240 likes | 268 Views
Signs, Symbols and Serpents. Graydon F. Snyder, ANTE PACEM. Archaeological Evidence of Church Life before Constantine (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2003). Lamb Vase Boat Orante Bread Fish. Anchor Dove Olive branch Palm Good Shepherd Vine and grapes. Early Christian images.
E N D
Graydon F. Snyder, ANTE PACEM. Archaeological Evidence of Church Life before Constantine (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2003).
Lamb Vase Boat Orante Bread Fish Anchor Dove Olive branch Palm Good Shepherd Vine and grapes Early Christian images
Some References • Robin Jensen, Understanding Christian Art (London and New York: Routledge 2000) • Tertullian, 2nd - 3rd century, Latin • Epistle of Barnabas (among the Apostolic Fathers – ET in Pelican, Early Christian Writings) • Cyprian, later 3rd century, Latin • Justin Martyr, I Apology, mid-2nd century, Rome but writing in Greek • Minucius Felix, 2nd - 3rd century apologist, Latin • Ephrem Syrus, Syriac poet, 4th century
John 10.15, I Cor. 5.7, John 1.29. • Lactantius, 3rd – 4th century, Latin • Abraham and Isaac – in Epistle of Barnabas, Melito’s Peri Pascha, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Clement and Origen, Ambrose, Ephrem, John Chrysostom, Paulinus of Nola, Gregory of Nyssa, Theodoret and Augustine (Jensen’s list) • Moses against Amalek (Exodus 17.8-13) – Epistle of Barnabas 12, Justin, Dialogue with Trypho 90.
More References • Numbers 21.4-9 & John 3.14 • Epistle of Barnabas 12 • Justin, Dialogue with Trypho 91 • Irenaeus, Against Heresies IV.2 • Tertullian, Against Marcion II.22 • Against Heresies II
Gregory Nazianzus, Oration 45.22 • Basil of Caesarea, On the Holy Spirit 31 • Letters 260.8 • Theodoret, Eranistes III • Ambrose, On Duties III.15.94
Gnosticism • Plērōma • Sophia • Bythos • Gnōsis • Achamōth • Demiurge • Sōma - sēma
Serpents and Wisdom • Asclepius • The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead • Naas • Ophis • Naasenes or Ophites • Ben Sira = Ecclesiasticus • Philo • Epistle of Diognetus
Christ as Wisdom • I Corinthians 1.24 • Colossians 1.15-20 • Cf. Proverbs 8.22-31 • John 3.14 • Cf. Numbers 21.5-9
References • I Corinthians chapters 1-2; cf. Isaiah 29.14 • Job 28 • Ezekiel 28 • Philippians 2.6-8 • F. C. Burkitt, Church and Gnosis (CUP 1932, pbk 2011) • Hybris, nemesis • Romans 7.19, 5.14ff, I Cor.1.18ff, 2.8.