This volume illuminates the work and influences of three leading antique theologians from a different perspective than the usual history of Christian dogma. With his anthropology of freedom, Origen founded scientific Biblical exegesis and theology in line with the standards of his day and laid the foundations for a Christian culture. Jerome was the greatest philologist of the Early Church. Thanks to his knowledge of Hebrew, he transmitted not only Greek but also Jewish Biblical knowledge to the Latin West through his translations and commentaries. Augustine was influenced by both these figures, but in a critical dialogue with them he developed an independent and highly influential Latin theology.

The nine preserved Latin homilies on Isaiah represent a little-known work by Origen, translated here into German for the first time. Short annotations are provided to clarify difficult passages. Besides covering the historical process in which Origen's Isaiah interpretation has been handed down, the extensive introduction explains the exegetical, historical-theological and historical-philosophical contexts of the homiliesa (TM) wealth of perspectives. In these homilies Origen addressed his congregation on themes such as the historical salutary role of Israel, the a oeobduracya which befell it and its ascendancy to God in thought and deed.