St. John Chrysostom: Eight Sermons on the Book of Genesis

by John Chrysostom, Robert C. Hill

In fourth-century Antioch, St. John Chrysostom delivered a series of eight Lenten homilies on the Book of Genesis.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Christianity

Paperback

Published September 22, 2004

About the author

John Chrysostom (c. 347–407, Greek: Ἰωάννης ὁ Χρυσόστομος), Archbishop of Constantinople, was an important Early Church Father. He is known for his eloquence in preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and his ascetic sensibilities. After his death in 407 (or, according to some sources, during his life) he was given the Greek epithet chrysostomos, meaning "golden mouthed", in English and Anglicized to Chrysostom.

The Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches honor him as a saint and count him among the Three Holy Hierarchs, together with Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzus. He is recognized by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church as a saint and as a Doctor of the Church. Churches of the Western tradition, including the Roman Catholic Church, some Anglican provinces, and parts of the Lutheran Church, commemorate him on 13 September. Some Lutheran and many Anglican provinces commemorate him on the traditional Eastern feast day of 27 January. The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria also recognizes John Chrysostom as a saint (with feast days on 16 Thout and 17 Hathor).

John is known in Christianity chiefly as a preacher, theologian and liturgist. Among his homilies, eight directed against Judaizing Christians remain controversial for their impact on the development of Christian antisemitism.

Reviews

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read some amazing Chrystostom writings, but these were a bit uneven.

[Youhanna William · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's not as good as I expected maybe I've set some high bars for it .. but there were questions in my brains I was looking for their answers .. I liked the 7th and the 8th sermons but in the first four I was confused with his idea about equality between man and woman .. although i was amazed he brought up this subject at this time ! Overall there is some great explanations but not as much as you would expect to see it doesn't concentrate on genesis only .. the one sermon has many branches that maybe the part about genesis will be only 2 pages out of the whole sermon !
This book left me with more questions after answering one of my own !

[Beshoy Safwat · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Chrysostom's sermons result from the depth of God's love that cannot be described in words