Hildebrands book, as well as the series, is for someone who already has a lay of the forest, as it were, and has begun studying a few of its trees. Basil of caesarea is thought of most often as an opponent of heresy and a pioneer of monastic life in the eastern church. Saint basil bishop of caesarea free fasciculus rerum graecarum ecclesiasticarum. The hexaemeron is the title of nine homilies delivered by st. Librivox recording of the hexaemeron, by basil of caesarea. I recently read through basil of caesareas classic work on the holy spirit. Basil of caesarea is considered one of the architects of the pronicene trinitarian doctrine adopted at the council of constantinople in 381, which eastern and western christians to this day profess as orthodox. Caesarea continued to be a city of some importance even in the time of the crusades, and the name still lingers on the site kaisariyeh, which is a complete desolation, many of the buildingstones having been carried to other towns. Saint basil the great, early church father who defended the orthodox faith against the arian heresy. Basil the great to students on greek literature, to students on greek literature, st. Basil is depicted in icons as thin and ascetic with a long, tapering black beard.
Stephen m hildebrand this introduction to the thought of basil of caesarea surveys his theological, spiritual, and monastic writings, showing the importance of his work for contemporary theology and spirituality. A synthesis of greek thought and biblical truth 97808217178. It brings together various aspects of basils thought into a single whole and explores his uniqueness and creativity as a theologian. Theologically, basil was a supporter of the nicene faction of the church, in opposition to arianism on one side and the followers of apollinaris of. This introduction to basil s thought surveys his theological, spiritual, and monastic writings, showing the importance of his work for contemporary theology and spirituality. The book of saint basil the great, bishop of caesarea in. Basil of caesarea project gutenberg selfpublishing. Basil of caesarea provides an excellent introduction to the thought of basil the great. Lewis ayres, durham university basil of caesarea is the giant of the fourthcentury theologians, and he intimidates many who approach his works today. Fourthcentury church father basil of caesarea was an erudite scripture commentator, an architect of trinitarian theology, a founder of monasticism, and a metropolitan bishop. He fought a growing heresy, arianism, that had found converts, including those in high positions of state. Find all the books, read about the author, and more.
This classic exposition of trinitarian doctrine eloquently sets forth the distinction yet perpetual communion of the divine persons. Buy basil of caesarea foundations of theological exegesis and christian spirituality 1st edition by hildebrand, stephen m. Basil on the the cosmogony of the opening chapters of genesis. Moreover, he introduces not merely a corpus of ancient texts but also their author. He was an influential 4th century christian theologian and monastic. The foundations of theological exegesis and christian spirituality series critically recovers patristic exegesis and interpretation for contemporary theology and spirituality. As bishop of caesarea, he wrote several works on monasticism, theology, and canon law. It views basil against the backdrop of a roman empire that was adopting christianity. Highly recommended for theologians and pastor theologians. Christian, humanist, ascetic a sixteenhundredth anniversary symposium, 2 vols. Basil of caesarea, gregory of nyssa, and the transformation of divine simplicity oxford early christian studies 1st edition. In this new biographical study, however, controversy is no longer seen as the central preoccupation of his life nor are his ascetic initiatives viewed as separable from his pastoral concern for all christians. Basils reputation as a theologian has grown remarkablyand deservedlyin the past few years. If youre only interested in his theology, read andrew raddegallwitzs book basil of caesarea.
Bishop of caesarea mazaca in cappadocia, asia minor modernday turkey. Stephen hildebrands book is a very welcome introduction to the new basil. Prefatory remarks on the need of exact investigation of the most minute portions of theology. Basil is one of the cappadocian fathers and this work on the holy spirit was hugely influential in the council of constantinoples editing and affirmation of the nicene creed, including stronger language on the deity of the spirit.
How does saint basil of caesaria present the holy spirit in his books. Basil of caesarea by philip rousseau paperback university of. He was an influential theologian who supported the nicene creed and opposed the heresies of the early christian church, fighting. This book introduces early christian theology by focusing on one particularly influential figure, basil of caesarea ca. In this chapter hildebrand explains basils understanding of man as a reader this includes a very interesting explanation of basils interpretation of genesis 1. In the former category, hildebrand first emerged with his 2009 book the trinitarian theology of basil of caesarea.
Fedwick, basilius caesariensis, studies of basil of caesarea and his world. In this new biographical study, however, controversy is no longer seen as the central preoccupation of his life nor are his ascetic initiatives. A intensively thinking theologian, he was instrumental in the formation of the nicene creed. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Basil caesarea christian humanist ascetic abebooks. A thoughtful theologian, he was instrumental in the formation of the nicene creed. Jones through this work traces the theologians and theological issues leading up to basils day, providing a rich background for the settings which framed his thought. This book introduces early christian theology by focusing on one particularly influential figure. Basil of caesareas gifts as church politician and monastic founder have attracted much attention in recent scholarly literature, though his importance as a thinker and theologian had been neglected in favor of his younger brother, gregory of nyssa. Hildebrand now takes his place alongside such significant basilian scholars as. He was an influential theologian who supported the nicene creed and opposed the heresies of.
Basil of caesarea foundations of theological exegesis and. Basil of caesarea 329379 ad was a greek bishop in what is now turkey. Saint basil the great, archbishop of caesarea in cappadocia, belongs not to the church of caesarea alone, nor merely to his own time, nor was he of benefit only to his own kinsmen, but rather to all lands and cities worldwide, and to all people he brought and still brings benefit, and for. Andrew raddegallwitz is assistant professor of theology at loyola university chicago and author of basil of caesarea. The term hexameron refers either to the genre of theological treatise that describes gods work on the six days of creation or to the six days of creation themselves. Mark delcogliano is an adjunct professor of theology at the university of st. Basil of caesarea wikisource, the free online library. Basil the great bibliography books at amazon early church texts. Vested as bishop, wearing omophorion, holding a gospel book or scroll. This book is relatively short and goes into detail about basils doctrinal theology, which he studies in its historical context.
This introduction to basils thought surveys his theological, spiritual, and monastic writings, showing the importance of his work for contemporary theology and spirituality. In the latter category, we have on the holy spirit. The principal theological writings of basil are his on the holy spirit, a lucid and edifying appeal to scripture and early christian tradition to prove the divinity of the holy spirit, and his refutation of the apology of the impious eunomius, written in 363 or 364, three books against eunomius of cyzicus, the chief exponent of anomoian arianism. Studying the early church can feel like entering a maze of bishops, emperors, councils, and arcane controversies. Basil the great, in the popular patristics series from st. Basil of caesarea by stephen hildebrand, 97818853782, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. This unique volume examines the life and thought of basil of caesarea. Basil of caesarea cascade companions raddegallwitz, andrew on. The hexaemeron by basil of caesarea free at loyal books. Rather than come from an academic and dry perspective, marvin explicates basil s influence and theology.
It focuses more on his life and the history of the times than the nuances of his doctrinal teaching. Basil of caesarea was a socalled spiritfighter, that is to say someone who. Basil of caesarea is the giant of the fourthcentury theologians, and he intimidates many who approach his works today. This introduction to the thought of basil of caesarea surveys his theological, spiritual, and monastic writings, showing the importance of his work for contemporary theology and spirituality. Most often these theological works take the form of commentaries on genesis. The volume engages specialized scholarship on basil but makes his. Regarded as one of the three hierarchs or pillars of orthodoxy along with gregory of nazianzus and john chrysostom, basil is a key figure in. The origin of the heretics close observation of syllables. As in his previous works on fourth and fifthcentury ascetics, including a monograph on pachomius, the author offers the serious reader an incisive and refreshing commentary on why and how basil of caesarea 330379 became bishop, and whether or not he may be considered a typical prelate of the fourthcentury church. While hildebrands basil of caesarea hereafter basil is a reliable guide, it is not for the beginner for an excellent introduction to basil, see andrew raddegallwitzs basil of caesarea.
Thomas in minnesota and author of basil of caesareas antieunomian theory of names. His life and impact the early church fathers jones, marvin on. In basils day, christians were looking for unity in the teaching and practice of their faith. Without explicitly calling the spirit god, st basil demonstrates that he, like the son, is of the same nature with the father. The book of saint basil the great, bishop of caesarea in cappadocia, on the holy spirit, written to amphilochius, bishop of iconium, against the.
In this clearly written book, andrew raddegallwitz helps us see basils brilliance as a. Basil of caesarea, also called saint basil the great greek. Fourthcentury church father basil of caesarea was an erudite scri. A guide to his life and doctrine, cascade books, 2012. His life and impact, he takes a look into what made basil so important in the forging of the early church, how his theology helped fuel his faith, and what made basil so darn interesting. Basil of caesarea ad 32978, called the great by later generations, was one of the fourth centurys greatest theologians and pastors. Saint basil the great, archbishop of caesarea in cappadocia, belongs not to the church of caesarea alone, nor merely to his own time, nor was he of benefit only to his own kinsmen, but rather to all lands and cities worldwide, and to all people he brought and still brings benefit, and for christians he always was and will be a most salvific teacher. Lewis ayres, durham university basil of caesarea is the giant of the fourthcentury. Hildebrand brings together a lengthy introduction to his life and thought with a selection of extracts from his diverse works in new translations, with each extract accompanied.
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