Since 1963 the seriesPatristische Texte und Studienhas been publishing research findings coordinated by the Patristics Commission, which today is a joint venture of all the German Academies. The series is presenting editions, commentaries and monographs on the writings and teachings of the Church Fathers.

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In the apologies Request for Christians and Treatise on the Resurrection, Athenagoras draws abundantly both from the thoughts of the Greek philosophers-Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics-as well as from the reflections of Philo of Alexandria, John the Evangelist and Paul the Apostle. God creates, orders and maintains everything through his Logos. The Logos of God is described as the Platonic idea (ἰδέα) by which people are formed, and also the Aristotelian energy (ἐνεργεία), namely, the working power that creates humanity for eternal participation in God's happiness. The Athenian Philosopher confirms that the Logos manifests his presence in the world through spiritual beings. Ultimately, the main task of all human beings is to partake in the order given by the divine Logos.

This monograph comprises a new critical edition of Ps.-Athenagoras De Resurrectione Mortuorum, a complete edition of Arethas’ Scholia on the treatise, and (in the Appendix) a critical edition of the extant fragments of De Resurrectione attributed to Justin Martyr. Athenagoras was a Christian apologist, who flourished in the second half of the second century CE (ca. 180). Traditionally two extant Greek works have been attributed to him: a Plea on Behalf of the Christians, probably addressed to the Roman emperors Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, and the On the Resurrection of the Dead. The attribution of the latter treatise to Athenagoras has been a matter of dispute. In his Introduction, the editor sides with those scholars denying Athenagoras’ authorship, but ascribes its date to the end of the second century. This important edition by one of the most esteemed scholars in the field complements Prof. Marcovich’s edition of Athenagoras Legatio pro Christianis (Berlin, 1989).

The immense suffering caused by sin and evil within the modern world, especially in the light of the Holocaust, has had a profound impact on the contemporary understanding of God and his relationship to human suffering. Since the early part of this century there has been a growing consensus among theologians that God himself, within his divine nature, suffers in solidarity and love with those who suffer. This present theological position contradicts the traditional Christian understanding of almost two thousand years that God is impassible and so does not experience negative emotional states, such as suffering. Thomas Weinandy, O.F.M., resolutely challenges this contemporary view of God and suffering. Calling upon scripture, and the philosophical and theological tradition of the Fathers and Aquinas, Weinandy creatively and systematically addresses all of the contemporary concerns. He strongly advocates the incarnational truth that the Son of God actually does experience, as man, all that pertains to living an authentic human life, and so does indeed suffer. This book is both a challenge to much received contemporary philosophical and theological wisdom, and a scholarly, original, and refreshing account of the Christian Gospel. It is one of the most comprehensive Christian presentations of God and human suffering available today.