populous jewish colony of alexandria. It is a remarkable fact that the writings of philo, the jew from alexandria, were preserved because they were taken up in the christian tradition. Philo also held the teachings of the hebrew lawgiver, moses, in high regard. Philo of alexandria, sometimes known as philo judaeus, was a firstcentury philosopher who was born sometime between 1530 bc in alexandria, egypt. Bethunebaker, an introduction to the early history of christian doctrine. Christology, christian reflection, teaching, and doctrine concerning jesus of nazareth. Philo of alexandria aka philo judaeus, philo the jew and yedidia c.
Now, thats not proof that philo knew jesus, its just another reason why this argument isnt really the best. Only fragments of philos works remain, but numerous quotations from his writings are found in early christian literature. He took philosophical allegory to blend and integrate greek philosophy and jewish traditions in a harmonious manner. An architects design before the construction of a city serves to philo as another simile.
Although many of philo s writings have survived, little is konwn about his life. A prominent scholar and exegete, philos writings are considered the most thorough and most representative documents illuminating hellenistic judaism. Philo of alexandria, the most prolific jewishhellenistic writer and the first jewish philosopher sufficiently known to us through his works, left us a number of 40 extant tractates written in greek and translations in other languages. While this shorter explanation in a catechetical form questions and answers on genesis was intended for more extensive circles, philos special and chief scientific work is his large allegorical commentary on genesis.
The works of philo by cd yonge early christian writings. Perhaps it would be better to say that we dont have any writings of philo that mention jesus, therefore rather than philo didnt write about jesus, therefore. It is very tempting to deal with it in a primarily narrative way, for the story of how philos writings were taken up in the christian tradition and preserved for posterity is a fascinating one, one moreover which has seldom been told. There many similarities to early christian writings, and they were quoted by the church fathers. Buy compendia rerum iudaicarum ad novum testamentum. In this major contribution to philonic studies he explores the reception of philos writings and thought in early christian literature, with a cutoff point of approximately 400 a.
He wrote expansively in koine greek on the intersection of philosophy, politics, and religion in his time, specifically he explored the connections between greek platonic philosophy and late second temple judaism. Philo of alexandria stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Josephus, the judean historian who also lived in the 1st century, says that philo s family surpassed all others in the nobility of its lineage. He took philosophical allegory to blend and integrate greek philosophy and jewish traditions in a. The writings of philo judaeus of alexandria philo s works were enthusiastically received by the early christians. Exploring the ways earliest christian writing was influenced by the work of philo judaeus tod stites on. Historically, he was not popular with his fellow jews. The works of philo judaeus the contemporary of josephus. The exposition of the law then follows in two sections. If philo must be acquitted of the charge of having abandoned judaism to offer just another variety of pagan philosophy, so too one must guard against the early christian view that philo anticipated the doctrine of the trinity in his theory of the logos. He was not only the first theologianthat is, the first who attempted to reconcile the teachings of supernatural revelation with the conclusions of speculative thoughtbut also the first psychologist of faith, the first mystic among monotheists, and the first systematizer of biblical.
Settings, meaning runia, philo of alexandria and the timaeus of plato 2 vols danielou, philo of alexandria runia, philo in early christian literature. Books by philo of alexandria author of the works of philo. But skeptics are quick to respond that the reference to jesus in josephus is a christian addition. Whatever may be the limits of my sagacity, however, i can give the strongest assurance. The apologetic value of philo not mentioning jesus.
Philo judaeus, also called philo of alexandria, born 1510 bce, alexandriadied 4550 ce, alexandria, greekspeaking jewish philosopher, the most important representative of hellenistic judaism. A 37volume electronic collection of writings from the first 800 years of the church. Philo probably was the first philosopher who identified platos ideas with creators thoughts. Complete and unabridged, this updated version of the works of philo is the most complete onevolume edition of the writings of philo. Philo judeus encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. We know about him now because christians liked his writings. The few facts about his life come from occasional hints in his own books and a small number of external. Only fragments of philo s works remain, but numerous quotations from his writings are found in early christian literature. Of these three chapters the one on philo 11 is the longest. Guidebook par excellence to a significant ancient jewish scholar a contemporary of both jesus and the apostle paul, philo was a prolific jewish theologian, philosopher, and politician a fascinating, somewhat enigmatic figure who lived his entire life in alexandria, egypt. It contains a listing of all scholarly writings on philo for the period 1997 to 2006.
The new testament writings were contemporary and their claims about. The following is an excerpt from christian research journal article da242 by ronald nash. In the fragments of greek and roman writers carefully collected by menahem. Although philo does not explicitly mention jesus, or paul, or any of the followers of jesus, philo lived in their world. This site is like a library, use search box in the.
David t runia the extensive writings of the jewish philosopher and exegete philo of alexandria 15 bce to 50 ce were preserved through the efforts of early christians, who decided that these works could assist. A blog focusing on studies of philo of alexandria, and their relevance for new testament studies. Philo in early christian literature compendia rerum iudaicarum ad novum testamentum. Before marching eastward on the road to world conquest, he founded a city that he called alexandria. Click download or read online button to get the works of philo judaeus the contemporary of josephus book now. The writings of philo judaeus of alexandria book 39. Philo of alexandria platonism, paganism and early christianity. This volume, prepared with the collaboration of the international philo bibliography project, is the third in a series of annotated bibliographies on the jewish exegete and philosopher philo of alexandria. Philo made extensive use of allegory in his writings, but it would be a mistake to. Indeed, philo seemed to believe that moses had been the teacher of pythagoras and other notable greek thinkers such as heraclitus. The apologetic value of philo not mentioning jesus stephen.
Philo attempted to achieve a twofold purpose by his writings. Torrey seland philos exposition of the law and social history. His brother alexander lysimachus was steward to anthonys second daughter, and married one of his sons to the daughter of herod agrippa, whom he had put under financial obligations. Jewish author and philosopher philo of alexandria is an important figure for both hellenistic judaism and early christianity. Home resource pages for biblical studies resource page 1.
Early christian writings is the most complete collection of christian texts before the council of nicaea in 325 ad. Philo of alexandria download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Download philo judaeus philo of alexandria torrent or any other torrent from other ebooks direct download via magnet link. Mar 30, 2009 the following is an excerpt from christian research journal article da242 by ronald nash. Christianity influenced much by unknown theologian philo. Exploring the ways earliest christian writings were influenced by the works of philo judaeus. This he did by writing a vast, multivolume commentary on what we now know as the old testament, in which he attempted to show that, in fact, all of the wisdom and insight of greek philosophy which was the most prestigious thinking, the elite ideology and science, of his day actually originated in the writings of moses. The writings of philo judaeus philo of alexandria, c20 bc c50 ad are important to the historical examination of late second temple judaism, the religious world into which christ came.
A survey compendia rerum iudaicarum ad novum testamentum. Along with the logos, philo posited a whole realm of beings or potencies that bridge the gap between the creator and his creation. In view of the vagueness, effectiveness, and vulnerability of the evangelical accounts of jesus, as far as his historical reality is concerned, the witnesses in non christian literature have always occupied a prominent place in the question of his historicity. It is striking that jerome includes sketches of philo, the 149 roman statesman and philosopher seneca, and the jewish historian josephus among all these christian worthies. A terrific, short collection of important early christian writings in modern english. The few facts about his life come from occasional hints in his own books and a small number of. List of books and articles about philo philo of alexandria. Philo who, also known as philo of alexandria, philo judaeus, philo judaeus of alexandria, yedidia, philon, and philo the jew, was a popular and prominent hellenistic jewish biblical philosopher.
The biblical antiquities of philo goodenough, by light, light. The witnesses to the historicity of jesuspart 1section 1. The truth is, aside from the new testament, the main writings of any length that we have are those of philo and josephus. The bulk of this critique of eurestis work will be primarily to engage with the influence of philo on the formation of the christian doctrine of the trinity. On the birth of abel and the sacrifices offered by him and by his brother cain. Eusebius records a legendary meeting between philo and peter in rome 22 and both writers argue that philo s work concerning jewish ascetics on the contemplative life is a first hand report of the. Why didnt philo of alexandria write about jesus or. Section 3, jewish traditions in early christian lite. We do not even know when he was born or when he died. Christology is the part of theology that is concerned with the nature and work of jesus, including such matters as the incarnation, the resurrection, and his human and divine natures and their relationship. Yonge, this edition provides easy access to writing crucial for historians and students of hellenistic judaism and early christianity. Josephus, the judean historian who also lived in the 1st century, says that philos family surpassed all others in the nobility of its lineage.
They furnish us with a great deal of first hand information concerning the religion of the jews outside of israel, new testament background and the interaction of judaism within a gentile culture. Aug 08, 20 the contention is that the early fathers of the church got hold of philos writings andor thoughts and blended them in with the monotheism of christianity carried over from judaism. The works of philo ebook christian book distributors. Tradition and philosophy in philo of alexandria harrington, ed. Philo judaeus alexandrinus early christian literature judaic. This is therefore a great, rapid introduction to the prenicene church fathers for those that want a feel for the early apostolic churches. The early christian research library online includes the complete works of flavius josephus, writings of philo of alexander, apostolic fathers writings, and selections of apocryphal writings. As an essential part of the bridge built to connect greek philosophy to judeochristian religion, philos works provide powerful insight into. But the story of how this process of reception and appropriation took place has never been systematically research. His allegorical exegesis was important for some christian church fathers, but he had very little reception history within the rabbinic judaism. The extensive writings of the jewish philosopher and exegete philo of alexandria 15 bce to 50 ce were preserved through the efforts of early christians, who. In this book the author first examines how philo s works are related to the new testament and the earliest chritian writing, and then.
Philos works were enthusiastically received by the early christians. If jesus really lived, then surely philo would have mentioned him. In this book the author first examines how philos works are related to the new testament and the earliest chritian writing, and then how they were used by greek and latin church fathers up to 400 c. He was influential on early christianity and a factor in why early christian exegesis tended favored non literal interpretations of scripture more than popular jewish thought at the time which philo was not part of despite being jewish including but not. On the birth of abel and the sacrifices offered by. Philo, clement, and origen did not gain longlasting success in alexandria.
Philo and the church fathers a collection of papers brill. Hurtado, university of edinburgh to pose such a large question in the limited space provided by this essay will seem unwise, and justifiably so, and may even be mistaken as a trivializing of the issue. Philo of alexandria is a jewish thinker who lived in alexandria in the first half of the. Philo in early christian literature compendia rerum. Pdf the holy logos in the writings of philo of alexandria. Naturally my theme is a broad one, and could be dealt with in various ways. The present translation of the works of philo first appeared in 18541855 in 4 volumes in. A member of the jewish diaspora, he was raised with a jewish and greek education, giving him an impressive status in a nonjewish city like alexandria. Alexandria had a thriving jewish community and was known for its intellectual vigor. Philo judaeus philo of alexandria download torrent tpb. Click download or read online button to get philo of alexandria book now. Philo s philosophy was an eclectic combination of platonism, stoicism, aristotelian logic, and several concepts originated by pythagoras. The writings of philo are the most important surviving documents from the world of hellenistic judaism. The contemporary of josephus, translated from the greek.