The Later Christian Fathers: A Selection from the Writings of the Fathers from St. Cyril of Jerusalem to St. Leo the Great
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Author Description
The century and a quarter following the Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) has been called the 'Golden Age of Patristic literature.' It is this period that Henry Bettenson covers in this companion volume to The Early Christian Fathers, selecting from the writings of Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, Jerome, Augustine of Hippo, Cyril of Alexandria, and other Fathers of the Christian Church. Their central concerns were formulating the doctrine of the Trinity after the Nicene conclusions, and enunciating the doctrine of the divinity and humanity of Christ. The writings served to clarify if not to solve the issues and they continue to be valuable and relevant for all who wish to understand the Christian doctrine. As in The Early Christian Fathers, Mr. Bettenson has translated everything afresh and provided some brief sketches of the lives of each of the Fathers represented in the selection.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This volume investigates the theological developments and doctrinal formulations of the Christian Church during the post-Nicene era, specifically focusing on the nature of the Trinity and the person of Christ. Henry Scowcroft Bettenson, a noted scholar of patristic literature, curates a collection of primary source translations to illustrate the intellectual climate of the fourth and fifth centuries. By providing biographical sketches alongside these texts, the author establishes a framework for understanding how these figures navigated the complex theological debates of their time.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Primary source writings from figures including Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, Jerome, Augustine of Hippo, and Cyril of Alexandria.
- Translations covering the period from the Council of Nicaea to the era of St. Leo the Great.
- Biographical introductions for each featured Church Father.
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide an exhaustive history of the entire early Church, focusing instead on the specific period following the Council of Nicaea.
- It does not offer modern theological commentary or critique, serving primarily as a sourcebook for historical documents.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and students of theology frequently cite this work as a standard, accessible entry point for engaging with original patristic texts. The collection is widely regarded as a reliable companion for those seeking to understand the foundational arguments of the early Church Fathers.
Page Count:
302
Publication Date:
1973-01-25
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192830120
ISBN-13:
9780192830128
Philosophy
Church History
Patristics
Christian Theology
Fathers of the church
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