The Son is Truly Son: The Trinitarian and Christological Theology of Eusebius of Caesarea (Studia Traditionis Theologiae: Explorations in Early and Medieval Theology, 46)

Description

Theology in the early fourth century was engrossed with questions about the nature of the Son of God in relation to the Father. How was he 'from the essence' of the Father? Was there a time when he was not? While generally treated as a minor footnote in the development of trinitarian and christological theology by most modern scholars, Eusebius of Caesarea provides a rich and original contribution to these debates about the trinity and theology in the midst of the Arian controversy. This project explores the theological framework of Eusebius, focusing specifically on his understanding of the Son of God. Therein, it proposes and employs an underutilized lens to view the bishop - according to his exegetical strategies and his explicitly theological works. In doing so, Eusebius' primary understanding of the nature and role of the second person of the Trinity comes to the fore: the Son is truly Son. By focusing on his theology of the Son in multiple facets - trinitarianism, cosmology, soteriology, and Christology - his unique theological contribution to the church becomes clear. Eusebius is an important transmitter of Origenian theology and a foundational thinker for the later fourth and early fifth century. Acknowledgments Abbreviations Works of Eusebius Series and Journals Note on Translations and Citations Introduction Reconsidering Eusebius This Study Project Outline Eusebius on the Trinity Defining the Trinity Oὐσíα Creatio ex Nihilo Ὑπόστασις Trinitarian Theology of Persons Father Son Holy Spirit Unity of the Godhead Conclusion Cosmological Son: God in Creation The Unknowable Father The Weakness of Creation The Mediating Son Image of the Invisible God The Anointed One: The Priest-King of Hebrews The Marcellan Debate: Δια and the Cosmological Role of the Son in the New Testament Creative and Kingly: Christ’s Mediation in the Old Testament and Beyond Conclusion: The Mediator A Soteriology of Knowledge: Christ as Teacher in Eusebius Eusebian Images for Christ as Savior The Students: Enslaved Humanity The Course: Christian Monotheism The Teacher: Christ The Outcome: The Ends of Salvific Knowledge Conclusion No Mere Man: The Unitive Theology of the Incarnate Christ Twofold Existence True Assumption of Humanity Eusebius on the Soul of Christ The Divine Nature: The Impassibility of the Word One Christ The Unified Christ in the Crucifixion Conclusion Conclusions Bibliography Indexes Scripture Ancient Authors Modern Authors Subjects