Cover

Table of Contents

Abbreviations

Introduction

Allen Brent: Can There Be Degrees of Docetism?

I. Methodological Considerations

II. The Issue at Stake: Differentiation between Reality and Appearance

1. The Resurrection according to Ignatius of Antioch

2. The Resurrection according to the Gospels of Matthew and Mark

3. The Resurrection according to the Gospel of John

4. Evidence for “Docetists” in Irenaeus of Lyons

5. Evidence of Valentinus Regarding Flesh and Spirit of the Saviour

6. A First Review of the Evidence Presented

7. The Resurrection according to the Gospel of Luke

III. The Earliest Use of the Τerm Δοκηταί

1. Serapion of Antioch

2. Clement of Alexandria

3. Irenaeus of Lyons

IV. Concluding Remarks

Jörg Frey: “Docetic-like” Christologies and the Polymorphy of Christ: A Plea for Further Consideration of Diversity in the Discussion of “Docetism”

I. “Docetism” and Johannine Scholarship

II. The Issue of Definition in Scholarship

1. Johannine and Ignatian Problems

2. The Unresolved Problems of “Definition” in Scholarship

III. Some Aspects of the Development of Christology

1. Early Jewish Texts

2. Questions Posed in a Gentile Context

3. Early Christian Texts Reacting to the Questions

4. Answers of the Johannine Prologue

5. Answers of Later (Proto‑) Orthodox Texts

6. Stories about Jesus’ Appearances after His Resurrection

7. Texts with Angelomorphic Concepts

IV. The Variety of “Docetic-Like” Christological Concepts in the Second Century

1. Pneuma-Christology

2. Logos-Christology

3. Angelic Docetism

4. Docetic Teachings of Satornilus and Cerdo

5. An Angelomorphic Jesus in the Pseudo-Clementines

6. The Teaching of the Ebionites and Cerinthus

V. Metamorphosis and Polymorphy

1. Metamorphoses in the Ascension of Isaiah

2. Metamorphoses in the Epistula Apostolorum

3. Polymorphy in the Gospel of Philip (NHC II,3) and the Gospel of Peter

4. The Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles

VI. Conclusion

Francis Watson: Pauline Reception and the Problem of Docetism

I. Humanity as Disguise

II. The Saviour’s Temporary Enfleshment

III. The Gospel, the Apostle, and the Unborn Christ

Paul Foster: Christophany Stories in the Synoptic Gospels and Docetism

I. Introduction

II. What Is a “Christophany”?

III. Traditions in the Synoptic Gospels with Christophanic Potential

1. The Infancy Stories (Mt 1–2; Lk 1–2)

2. The Baptism Accounts (Mt 3:13–17; Mk 1:9–11; Lk 3:31–22)

3. Jesus Stills the Storm (Mt 8:18,23–27; Mk 4:35–41; Lk 8:22–25)

4. Jesus Walks on Water (Mt 14:22–33; Mk 6:45–51)

5. The Transfiguration (Mt 17:1–13; Mk 9:2–13; Lk 9:28–36)

6. Resurrection Appearances (Mt 28:1–10,16–20; Mk 16:9–20; Lk 24:13–53)

IV. Conclusion: Christophanic Traditions with Docetic Potential

Jens Schröter: Eucharistie, Auferstehung und Vermittlung des ewigen Lebens: Beobachtungen zu Johannes und Ignatius (mit einem Ausblick auf Justin, Irenäus und das Philippusevangelium)

I. Der sogenannte „eucharistische Abschnitt“ in Joh 6,51c–58

1. Christologie und Eucharistie in Johannes 6

2. Zur Diskussion über die Entstehung von Johannes 6

3. Johannes 6 im Kontext frühchristlicher Herrenmahlstraditionen

4. Zusammenfassung

II. Ignatius

III. Ausblick: Justin, Irenäus und das Philippusevangelium

IV. Schluss

Reimund Bieringer: The Passion Narrative in the Gospel of John: A Hotbed of Docetism?

I. Evidence of the True Humanity of Jesus in John 18–19

II. Evidence Potentially Minimizing the True Humanity of Jesus in John 18–19

1. A True Human Being in Control

2. More Than a Human Being

III. Conclusion

Maarten J. J. Menken: The Secessionists of the Johannine Epistles and Docetism

I. A Reconstruction of the Theological Views of the Secessionists

II. Were the Secessionists Docetists?

III. Conclusion

Alistair C. Stewart: Ignatius’ “Docetists”: A Survey of Opinions and Some Modest Suggestions

I. Introduction

II. Ignatius as a Hadrianic Figure

III. Ignatius’ Opponents

1. Ignatius versus an Angel-Christology?

2. Were the Opponents “Phantasmal” Docetists?

3. Ignatius adversus Basiliden

4. Christ’s Apparent Suffering

5. Ignatius adversus Cerinthum

IV. An Impasse and a New Avenue of Exploration

1. The Epistula Apostolorum as Key to the Ignatian Disputes

2. Further Reflections on the Evidence of Epistula Apostolorum

V. A Partial and Provisional Conclusion

Paul Anthony Hartog: The Impact of the Christological Controversies : Comparing the Ignatian Kerygma and Romans 1

I. Smyrnaeans 1 and Romans 1

II. Comparisons in William R. Schoedel and Charles Thomas Brown

III. Emphasis upon the Incarnation

IV. Other Differentiations

V. The Prophets and the Gospel

VI. Conclusion

Dominika Kurek-Chomycz: “… the Flesh of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, Which Suffered for Our Sins”: The Early Christian “Dying for” Formula, Suffering, and the Eucharist in IgnSm 7:1

I. Introductory Remarks

II. The “Dying for” Formula in the Ignatian Corpus

III. The “Flesh Which Suffered for Our Sins” in IgnSm 7:1

IV. The “Flesh Which Suffered” in the Broader Context of Ignatius’ Letters

V. Concluding Remarks

Taras Khomych: Conflicting Choreographies? Dance as Doctrinal Expression in Ignatius’ Ephesians 19 and Acts of John 94–96

I. Ancient Chorus

II. Celestial Chorus in Ignatius’ Ephesians 19

III. Divine Dance in the Acts of John

IV. Acts of John 94–96

V. Comparing the Choruses

VI. Concluding Remarks

Winrich Löhr: A Variety of Docetisms: Valentinus, Basilides and Their Disciples

I. An Encratite Christology: Valentinus

II. Soteriological Christologies: The School of Valentinus

1. The First Version of Valentinian Christology

2. The Second Version of Valentinian Christology

3. Differences between Eastern and Italian Valentinian Christology

4. Further Divisions Regarding the Body of Christ

5. The Christology of Alexander

III. A Christological Mind-Game: The Basilideans

1. Manichean Christologies Influenced by the Basilidean Model?

2. Muslim Christologies Influenced by the Basilidean Model?

IV. Conclusion

List of Contributors

Index of References

Old Testament

New Testament

Ancient Texts, Authors and Names

Index of Modern Authors

Index of Subjects