Erkki Koskenniemi – författare

The problem of evil has preoccupied world religions for centuries. The Old Testament contained no uniform dogma on evil powers, launching a fierce debate that has dominated theological and philosophical thought through the centuries to this day. Evil and the Devil brings together contributions from leading inter national scholars to chart that debate, tracing the history of evil from its origins in the Old Testament through early Judaism and the New Testament to the thought of Origen and one of the topic's most influential theologians, Augustine. What role did evil adopt in ancient Judaism? What impact did the association of miracles with demons have upon Matthew's Gospel? Evil and the Devil examines such questions, resulting in a fascinating and comprehensive exploration of portrayals of evil and its power and influence on religious thought.

The problem of evil has preoccupied world religions for centuries. The Old Testament contained no uniform dogma on evil powers, launching a fierce debate that has dominated theological and philosophical thought through the centuries to this day. Evil and the Devil brings together contributions from leading inter national scholars to chart that debate, tracing the history of evil from its origins in the Old Testament through early Judaism and the New Testament to the thought of Origen and one of the topic''s most influential theologians, Augustine. What role did evil adopt in ancient Judaism? What impact did the association of miracles with demons have upon Matthew''s Gospel? Evil and the Devil examines such questions, resulting in a fascinating and comprehensive exploration of portrayals of evil and its power and influence on religious thought.

The contributors to this volume address the key institutions of the first and second Church, considering the development of rituals and sacraments, and the development of Church leadership, and of the Church itself. The first part of the book looks at the offices of the Church - the Apostolate and the development of other religious authorities - as well as the notion of Apostolic Tradition. The second part looks at the sacraments, with in-depth consideration of the Eucharist, and of Baptismal texts from the early Church. The essays are of interest to scholars researching the development of the early Church and of Church rituals and practices.

The contributors to this volume address the key institutions of the first and second Church, considering the development of rituals and sacraments, and the development of Church leadership, and of the Church itself. The first part of the book looks at the offices of the Church - the Apostolate and the development of other religious authorities - as well as the notion of Apostolic Tradition. The second part looks at the sacraments, with in-depth consideration of the Eucharist, and of Baptismal texts from the early Church. The essays are of interest to scholars researching the development of the early Church and of Church rituals and practices.

The contributors to this volume address the key institutions of the first and second Church, considering the development of rituals and sacraments, and the development of Church leadership, and of the Church itself. The first part of the book looks at the offices of the Church - the Apostolate and the development of other religious authorities - as well as the notion of Apostolic Tradition. The second part looks at the sacraments, with in-depth consideration of the Eucharist, and of Baptismal texts from the early Church. The essays are of interest to scholars researching the development of the early Church and of Church rituals and practices.

The problem of evil has preoccupied world religions for centuries. The Old Testament contained no uniform dogma on evil powers, launching a fierce debate that has dominated theological and philosophical thought through the centuries to this day. Evil and the Devil brings together contributions from leading inter national scholars to chart that debate, tracing the history of evil from its origins in the Old Testament through early Judaism and the New Testament to the thought of Origen and one of the topic's most influential theologians, Augustine. What role did evil adopt in ancient Judaism? What impact did the association of miracles with demons have upon Matthew's Gospel? Evil and the Devil examines such questions, resulting in a fascinating and comprehensive exploration of portrayals of evil and its power and influence on religious thought.

The Greeks and Romans often exposed their babies, especially if the child was of the wrong gender, malformed or from the wrong father--or, more simply, when a child was not needed. It was lawful, but Jewish and then Christian teachers did everything to prevent the practice among their own groups. Most of the arguments used by Christians were borrowed from their Jewish predecessors. The unique value of every human being and God''s commandments were emphasized in both religions. Above all, they considered a newborn child a person who was created and protected by her or his Creator.The book presents the most important texts, often dealing simultaneously with exposure and abortion. The texts are interesting, sometimes shocking. A world without Christian ethics could be very hard for a small child. The book helps every modern reader to take care that our societies treat gentler human lives in their earliest phases.

Hippon piispa Aurelius Augustinus (354-430), lisänimeltään ”Armon opettaja”, oli paitsi teologi myös yksi Rooman kirjallisuuden suurista nimistä. Hänen tuotannossaan yhdistyvät varhaiskristillinen ajattelu sekä Euroopan kreikkalais-roomalainen filosofia ja kulttuuriperintö.Jumalan valtio on Augustinuksen pääteos. Sen mukaan maailmassa elää rinnakkain ja sekaisin kaksi toisilleen vastakkaista valtiota, taivaallinen ja maallinen, ja maan päällä elää sekä armon saaneita että kadotukseen matkalla olevia. Teos esittää näiden kahden valtion olemuksen ja vaiheet maailman luomisesta alkaen.Ajatteluunsa Augustinus sai paljon vaikutteita antiikin filosofiasta, ja kristinuskoa hän tulkitsi uusplatonismin käsitteillä. Jumalan valtio sisältää runsaasti viittauksia antiikin kirjoittajiin, etenkin Vergiliuksen ja Ciceroon.Jumalan valtio on paitsi teologian ja filosofian klassikko myös valtio-opin ja kulttuurihistorian perusteos, joka nyt on saatavilla kokonaan suomeksi.Jumalan valtion ensimmäisessä osassa Augustinus pyrkii perustelemaan omaa kristittyä vakaumustaan ja torjumaan kristinuskon vastustajien väitteitä. Viidessä ensimmäisessä kirjassa (I-V) hän kumoaa käsityksen, jonka mukaan suuret onnettomuudet johtuvat siitä, että ihmiset eivät palvele monia jumalia. Viidessä jälkimmäisessä kirjassa (VI-X) hän kumoaa käsityksen, että monien jumalien palveleminen olisi hyödyksi kuolemanjälkeisessä elämässä.