Philo of Alexandria and the Construction of Jewishness in Early Christian Writings

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, Church, Church History, History
Cover of the book Philo of Alexandria and the Construction of Jewishness in Early Christian Writings by Jennifer Otto, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jennifer Otto ISBN: 9780192552556
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: May 3, 2018
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Jennifer Otto
ISBN: 9780192552556
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: May 3, 2018
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

Philo of Alexandria and the Construction of Jewishness in Early Christian Writings investigates portrayals of the first-century philosopher and exegete Philo of Alexandria, in the writings of Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Eusebius. It argues that early Christian invocations of Philo are best understood not as attempts simply to claim an illustrious Jew for the Christian fold, but as examples of ongoing efforts to define the continuities and distinctive features of Christian beliefs and practices in relation to those of the Jews. This study takes as its starting point the curious fact that none of the first three Christians to mention Philo refer to him unambiguously as a Jew. Clement, the first in the Christian tradition to openly cite Philo's works, refers to him twice as a Pythagorean. Origen, who mentions Philo by name only three times, makes far more frequent reference to him in the guise of an anonymous "one who came before us." Eusebius, who invokes Philo on many more occasions than does Clement or Origen, most often refers to Philo as a Hebrew. These epithets construct Philo as an alternative "near-other" to both Christians and Jews, through whom ideas and practices may be imported to the former from the latter, all the while establishing boundaries between the "Christian" and "Jewish" ways of life. The portraits of Philo offered by each author reveal ongoing processes of difference-making and difference-effacing that constituted not only the construction of the Jewish "other," but also the Christian "self."

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Philo of Alexandria and the Construction of Jewishness in Early Christian Writings investigates portrayals of the first-century philosopher and exegete Philo of Alexandria, in the writings of Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Eusebius. It argues that early Christian invocations of Philo are best understood not as attempts simply to claim an illustrious Jew for the Christian fold, but as examples of ongoing efforts to define the continuities and distinctive features of Christian beliefs and practices in relation to those of the Jews. This study takes as its starting point the curious fact that none of the first three Christians to mention Philo refer to him unambiguously as a Jew. Clement, the first in the Christian tradition to openly cite Philo's works, refers to him twice as a Pythagorean. Origen, who mentions Philo by name only three times, makes far more frequent reference to him in the guise of an anonymous "one who came before us." Eusebius, who invokes Philo on many more occasions than does Clement or Origen, most often refers to Philo as a Hebrew. These epithets construct Philo as an alternative "near-other" to both Christians and Jews, through whom ideas and practices may be imported to the former from the latter, all the while establishing boundaries between the "Christian" and "Jewish" ways of life. The portraits of Philo offered by each author reveal ongoing processes of difference-making and difference-effacing that constituted not only the construction of the Jewish "other," but also the Christian "self."

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book The Quest for the Good Life by Jennifer Otto
Cover of the book The IMLI Manual on International Maritime Law: The IMLI Manual on International Maritime Law by Jennifer Otto
Cover of the book The Sociology of Speed by Jennifer Otto
Cover of the book Agency by Jennifer Otto
Cover of the book Exposure Assessment in Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology by Jennifer Otto
Cover of the book Film, Art, and the Third Culture by Jennifer Otto
Cover of the book The psychology of music in multimedia by Jennifer Otto
Cover of the book Medical Law: A Very Short Introduction by Jennifer Otto
Cover of the book Testosterone by Jennifer Otto
Cover of the book Oxford Textbook of Axial Spondyloarthritis by Jennifer Otto
Cover of the book Boundaries and Allegiances by Jennifer Otto
Cover of the book Is evidence-based psychiatry ethical? by Jennifer Otto
Cover of the book Blackstone's Prison Law Handbook 2014-2015 by Jennifer Otto
Cover of the book Poems and Prose by Jennifer Otto
Cover of the book Sick Societies by Jennifer Otto
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy