Kosmiese mag in Pseudo-Aristoteles, De mundo, en die Nuwe Testament
Date
2012-02
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
AOSIS Publishing
Abstract
Cosmic power in Pseudo-Aristotle, De mundo, and the New Testament. In order to locate the
cosmological views underlying the writings of Paul and other New Testament (NT) authors
within their historical contexts it is necessary to compare them with other contemporary
worldviews, such as those expressed in philosophical writings of the period. New Testament
research has thus far concentrated on the most popular and influential philosophical traditions
of NT times, that is, Stoicism and Middle Platonism. Other philosophical traditions may
however also offer valuable insights. In this article I suggested that the De mundo attributed
to Aristotle but probably dating from the 1st century BCE or CE provides early evidence for
a splitting up of the demiurgic function of God in order to preserve God’s transcendence. I
furthermore argued that a similar division of divine functions is also evident in some NT texts,
for example, John 1, Colossians 1, and Hebrews 1. This notion is explored using Colossians 1
as example.
Description
CITATION: Thom, J. C. 2012. Kosmiese mag in Pseudo-Aristoteles, De mundo, en die Nuwe Testament. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 68(1): 1-7, doi: 10.4102/hts.v68i1.1102.
The original publication is available at http://www.hts.org.za
The original publication is available at http://www.hts.org.za
Keywords
Transcendence of God, Pseudo-Aristoteles, Theology -- Early works to 1800, Aristotle. De Munde, Philosophy, ancient, Philosophy and religion
Citation
Thom, J. C. 2012. Kosmiese mag in Pseudo-Aristoteles, De mundo, en die Nuwe Testament. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 68(1): 1-7, doi: 10.4102/hts.v68i1.1102