A Comparison of Biblical Interpretation Methods Taught in the Early Theological Schools of Antioch and Alexandria

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A COMPARISON OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION METHODS TAUGHT IN THE EARLY THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS OF ANTIOCH AND ALEXANDRIA Church History – CHHI 522 May 12, 2011 In the centuries following the apostolic age, two schools of theology arose in the Eastern part of the church, each with contrasting methods of Biblical interpretation and differing theological views of Christology. These differences resulted in considerable conflict. Each school was located in a prominent Greek-speaking city: Antioch in Syria and Alexandria in Egypt. Like many theological institutions today, the support and fame of these schools came from the church that was located there and the strong, eloquent Bishops that led them. The school in Antioch adhered to a more literal interpretation the Bible. The teachers associated with this school stood in opposition to the philosophical allegory and mysticism that characterized the school of Alexandria. The theologians at Antioch also rejected both Docetism and Apollinarianism. In contrast to these views, they stressed the humanity of Christ and taught a distinction between the humanity and deity of Christ. They believed that Christ was perfect in humanity as well as perfect in deity. They explained the dual nature of Christ by teaching that the divine Logos (the second person) dwelt in a full human being. The Antiocian position is commonly explained by historians by stating that the union of deity and humanity was not so much a union of essence as it was a moral or cooperative union. Christ appeared to those around him as a normal man, but his humanity and deity were separate natures that were in full cooperation within him. Notable teachers from this school were Theophilus, Lucian, Diodore of Tarsus, Theodore of Mopsuestia and John Chrysostom. Approximately five hundred miles Southwest of Antioch was the catechetical school of Alexandria.
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