Basil of Caesarea

Foundations of Theological Exegesis and Christian Spirituality

by Stephen M. Hildebrand

This introduction surveys the theological, spiritual, and monastic writings of Basil of Caesarea, showing the importance of his work for contemporary theology and spirituality.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Church History

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 15, 2014

Reviews

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exploration into the life, theology, writings, and asceticism of Basil of Caesarea.

The author throughout is conversant not only with Basil's own writings but those of his contemporaries, antecedents, and modern scholarly assessments of Basil's work. He provides his own voice and understanding of Basil and portrays him as an innovator and reformist (in terms of his Trinitarian theology and monastic lifestyle) who nonetheless strongly believed in the tradition and believed he maintained continuity with it.

The author describes Basil's life, his anthropology, his view of Scripture and creation, and his non-polemical theological work in terms of the Trinity. Basil's main polemic works against the Eunomians, and Eustathians / "Spirit-fighters" are assessed, and his understanding of the ascetic life in community, quite formative for Eastern Orthodoxy, is analyzed. Both inform each other; Basil's theology supports his lifestyle and ethos, and sees the challenges from the disputants in terms of the nature of the Son and Spirit as deleterious to the ability to become like God and to serve in the Spirit.

Basil is someone of whom I have heard much and knew little; this work did a lot to contextualize him and tell much about his disposition, theology, and place in the tradition. Worthy of consideration.

**--galley received as part of early review program

[JonM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Straightforward. Concise. Rich in insights. Honest about Basil’s real influence upon the Church, including his shortcomings & virtues. By far the best book I’ve read about St Basil

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a serious study of Basil. Those looking for an introduction to him should look elsewhere but those seeking a solid study of his thought will be pleased with this work.

[Logan Prettyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent scholarship. Hildebrand is a reliable voice on Basil. This was also shaping for how I conceive of my own Christian life, particularly helping me understand the sanctity of all creation.

[Roland Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all of the Cappadocian Fathers, Basil the Great (c. 330-379) managed to get into a lot of fights. In this accessible yet erudite introduction to Basil’s thought, Stephen Hildebrand asks us to think about who Basil was writing to every time we pick up one of his books. Asking what an author’s intentions were and who the audience was should be fundamental, axiomatic questions for any competent historian, but Hildebrand uses these simple questions to read Basil in a whole new light. Why did Basil use very philosophical arguments in books like Against Eunomius, which risked leading him into error because of the presuppositions of pagan philosophy, while at other times (such as in the Morals) he limited himself to repeating the words of Scripture? Hildebrand suggests that in the first case Basil was contesting with opponents who were schooled in Greek philosophy and were arguing over the difference between homoousios and homoiousios, and in the second instance he was teaching his own disciples, who preferred him to speak straight from Scripture. Basil wrote differently when he was writing polemics and when he was teaching doctrine. Audience matters.

See my full review here: http://wordsbecamebooks.com/2015/08/1...

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated much that the author offered as he compared Basil to possible formative, even competing, philosophies of theology, but I had no interest in Basil's monastic order. Still it is a worthwhile look at this important Cappadocian father.

[Michael Philliber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read it; I reviewed it. My review is on my blog which you can find here:

http://mphilliber.blogspot.com/2014/0...

[David Haines · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great introductory book, giving the reader an overview of the profound theological thoughts of one of the greatest theologians of the Christian church. My review will be on my blog.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read about St. Basil that portrays him as not being a "balanced" Christian but being pretty extreme in his monastic views. He took many of Christ's teachings literally and felt the ONLY way to obey the Gospel commands were to live in poverty, be a celibate and join an intentional monastic community. Married couples were to separate and live in same sex communities in celibacy. Their children would also be separated from them and placed in same sex schools run by monks. No pro-family ideas here. Because he believed that only monks could be true Christians, he believed only monks should be bishops. One can see St. Basil's fingerprints everywhere in Orthodoxy.