RT Article
T1 Basil: Philosophical Literacy Meets Biblical Literalism?
JF Zeitschrift für antikes Christentum
VO 26
IS 1
SP 95
OP 106
A1 Brown, Andrew 1964-
LA English
YR 2022
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1814733833
AB Basil of Caesarea’s sermon series On the Hexaemeron occupies a vital place in the early development of the hexaemeral genre. In homily 9 he strongly avows a literal method as he interprets Gen 1, avoiding a figurative method sometimes compared or traced to Origen. Earlier, Basil's dismissive comments might give the impression that he renounced all use of philosophy, natural and metaphysical, in his interpretation of Genesis. Yet parts of his homilies employ current philosophical categories, and he happily employs moral typology in relation to the plants and animals mentioned in Gen 1. These tensions warrant re-examination of the connection between Basil's commitment to a literal interpretation articulated early in homily 9 and his attitude to secular learning. In a sermon series for a general audience, pastoral purposes prevail over intellectual exploration; Basil limits his temptation to indulge in metaphysical speculation. Moreover, Gen 1 itself as a creation narrative seems to Basil to demand realistic and thus a literal treatment. But this literalism does not entail a thoroughgoing rejection of classical philosophy despite his throw-away comments. But he does curtail his philosophical discourse as spiritual benefits diminish and spiritual risks for his listeners increase.
K1 Cappadocian Fathers
K1 Creation
K1 Early Christian Literature
K1 Fathers of the church
K1 Genesis
K1 Hexaemeral literature
K1 Saint Basil (Bp of Caesarea
K1 Saint Basil (Bp of Caesarea, approximately 329-379)
K1 approximately 329-379)
K1 history of interpretation
K1 Philosophy and religion
K1 Reception History
DO 10.1515/zac-2022-0015