The past is prologue : the revolution of Nicene historiography / by Thomas C. Ferguson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ferguson, Thomas C.

Series:

Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae ; v. 75.

Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae, 0920-623X ; v. 75

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Theology, Doctrinal--History--Early church, ca. 30-600--Historiography.

Theology, Doctrinal.

Christian heresies--History--Early church, ca. 30-600--Historiography.

Christian heresies.

Church history--Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600--Historiography.

Church history.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (240 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2005.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

While there has been substantial scholarly work done on the development of Christian doctrine in the fourth and fifth centuries, very little corresponding attention has been paid to the writing of church history during this critical period. This work examines how authors began to construct the historical narrative of the “Arian” controversy and focuses on the interplay between theology and worshipping communities. Major figures such as Eusebius and Athanasius are examined, and important but overlooked figures such as an anonymous non-Nicene chronicler and Philostorgius are also included. In the introduction the book surveys recent developments in the study of “Arianism” and discusses the usefulness of the very category of an “Arian controversy.” Subsequent chapters set forth the thesis that church histories are important sources for understanding the development of doctrine. A chapter is devoted to Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History, especially the oft-overlooked Book X. Further chapters explore the role of Rufinus as the first extant author to write a continuation of Eusebius. The work also consciously includes marginalized non-Nicene sources, and there are chapters which examine an anonymous non-Nicene chronicler and the Ecclesiastical History of the Eunomian Philostorgius of Borissus. The book is particularly useful for persons interested in examining the development of doctrine in the fourth century from fresh perspectives. The work approaches church histories as narrative myths of community origins produced by worshipping communities standing in continuity to local schools of thought.

Contents:

Preliminary material

INTRODUCTION: THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF THE “ARIAN” CONTROVERSY

THE EUSEBIAN PRELUDE: BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOL

THE CHRONICON PASCHALE AND NON-NICENE HISTORIOGRAPHY

RUFINUS OF AQUILEIA AND THE BEGINNINGS OF NICENE HISTORIOGRAPHY

OTHER VOICES, OTHER ROOMS: THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF PHILOSTORGIUS

CONCLUSION: THE REVOLUTION OF NICENE HISTORIOGRAPHY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

FRAGMENTS FROM A NON-NICENE CHRONICLER INTRODUCTION TO THE TEXT

INDEX.

Notes:

Originally presented as the author's thesis (doctoral)--Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, 2002.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [171]-177) and index.

ISBN:

1-280-86835-X

9786610868353

1-4294-5347-8

90-474-0783-0

1-4337-0577-X

OCLC:

182530385

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789047407836 DOI