The use of the term “Atheist” (ἄθεος) by bishop Eusebius of Cesaria in the apologetic treatise “Preparation for the Gospel” against Hellenic phylosophy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51216/2687-072X_2023_3_39-57Keywords:
Bishop Eusebius of Caesarea, apologetics, philosophy, Hellenes, Ancient Greece, godlessness, atheism, Preparation for the GospelAbstract
The article discusses the use of the term “atheist” (ἄθεος) in the apologetic treatise “Preparation for the Gospel” in relation to Hellenic philosophy and its representatives. In the treatise, this term is used not only in relation to Hellenic philosophy, but also to pagan religion in general. Accusing Hellenic pagan materialist philosophers of atheism and characterizing Hellenic philosophy as impious and “godless superstition”, Eusebius uses this term mainly in the sense of ignorance of the true and only God. Contrasting materialism and pagan polytheism with faith in the one God of such thinkers as Plato and Socrates, authoritative for the Hellenic pagan society, the bishop of Caesarea draws attention to the fact that Christians similarly believe in one God. Eusebius considers the accusations of godlessness leveled against Socrates, Protagoras, and Anaxagoras. Explaining the groundlessness of these accusations against these philosophers, the apologist points to the superficiality and inconsistency of the accusations of godlessness from the Hellenic pagans, which they address not only to Christians, but also to their philosophers. The paper presents an analysis of the argumentation and apologetic methods of Bishop Eusebius regarding the semantic use of the term “atheist”. The perception and use of this term is considered not only in his works, but also in the works of other authors cited by him, including Hellenic philosophers. The contribution of the bishop of Caesarea to the semantic development of the mentioned term and its transformation is shown.
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