signs, symbols and serpents. graydon f. snyder, ante pacem. archaeological evidence of church life...
TRANSCRIPT
Signs, Symbols and Serpents
• Graydon F. Snyder, ANTE PACEM. Archaeological Evidence of Church Life before Constantine (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2003).
Early Christian images
• Lamb• Vase• Boat• Orante• Bread• Fish
• Anchor• Dove• Olive branch• Palm• Good Shepherd• Vine and grapes
Some References
• Robin Jensen, Understanding Christian Art (London and New York: Routledge 2000)
• Tertullian, 2nd - 3rd century, Latin• Epistle of Barnabas (among the Apostolic
Fathers – ET in Pelican, Early Christian Writings)
• Cyprian, later 3rd century, Latin• Justin Martyr, I Apology, mid-2nd century, Rome
but writing in Greek• Minucius Felix, 2nd - 3rd century apologist, Latin• Ephrem Syrus, Syriac poet, 4th century
• John 10.15, I Cor. 5.7, John 1.29.• Lactantius, 3rd – 4th century, Latin• Abraham and Isaac – in Epistle of Barnabas,
Melito’s Peri Pascha, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Clement and Origen, Ambrose, Ephrem, John Chrysostom, Paulinus of Nola, Gregory of Nyssa, Theodoret and Augustine (Jensen’s list)
• Moses against Amalek (Exodus 17.8-13) – Epistle of Barnabas 12, Justin, Dialogue with Trypho 90.
More References
• Numbers 21.4-9 & John 3.14
• Epistle of Barnabas 12
• Justin, Dialogue with Trypho 91
• Irenaeus, Against Heresies IV.2
• Tertullian, Against Marcion II.22– Against Heresies II
• Gregory Nazianzus, Oration 45.22
• Basil of Caesarea, On the Holy Spirit 31– Letters 260.8
• Theodoret, Eranistes III
• Ambrose, On Duties III.15.94
Gnosticism
• Plērōma
• Sophia
• Bythos
• Gnōsis
• Achamōth
• Demiurge
• Sōma - sēma
Serpents and Wisdom
• Asclepius• The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead• Naas• Ophis• Naasenes or Ophites• Ben Sira = Ecclesiasticus• Philo• Epistle of Diognetus
Christ as Wisdom
• I Corinthians 1.24
• Colossians 1.15-20
• Cf. Proverbs 8.22-31
• John 3.14
• Cf. Numbers 21.5-9
References
• I Corinthians chapters 1-2; cf. Isaiah 29.14• Job 28• Ezekiel 28• Philippians 2.6-8• F. C. Burkitt, Church and Gnosis (CUP
1932, pbk 2011)• Hybris, nemesis• Romans 7.19, 5.14ff, I Cor.1.18ff, 2.8.