Pursuing Veritas

Reflections by Jacob J. Prahlow
  • Scripture among the Apologists: Theophilus’s Jewish Sources

    In the Antiochene context, Jews and Christians existed quite comfortably alongside each other until the seventh century.[i] It is not surprising, then, to see that Theophilus’ thought was indebted to Judaism.[ii] The influence of Jewish Sources on Ad Autolycum may be categorized into four classes: Hellenistic Judaistic Thought, Prophetic Materials, Wisdom Literature, and the Cosmogony…

  • Recommended Reading: December 17

    If you read one article this week, look at The Dangers of Echo Chambers on Campus by Nicholas Kristof. For those of you with additionally reading time this weekend, check out the following selections, gathered from around the blogging world. I will be taking a blogging break the next couple of weeks (though the Scripture…

  • Scripture among the Apologists: Theophilus’ Greco-Roman Sources

    At face value, Theophilus appears to have had extensive training in Greek philosophy and rhetoric, as he draws upon a host of classical sources including Homer, Plato, Euripides, Orpheus, and the Sibyl.[i] Though he presents a plethora of quotes from a variety of philosophical schools of thought, most of his sources and quotations appear reliant…

  • Ep15: How Should Christians Spread the Gospel?

    This episode of the Church Debates series reflects on the question of How Christians Should Spread the Gospel by examining the spread of Christianity in the medieval period.

  • Scripture among the Apologists: Theophilus of Antioch

    Theophilus of Antioch remains an underappreciated figure among the Christian writers of the second century. Born along the banks of the Euphrates River in Syria sometime in the early second century, Theophilus was raised in a pagan household and received a Greek education.[i] He converted to Christianity as an adult, became familiar with the Jewish…

  • Christmas Letter 2016

    2016 has been a busy and exciting year for the Prahlow family. As you celebrate the advent of the Lord Jesus this holiday season, we want to share with you some of the joys of this past year:

  • Scripture among the Apologists: Justin’s Views on Scripture

    Before turning to Theophilus of Antioch, it is worth pausing for a moment to reflect on why Justin’s use of scripture does not come across more clearly in his writings. First, there is the possibility that Justin cited some, if not many, of his sources from memory. This does not seem likely for his longer…

  • Recommended Reading: December 10

    If you read one article this week, look at Recalibrating the Culture War in 2016 by Darrell Bock. Have more reading time this weekend? Check out the following suggestions, gleaned from around the blogging world. Happy reading!

  • Scripture among the Apologists: Justin, Logos, and Paul

    On Justin’s conception of the logos, much has also been written. Perhaps most important is that prior to the Apology, only in Johannine literature is Jesus identified with the logos.[i] On this Pryor writes that, “Outside the Johannine tradition there is no evidence of an explicit Logos Christology in the first century. Indeed, even here…

  • Ep14: Predestination and Freewill

    This episode of the Church Debates series concludes our discussion of Predestination and Freewill by looking at the topics of Theological Anthropology and Biblical Studies.