‘God has had Mercy on Me’: Theology and Soteriology in Philo of Alexandria’s de Sacrificiis Abelis et Caini

Philo of Alexandria’s treatise De sacrificiis Abelis et Caini offers a rich example of his theology and soteriology. The majestic God of De sacrificiis is transcendent, omnipresent, and absolutely unique. Anthropomorphic and anthropopathic conceptions of God also are memorably discussed and dismisse...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Mackie, Scott D. 1964- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Oxford University Press 2021
In: The journal of theological studies
Year: 2021, Volume: 72, Issue: 2, Pages: 709-737
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Philo, Alexandrinus 25 BC-40, De sacrificiis Abelis et Caini / Theology / Soteriology
IxTheo Classification:FA Theology
HD Early Judaism
NBK Soteriology
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
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Summary:Philo of Alexandria’s treatise De sacrificiis Abelis et Caini offers a rich example of his theology and soteriology. The majestic God of De sacrificiis is transcendent, omnipresent, and absolutely unique. Anthropomorphic and anthropopathic conceptions of God also are memorably discussed and dismissed. Standing in tension with these ontological characteristics are relational attributes of God, which often are expressed in redemptive acts. Thus, the merciful God of De sacrificiis ‘transcends his transcendence’, and compassionately reaches out to humans in need. A full array of soteriological themes populate the pages of the treatise, including the war against the passions, the allegory of the soul, transformative revelatory experiences, salvific worship, contemplative ascent, and the vision of God. Furthermore, the agential acts and roles played by God and humans are complexly intertwined, demonstrating a sophisticated, experientially informed soteriology. Though these important Philonic themes typically are interpreted thematically and systemically, thus ‘ironing out’ any idiosyncrasies, this essay closely attends to the particular thought of this treatise. As a consequence, unique elements and emphases emerge, which in addition to distinctive depictions of divine compassion and soteriological agency, include a Stoic emphasis on reason, the relative absence of mediatorial figures, and a rare portrayal of an unequivocal visio Dei.
ISSN:1477-4607
Contains:Enthalten in: The journal of theological studies
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1093/jts/flab064