Teaching the Faith in Early Christianity: Divine and Human Agency

Abstract The present paper investigates the relationship between divine and human agency in teaching the Christian faith. While Christian education actually was conveyed by human beings (apostles, teachers, catechists, bishops), many authors claimed that the one and only teacher of Christianity is J...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Vigiliae christianae 2020-03, Vol.74 (2), p.129-164
Main Author: Gemeinhardt, Peter
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Abstract The present paper investigates the relationship between divine and human agency in teaching the Christian faith. While Christian education actually was conveyed by human beings (apostles, teachers, catechists, bishops), many authors claimed that the one and only teacher of Christianity is Jesus Christ, referring to Matt 23:8-9. By examining texts from the 2nd to the 5th century, different configurations of divine and human teaching are identified and discussed. The paper thereby highlights a crucial tension in Early and Late Antique Christianity relating to the possibilities and limitations of communicating the faith.
ISSN:0042-6032
1570-0720
0042-6032
DOI:10.1163/15700720-12341432