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The Christian Platonists of Alexandria

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The Bampton Lectures:
The Bampton lectures were established in accordance with an English clergyman who gave his name to one of most distinguished lectureships, the Bampton lectures at Oxford University. They consist of eight lecture-sermons 'preached' every year, never another time by any lecturer whatever his status was. Rev. Bampton studied at Trinity College, Oxford, and was honorary Canon of Salisbury Cathedral from 1718 until his death.

Charles Bigg career:
Charles BIGG, the Bampton lecturer in 1886, has edited few Greek classics, St. Augustine's Confessions; the Didache, Th. Kempis' 'De Imitatione Christi'. He wrote among other books, The Christian Platonists of Alexandria, Neoplatonism, Unity in Diversity, etc.. He was born at Manchester in 1840, studied at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, became a Senior Student of Christ Church in 1862, tutor in 1863, MA 1864, DD 1876. He was master in Cheltenham College, Brighton College, and rector of Fenny Compton, and hon. canon of Worcester from 1889 to 1901, when he was appointed Regius professor of ecclesiastical history in Oxford University. and has been canon of Christ Church, Oxford, since 1901. He was examining chaplain to the bishops of Worcester, Peterborough, London, and Manchester (1889-1903). He died at Oxford in 1908.

Those Great Thinkers:
Charles Bigg was a century ahead of his time, and very informed on French and German scholarship on the subject of this book. I wish I could say about other great books what I experienced with these very well searched lectures. For the first time since I stayed overnight to complete Wilkie Collins' 'The Moon Stone,' as a young teenager. I could not, put down this book, but continued reading the lectures just after I acquired it from one of the Hyde Park booksellers, in U. of Chicago thought promoting Center. Every scholar, Seminarian, and theologian should read this fundamental book to the understanding of the single most influential church teachers, this ever brisk book, should be read a second and third time.

Synopsis of Lectures;
Come take the tour of thought in Alexandria, it Museum, meet the Egyptian Jews and their Bible: The Septuagint, Philo is briefly exposed: The Logos, Wisdom and world. The Gnostics, their dualism, salvation, Christology and eschatology.
II. Alexandrine Church, Clement, Canon of scripture, its unity and allegory. The Holy Trinity, the incarnation and redemption.
III. Creation, Origin of evil & free will in Clement's thought. Faith and grace, Baptism & regeneration. gnosticism & Paulinism, Legalism, knowledge & Love. Church & the world, Via media, Gnosticism & egotism. Mysticism. Church, priesthood & Eucharist.
IV-VI. Origen, life, character and works, Exegesis, commentaries and Allegory. Regula Fidei, Theology: Nature of God, Holy Trinity, Unity in Trinity, Cosmology, creation, heavens& earths. Natural & Mosaic Laws. Gospel, Church, Clergy, Eucharist.
Refiner's fire: Beatific vision, Poena Damni.
VII. Reformed Paganism of the second century. Unitarian Platonists. Celsus & his two masters.
VIII. Summary: Clement, Origen, Restitution & quietism.