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Signs, Symbols and Serpents

Explore the depth of early Christian iconography from signs and symbols to the significance of serpents in religious imagery. Uncover the connections between biblical references and ancient wisdom traditions, shedding light on the spiritual depth of these artifacts.

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Signs, Symbols and Serpents

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  1. Signs, Symbols and Serpents

  2. Graydon F. Snyder, ANTE PACEM. Archaeological Evidence of Church Life before Constantine (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2003).

  3. Lamb Vase Boat Orante Bread Fish Anchor Dove Olive branch Palm Good Shepherd Vine and grapes Early Christian images

  4. 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

  5. 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.

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. Gnosticism • Plērōma • Sophia • Bythos • Gnōsis • Achamōth • Demiurge • Sōma - sēma

  9. Serpents and Wisdom • Asclepius • The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead • Naas • Ophis • Naasenes or Ophites • Ben Sira = Ecclesiasticus • Philo • Epistle of Diognetus

  10. Christ as Wisdom • I Corinthians 1.24 • Colossians 1.15-20 • Cf. Proverbs 8.22-31 • John 3.14 • Cf. Numbers 21.5-9

  11. 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.

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