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Author Pedersen, Nils Arne, 1959-

Title Demonstrative proof in defence of God : a study of Titus of Bostra's Contra Manichaeos : the work's sources, aims, and relation to its contemporary theology / by Nils Arne Pedersen
Published Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2004

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Description 1 online resource (xv, 575 pages)
Series Nag Hammadi and Manichaean studies, 0929-2470 ; 56
Nag Hammadi and Manichaean studies ; 56. 0929-2470
Contents Preface -- Abbreviations -- I. Introduction -- 1. The main interpretation -- Excursion: Manichaeism as Christian Gnosis -- 2. Overview of the study's structure -- II. Summary of Contents -- 1. Summary of Book I -- 2. Summary of Book II -- 3. Summary of Book III -- 4. Summary of Book IV -- III. Receptions, editions and scholarship history of Contra Manichaeos -- 1. Knowledge of Titus in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages -- 2. Reception of and scholarship on Contra Manichaeos from the end of the 16th century to De Lagarde's editions of the text in 1859
3. Contra Manichaeos as a source of knowledge on Manichaeism -- 4. Titus as a theological and philosophical writer -- 5. Text transmission and history of editions -- IV. The historical and literary context for Titus of Bostra's Contra Manichaeos -- 1. Introductory remarks -- 2. The province of Arabia, conflicts between pagans and Catholics and the dating of Contra Manichaeos -- Excursion: Other works by Titus -- 3. Heresiology and anti-Manichaeism -- Excursion: Possible use of various patristic sources in Titus
v. The audience for Contra Manichaeos and the portrayal of Manichaeism that Titus wished to present to them -- 1. The two audiences -- 2. Titus's portrayal of Manichaeism as barbarism, irrationalism and as a philosophy -- 3. Titus's portrayal of Manichaeism as determinism and immorality -- VI. The Manichaean texts used by Titus of Bostra -- 1 The relevance of the problem for this study -- 2. Heraclianus's information and Adda's works -- 3. The Manichaean source in Contra Manichaeos I + III. 4-5 -- 4. Other Manichaean sources in Contra Manichaeos Books III-IV
5. The Manichaean criticism of the Creator God in Contra Manichaeos III. 7 -- a. Introduction -- b. Discussion of the non-Catholic polemical interpretations of the OT -- c. The philosophical and Marcionite background for the idea of the Creator's ignorance -- d. The philosophical and Gnostic background for the idea of the Creator's zk"opr{ -- e. The positive evaluation of man's acquisition of knowledge in Gnostic texts -- f. Comparison with the original Manichaean literature -- g. Comparison with Augustine's portrayal of Manichaeism -- h. Comparison with Emperor Julian's treatise: Contra Galilaeos
I. Problems and different solutions -- VII. Titus of Bostra's philosophical position -- 1. Titus's knowledge of philosophers and philosophical texts -- 2. Titus's concept of God and his basic philosophical position -- 3. The ""common concepts"" -- 4. Titus's philosophical psychology -- VIII. Titus of Bostra's interpretation of the Paradise narrative -- 1. Introductory remark -- 2. The image of God in man -- 3. God's foreknowledge and man's disobedience -- 4. Comparison with earlier writers -- 5. Death as a benefit -- a. Titus's view of death in Book II and Book IV -- b. Death did not harm man
Summary This volume is the first extensive study of a Christian work from the 4th century, Titus of Bostra's Contra Manichaeos, which is the only text from the early Greek Church setting out a comprehensive theodicy. The study illuminates the text's relation to contemporary theology and philosophy and interprets it in the light of the ideological conflicts between pagans, Catholic Christians and Manichaeans in the 4th century. It includes an examination of the possible Manichaean sources used by Titus, and, furthermore, a critical text study and translation of central passages in Contra Manichaeos, based both on the Greek text and the Syriac version of it
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 475-516) and indexes
Notes Print version record
Subject Titus, of Bostra, Bishop of Bostra, active approximately 362-378. Against the Manichees.
Titus Bostrensis.
SUBJECT Against the Manichees (Titus, of Bostra, Bishop of Bostra) fast
Subject Manichaeism -- Controversial literature -- History and criticism
RELIGION -- Christian Theology -- Apologetics.
Manichaeism -- Controversial literature
Manicheïsme.
Genre/Form Criticism, interpretation, etc.
Form Electronic book
ISBN 142940812X
9781429408127
9789004138834
9004138838