<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Gregory of Nyssa (cca 335–cca 395), one of the three Cappadocian Fathers, introduces the creation of human beings on the basis of <italic>Genesis</italic> 1:26–27 and interprets these two biblical verses as a ‘double creation’—the first of which is ‘in the image of God’ (Genesis 1:26) and secondly as male or female (Genesis 1:27). His concept of ‘double creation’ is obviously inspired by Philo of Alexandria, a first-century Jewish philosopher, but Gregory points out the condition of human beings before and after committing the sin, in contrast to Philo’s conception. While Philo distinguishes between the first and the second creation of the entirety of nature, Gregory only relates the double creation to humans. Thus plants as nourishment for humans, according to <italic>Genesis</italic>, must be matched with the second creation of humans. In the resurrection, when the ‘first creation’ of human nature will be reached, human beings with their restored bodies will only feed on immaterial, spiritual food—the Word of God.</p>
</abstract>

Gregory of Nyssa (cca 335–cca 395), one of the three Cappadocian Fathers, introduces the creation of human beings on the basis of Genesis 1:26–27 and interprets these two biblical verses as a ‘double creation’—the first of which is ‘in the image of God’ (Genesis 1:26) and secondly as male or female (Genesis 1:27). His concept of ‘double creation’ is obviously inspired by Philo of Alexandria, a first-century Jewish philosopher, but Gregory points out the condition of human beings before and after committing the sin, in contrast to Philo’s conception. While Philo distinguishes between the first and the second creation of the entirety of nature, Gregory only relates the double creation to humans. Thus plants as nourishment for humans, according to Genesis, must be matched with the second creation of humans. In the resurrection, when the ‘first creation’ of human nature will be reached, human beings with their restored bodies will only feed on immaterial, spiritual food—the Word of God.

Nourishment in Paradise and After Resurrection: Double Creation According to Gregory of Nyssa

Perichoresis

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Gregory of Nyssa (cca 335–cca 395), one of the three Cappadocian Fathers, introduces the creation of human beings on the basis of Genesis 1:26–27 and...

Nourishment in Paradise and After Resurrection: Double Creation According to Gregory of Nyssa

Published Online: Dec 17, 2021

Page range: 55 - 63

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/perc-2021-0024

Keywords
double creation, Philo of Alexandria, plants, restoration, Word

© 2021 Magdalena Marunová, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Nourishment in Paradise and After Resurrection: Double Creation According to Gregory of Nyssa

Published Online: Dec 17, 2021

Page range: 55 - 63

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/perc-2021-0024

Keywordsdouble creation, Philo of Alexandria, plants, restoration, Word

© 2021 Magdalena Marunová, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
double creation, Philo of Alexandria, plants, restoration, Word