Philo of Alexandria - Hardcover

Danielou, Jean

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 149820550X ISBN 13: 9781498205504

Publisher: Wipf and Stock, 2014

Synopsis

Philo of Alexandria was a few years older than Jesus of Nazareth and lived longer. He belonged to a wealthy and cultured family, prominent in the Jewish community in Alexandria. Philo had contacts with the highest level of Roman authorities. He was on a risky diplomatic mission to Caligula on behalf of the persecuted Jews of Alexandria during what turned out to be Caligula's last days. Herod Agrippa was a friend in Rome during Philo's hour of greatest need. Philo is a sympathetic source on what sounds very much like a contemporary Jewish monastic movement. He is also one of the creators of the allegorical interpretation of Scripture. Some of his exegesis is reminiscent of Pythagorean numerology. It has been argued that Philo, who was well educated in Greek thought, was the founder of medieval philosophy. St. John seems to adapt Philo's thoughts about the Logos, the Word, in the prologue to his Gospel. There are also close ties between Philo's thinking and the Letter to the Hebrews. Jean Danielou, a paradigm of scholarship and clarity, makes Philo speak to us in his own voice. Anyone interested in patristics, exegesis, or simply Christian beginnings will benefit by reading Danielou's treatment of Philo.

About this title

About the Authors

Jean Danielou, SJ (1905-74) was a Jesuit theologian, historian, cardinal, and a member of the Academie francaise. He is the author of several books on the early church.

Étienne Gilson (1884-1974) was a medievalist who taught at various French institutions, including the Collège de France. Among his numerous works are The Spirit of Medieval Philosophy, his 1931 and 1932 Gifford Lectures (Cascade, 2019), and Medieval Essays (Cascade, 2011).

Edition details

• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 149820550X
• ISBN 13: 9781498205504
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 202