The Spiritual Gospel
The Interpretation of the Fourth Gospel in the Early Church

This book surveys the Greek fathers' interpretations of the Gospel of John from the earliest surviving commentary (Heracleon, c. 170) up to the early fifth century.

Maurice F. Wiles (Author)

9780521673280, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 16 March 2006

196 pages
21.5 x 13.8 x 1.1 cm, 0.268 kg

This book surveys the Greek fathers' interpretations of the Gospel of John from the earliest surviving commentary (Heracleon, c. 170) up to the early fifth century. It examines key themes and passages from the gospel and the varying methods of exegesis applied to them by different commentators, giving special attention to the contrast between the schools of Alexandria (notably Origen and Cyril) and of Antioch (Theodore of Mopsuestia and John Chrysostom). Maurice Wiles identifies the distinctive insights of each commentator and teases out the rich diversity of interpretations that flourished in this early period. This discussion is set within the wider context of early Christian thought, including the controversies between the Gnostic, modalist and monarchian heresies and 'orthodox' Nicene doctrine.

Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction Commentaries and commentators
1. The authorship and purpose of the Gospel
2. The Fourth Gospel and the Synoptic Gospels
3. Historicity and symbolism
4. The signs
5. Leading ideas of the Gospel
6. The Fourth Gospel and the Gnostics
7. Christological interpretation in the third and fourth centuries
8. The Christological exegesis of Theodore and Cyril
9. The Gospel of salvation
Epilogue - An assessment
Bibliography
Indexes.

Subject Areas: Religion: general [HRA]