Marcionism in To Diognetus: a plea for Christians at the expense of Jews

Authors

  • A Van De Beek

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17570/ngtt.2002.v43n3.a23

Abstract

The early Christian writing Ad Diognetum clearly exhibits Marcionite features. It is, however, impossible that Marcion himself wrote it, as some authors argue, because the writer strongly stresses the monarchè. The text has striking similarities to the ideas of Apelles, to the extent we know them from Eusebius, though here too are differences. The last two chapters have Gnostic traits, though these cannot be fully separated from the rest of the writing.
The conclusion is that the booklet is a product of neo-Marcionite circles who are influenced by Gnosticism and who represent a type of Christianity that does not fit precisely in schematic divisions of Christianity. The character of the work on behalf of Christian apologetics is anti-Jewish, since it argues that Christians do not separate themselves from normal society. It is a plea for acceptance of Christians at the expense of Jews.

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Published

2015-07-31