Seeing God in Philo of Alexandria

Contemplative Ascent and Visionary Experience

AvScott D. Mackie

Inbunden, Engelska, 2026

Del i serien SUNY series in Ancient Greek Philosophy

1 923 kr

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Beskrivning

The first in-depth treatment in almost a century of the metaphysics and philosophical mysticism of Philo of Alexandria, one of the most important mystics from the Greco-Roman world.Philo of Alexandria (ca. 15 BCE–50 CE) is one of the most important mystics of the ancient Mediterranean world. Accounts of ecstatic experiences and transformative encounters with God appear throughout his writings, and his most loved and lauded mystical experience, the vision of God, stands at the heart of his philosophical and exegetical efforts. Given its significance and complexity, a wide range of topics intersect with the visio Dei, including the metaphysics and mysticism of ancient philosophy; Greco-Roman and ancient Jewish accounts of epiphany, theophany, and heavenly ascent; theories of vision and the sociocultural implications of the gaze; divine and human agency; and Platonic contemplative practices, such as noetic ascent, asceticism, and the pursuit of virtue. Scott D. Mackie's study examines these many topics and contends that Philo's accounts of the ascent to the visio Dei, though ambiguous and occasionally inconsistent, attempt to represent actual experience. In fact, many of the ambiguities result from his desire to realistically portray a complex and uncertain experience that is ultimately inscrutable and beyond the control of the contemplative.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2026-08-01
Mått:152 x 229 x 35 mm
Format:Inbunden
Språk:Engelska
Serie:SUNY series in Ancient Greek Philosophy
Antal sidor:432
Förlag:State University of New York Press
ISBN:9798855808353

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Mer om författaren

Scott D. Mackie has taught Biblical studies and Christian history courses at Chapman University, Loyola Marymount University, and Fuller Seminary. He is the author of Eschatology and Exhortation in the Epistle to the Hebrews and the editor of The Letter to the Hebrews: Critical Readings.

Recensioner i media

"In tackling this central theme in Philo’s thought, Scott D. Mackie reveals a remarkably broad and judicious knowledge of the relevant literature in both ancient philosophy and biblical studies. This is combined with an intimate knowledge of the Philonic corpus, every part of which—and it is huge—is covered in the book. Mackie also shows an admirable acquaintance with current preoccupations and trends, including neuroscience and feminist theology." — David T. Runia, University of Melbourne/Australia Catholic University.

Innehållsförteckning

Acknowledgments IntroductionPart One: Theories of Vision and Sense Perception1. Ancient Theories of Vision2. Sense Perception and EpistemologyPart Two: Theology, Metaphysics, and Visions of the Divine3. Epiphanies in the Greco-Roman world4. Greco-Roman Philosophical Conceptions of God and Metaphysical Cosmology5. The God of the Hebrew Bible and the Septuagint6. Philo's Conception of God and Metaphysical CosmologyPart Three: The Object of the Vision, Agency, and Methods7. The Object of the Vision of God: the Logos, the Powers, or God?8. The Effectual Means of the Vision of God9. The Ascent to the Vision: Means and MethodsPart Four: Mysticism10. Philo's Mysticism and the Vision of God11. An Example of Philo's Mysticism: "The Passion of Eve and the Ecstasy of Hannah" (Ebr. 143–152)ConclusionNotesBibliographyIndex