Early Christianity and ancient astrology / / Tim Hegedus.

• Superior document: Patristic studies, v. 6
• Author: Hegedus, Tim, 1958-
• Year of Publication: 2007
• Language: English
• Series: Patristic studies (Peter Lang Publishing) ; v. 6.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (414 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.

Early Christianity and Ancient Astrology explores a variety of responses to astrology, the most popular form of divination among early Christians in Greco-Roman antiquity. After a brief overview of ancient astrological theory and a survey of polemical responses to it, this book documents instances in which early Christian writers and communities incorporated astrology positively into their beliefs and practices. This study is of interest to students of early Christianity and of Greco-Roman religion and to those concerned with interfaith relations or with issues of Christian unity and diversity. It is particularly recommended for use in courses on the history of Christianity and on the religions of Greco-Roman antiquity.

Table of Contents

""Table of Contents""; ""Acknowledgments""; ""List of Abbreviations""; ""1. Introduction""; ""Greco-Roman Astrology: A Brief Outline""; ""Greco-Roman Astrology and Early Christianity""; ""Notes""; ""Part A: Studies in Early Christian Anti-Astrological Polemic""; ""Notes""; ""2. The Argument of Practical Impossibility""; ""Notes""; ""3. The Argument of Different Destinies""; ""General Discussion of the Argument""; ""Astrology in the Early Career of Augustine""; ""Astrology in Augustine's""; ""Augustine and the Argument of Twins""; ""Augustine's Knowledge of Astrology""

""Astrology among the Liberal Arts""""Notes""; ""4. The Argument of Common Destinies""; ""Notes""; ""5. The Argument of Νο’μιμα Βαρβαρικα’ ""; ""General Discussion of the Argument""; ""Use of Particular Νο’μιμα Βαρβαρικα’""; ""Astrological Geography and Arguments Against it""; ""Notes""; ""6. The Argument from Animals""; ""Notes""; ""7. The Moral Argument""; ""Astrology Denies Freedom of the Will""; ""Astrology Overthrows all Systems of Morality and Justice""; ""Astrology Nullifies Religious Worship and Renders Prayer Useless""; ""Notes""

""8. Astrology as the Work of Demons""""Notes""; ""9. Christian Condemnations of Astrology in a Broader Context""; ""Astrology, Magic and Divination""; ""Astrology as Heterodoxy""; ""Notes""; ""10. Opposition to Astrology and Early Christian Doctrine""; ""Creation and Providence""; ""Sin and Evil""; ""Salvation""; ""Notes""; ""11. Pastoral Problems Posed by Astrology""; ""Notes""; ""Part B: Early Christian Accommodation of Astrology""; ""12. Archaeological and Non-Literary Sources""; ""Notes""; ""13. Matthew 2.1-12 and Its Interpretation in Early Christian Tradition""

""The Magi and the Star in Matthew 2.1-12""""The Magi in Early Christian Interpretation of Matthew 2.1-12""; ""The Star in Early Christian Interpretation of Matthew 2.1-12""; ""Notes""; ""14. Astrological Themes Elsewhere in the Canonical Gospels and in Paul""; ""The Canonical Gospels""; ""The Pauline Writings""; ""Notes""; ""15. The Book of Revelation""; ""Revelation 4.6-7: The Four Living Creatures""; ""Taurus Scorpio""; ""Leo Aquarius""; ""Revelation 12. 1-17""; ""Notes""; ""16. Bardaisan""; ""Notes""; ""17. Groups Identified in Hippolytus""

""Allegorizers of Aratus (Arateans)""""The Peratae""; ""The Elchasaites""; ""Notes""; ""18. Tertullian""; ""Notes""; ""19. Pseudo-Clementine Homilies and Recognitions""; ""Astrology in the Pseudo-Clementine Narrative""; ""Pseudo-Clementine Recognitions 1. 27-71""; ""Notes""; ""20. Origen""; ""Notes""; ""21. Priscillian and the Priscillianists""; ""Notes""; ""22. Zeno of Verona,""; ""1.38""; ""Notes""; ""23. Conclusion""; ""Notes""; ""Bibliography of Secondary Sources""; ""Index""