Graduation Year

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.A.

Degree Granting Department

Religious Studies

Major Professor

James F. Strange, Ph.D.

Keywords

Religion, Leadership, Christian, Church, Demetrius

Abstract

This thesis aims to examine whether Origen projects a charismatic ideology within his Commentary on the Gospel of John. Five characteristics will be utilized during the process: (1) Charismatic authority is given directly from God and only God; (2) Those who have been chosen sought and maintain the position; (3) Individuals must recognize this authority along with others; (4) Those with charismatic authority must mediate God's word for others; (5) This authority may only belong to individuals within the one body of the church. In analyzing Books 1, 2, 6, and 10 along with these five characteristics, the thesis will present Origen's charismatic ideology and determine how it functioned between him and those who held a more traditional view concerning the structure of the Christian Church.

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