Title: Angelomorphic pneumatology
First published: 2009
Description: This book discusses the occurrence of angelic imagery in early Christian discourse about the Holy Spirit. Taking as its entry-point Clement of Alexandria's less explored writings Excerpta ex Theodota, Eclogae propheticae, and Adumbrationes, it shows that Clement's angelomorphic pneumatology occurs in tandem with Spirit Christology, within a theological framework still characterized by a binitarian orientation. This complex theological articulation, supported by the exegesis of specific biblical passages (Zech 4:10; Isa 11:2-3; Matt 18:10), reworks Jewish and Christian traditions about the seven first-created angels, and constitutes a relatively widespread phenomenon in early Christianity. Evidence to support this claim is presented in the course of separated studies of Revelation, the Shepherd of Hermas, Justin Martyr, and Aphrahat.

Angelomorphic pneumatology in Clement's predecessors -- Angelomorphic pneumatology in the book of Revelation -- The "seven spirits" in Revelation and Clement's Protoctists -- Who are the "seven spirits"? -- Binitarianism and spirit Christology in Revelation -- The phenomenon of prophecy in Revelation -- Angelomorphic pneumatology in the Shepherd of Hermas -- Pneuma as an angelic being -- Pneuma as the Son of God -- Pneuma in the Fifth similitude -- Excursus: "Flesh" in the Fifth similitude -- Further clarifications on the Shepherd's angelomorphic pneumatology -- The Son of God and the angelomorphic Holy Spirit in Justin Martyr -- Difficulties with Justin Martyr's use of pneuma -- Justin Martyr on "the powers of the Spirit."

A witness from the East : Aphrahat, the Persian Sage -- Angelomorphic pneumatology in Aphrahat -- Aphrahat's views : "many aberrations and very crass statements"--The seven operations of the Spirit are six -- "The Spirit is not always found with those that receive it" -- An older exegetical tradition -- Cramer versus Kretschmar -- The larger theological framework for Aphrahat's angelomorphic pneumatology -- Difficulties of Aphrahat's pneumatology -- The Holy Spirit and the move from unity to multiplicity -- Excursus: "Wisdom" and "power" as pneumatological terms -- The "fragmentary" gift of the Spirit and angelomorphic pneumatology -- "The other Clement" -- Angelomorphic pneumatology and the history of Christian thought.

General Conclusions : The other Clement -- Angelomorphic pneumatology and the history of Christian though -- Brief theological assessment -- Bibliography : Primary sources -- Secondary sources -- Index of terms -- Index of sources : Hebrew Bible -- New Testament -- Early Christian writings -- Dead Sea Schrolls, targums, Philo, Pseudepigrapha, an Apocrypha -- Mishna, Talmud, Hekhalot and later Jewish literature -- Index of modern authors.
Subjects: Holy Spirit, Angels, History of doctrines, Christianity, Holy spirit, Clement, of alexandria, saint, approximately 150-approximately 215
LC classification: BT119 .B83 2009