http://poj.peeters-leuven.be/content.php?url=journal&journal_code=JECS Recent articles poj@peeters-leuven.be http://dx.doi.org/10.2143/JECS.61.1.2045829 http://poj.peeters-leuven.be/content.php?url=article&id=2045829 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:56:32 GMT The terminology of the Qur’an regarding certain key religious aspects demonstrates an intimate relationship with the Syriac translation of the Gospel of Matthew. This paper’s discussion focuses on perhaps the most salient of these religious aspects shared by both texts, namely ‘divine kingdom.’ By studying and comparing both the Syriac and Arabic texts firsthand, examining old Syriac and Arabian inscriptions, and reflecting upon the theories of previous scholars who addressed the Christian or Syriac influences upon the Qur’an, I come to a preliminary conclusion as to how and why such a relationship exists. Based on the gathered evidence, the paper argues that within the realm dubbed ‘Syro-Arabia,’ intimate socio-cultural-religious interaction and continuity persisted between Syriac/Aramaic and Arabic speakers from the early first millennium BCE through the period of late antiquity (4th-7th century CE). This resulted in the Qur’an addressing an audience that was part of the Syro-Arabian milieu, and that was familiar with the Syriac Gospel of Matthew. poj@peeters-leuven.be http://dx.doi.org/10.2143/JECS.61.1.2045830 http://poj.peeters-leuven.be/content.php?url=article&id=2045830 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:59:14 GMT not available poj@peeters-leuven.be http://dx.doi.org/10.2143/JECS.61.1.2045831 http://poj.peeters-leuven.be/content.php?url=article&id=2045831 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:01:15 GMT John of Damascus’ teaching is usually regarded by modern scholars as a compilation of Neoplatonic commentaries and patristic texts. Nevertheless, significant figures in Eastern and Western Christianity referred to him as one of the greatest authorities on various philosophical and theological problems. This is the case especially of his interpretation of hypostasis and individuation of substance. John, actually, absorbed many ideas from earlier philosophy. Yet, I argue that his doctrine contains many significant philosophical developments, all stemming from theological requirements. For instance, in order to explain the theological problems of the human individual and the hypostatic union of Christ, John formulated the conception of hypostasis as the principle of being and existence of its composites. I offer a detailed analysis of John’s conceptions of hypostasis and individuality in relation to their use in theological discourse. This may help to evaluate properly the originality of John’s legacy, which I reckon an important contribution to Christian philosophical and theological thought. poj@peeters-leuven.be http://dx.doi.org/10.2143/JECS.61.1.2045832 http://poj.peeters-leuven.be/content.php?url=article&id=2045832 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:03:02 GMT not available poj@peeters-leuven.be http://dx.doi.org/10.2143/JECS.61.1.2045833 http://poj.peeters-leuven.be/content.php?url=article&id=2045833 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:03:29 GMT not available poj@peeters-leuven.be http://dx.doi.org/10.2143/JECS.61.1.2045834 http://poj.peeters-leuven.be/content.php?url=article&id=2045834 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:03:54 GMT Book reviews