This book challenges the popular use of 'Valentinian' to describe a Christian school of thought in the second century CE by analysing documents ascribed to 'Valentinians' by early Christian Apologists, and more recently by modern scholars after the discovery of codices near Nag Hammadi in Egypt. To this end, Ashwin-Siejkowski highlights the great diversity of views among Christian theologians associated with the label 'Valentinian', demonstrating their attachment to the Scriptures and Apostolic traditions as well as their dialogue with Graeco-Roman philosophies of their time. Among the various themes explored are 'myth' and its role in early Christian theology, the familiarity of the Gospel of Truth with Alexandrian exegetical tradition, Ptolemy's didactic in his letter to Flora, the image of the Saviour in the Interpretation of Knowledge, reception of the Johannine motifs in Heracleon's commentary and the Tripartite Tractate, salvation in the Excerpts from Theodotus, Christian identity in the Gospel of Philip, and reception of selected Johannine motifs in 'Valentinian' documents. Valentinus' Legacy and Polyphony of Voices will be an invaluable and accessible resource to students, researchers, and scholars of Early Christian theologies, as well as trajectories of exegesis in New Testament sources and the emerging of different Christian identities based on various Christologies.

This book examines Clement's project which brings together ethical, intellectual and spiritual development of a Christian while highlighting the need of search for integrity in the life of faith and reason. Approaches to Clement have traditionally either assessed the philosophical context of his thought or studied the adaptation of Greek legacy into a new Christian context as underpinning Clement's work. In this new study Piotr Ashwin-Siejkowski challenges and develops these approaches providing new and refreshing insights into Clement's understanding of Christian perfection.

The Creed is not simply a dogmatic, static and cryptic symbol of Christian faith, but, on the contrary, a lively narrative that can still inspire imagination, critical reflection and faith.The Apostles' Creed is an expression of Christian theology in a period of creative and fascinating debate. A challenge is issued to both those who have a literal interpretation of the Creed, and those who dismiss it as an incomprehensible relic of the past. The ancient debates that led to the formulation of the twelve pronouncements of the Apostles' Creed are raised. The richness of early Christian thought is fore-grounded by looking at the ideas behind each credal pronouncement, tracing the most important Christian theological debates that inspired each statement. Early Christian theology is not treated as 'unanimous', but as pluralistic. The polyphony of theologian opinion which characterized the Christianity of this period is therefore highlighted and celebrated.In explaining the context that gave birth to the Creed, this study refers to the testimony of various 'witnesses' of those theological arguments. This includes opponents of the Apostolic and Church Fathers: the Gnostics, 'heretics', Jewish and pagan critics of Christian faith.

Exploring the key documents, authors and themes of Early Christian traditions, this volume traces the vital trajectories of emerging distinctive Christian identity in the Graeco-Roman world. Special attention is given to the coherent growth of Christian faith in connection with worship, alongside the crucial transformation of Christian life and doctrine under the Christian Emperors. As well as offering a chronological development of the Early Church, the book examines the interaction between Christian worship and faith. In addition, readers interested in systematic theology can refer to chapters on the roots of some significant theological notions in Christian Antiquity, also with reference to ancient philosophy. Issues addressed include: * Distinctiveness of the Christian identity during the first centuries * Diversity of communities and their theologies * Connection between faith and worship * Transition from the persecuted minority to triumphant Church with Creeds * History of early Christian thought and modern systematic theology

Exploring the key documents, authors and themes of Early Christian traditions, this volume traces the vital trajectories of emerging distinctive Christian identity in the Graeco-Roman world. Special attention is given to the coherent growth of Christian faith in connection with worship, alongside the crucial transformation of Christian life and doctrine under the Christian Emperors. As well as offering a chronological development of the Early Church, the book examines the interaction between Christian worship and faith. In addition, readers interested in systematic theology can refer to chapters on the roots of some significant theological notions in Christian Antiquity, also with reference to ancient philosophy. Issues addressed include: · Distinctiveness of the Christian identity during the first centuries · Diversity of communities and their theologies · Connection between faith and worship · Transition from the persecuted minority to triumphant Church with Creeds · History of early Christian thought and modern systematic theology