Exodus 3 after the Hellenization Thesis

Abstract

Abstract According to the "Hellenization thesis," Augustine and other classical figures were theologians who largely compromised the narratival particularity of revelation by uncritically embracing various Greek philosophical tenets. After describing this interpretive hypothesis, I test its validity by focusing on one figure, Augustine, and one key text, Exod 3, as it appears throughout his corpus. Investigation shows this hypothesis inadequate to account for the doctrinal implications he gleans from Exod 3, perhaps the key text for patristic theological ontology, by analyzing all his references to this passage. Indeed, Augustine interprets Exod 3 as an endorsement of apophatic theology, divine transcendence and simplicity, and narrative theology. Contrary to the "Hellenization thesis," Augustine's exegesis of Exod 3 might be very similar to that of many modern critical scholars.