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Document Details : Title: Exegesis Supporting Metaphysics Subtitle: Eusebius of Caesarea's Use of Prosōpon and its Hypostatic Associations Author(s): MAGREE, Michael C. Journal: Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses Volume: 100 Issue: 1 Date: 2024 Pages: 27-42 DOI: 10.2143/ETL.100.1.3292851 Abstract : The Greek word prosōpon, or 'person', is often associated with ancient modalist theologies that minimize the distinction between Father, Son, and Spirit. Eusebius of Caesarea, in his Ecclesiastical Theology, is arguing against modalism but also using prosōpon freely to designate Father and Son as subsistently distinct. The explanation of this is rooted in agent-identification exegesis, defined for the first time in this article. Prosōpon expands its range, from designating only distinct speakers (in prosopological exegesis) to designating distinct agents. Distinct agency, for Eusebius, gives an exegetical grounding for claiming the Father and Son as distinct hypostases. Eusebius offers a method of understanding 'person' that shows how it might give an exegetical grounding for a description of reciprocal activity in the Trinity. |
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