The Theology of Arithmetic: Number Symbolism in Platonism and Early Christianity

In the second century, Valentinians and other gnosticizing Christians used numerical structures and symbols to describe God, interpret the Bible, and frame the universe. In this study of the controversy that resulted, Joel Kalvesmaki shows how earlier neo-Pythagorean and Platonist number symbolism provided the impetus for this theology of arithmetic, and describes the ways in which gnosticizing groups attempted to engage both the Platonist and Christian traditions. He explores the rich variety of number symbolism then in use, among both gnosticizing groups and their orthodox critics, demonstrating how those critics developed an alternative approach to number symbolism that would set the pattern for centuries to come.

Arguing that the early dispute influenced the very tradition that inspired it, Kalvesmaki explains how, in the late third and early fourth centuries, numbers became increasingly important to Platonists, who engaged in arithmological constructions and disputes that mirrored the earlier Christian ones.

CONTENTS:
Acknowledgments 
 List of Abbreviations

1. Introduction
2. Generating the World of Numbers: Pythagorean and Platonist Number Symbolism in the First Century
3. The Rise of the Early Christian Theology of Arithmetic: The Valentinians
4. The Apogee of Valentinian Number Symbolism: Marcus Magus
 5. Alternate Paths in the Early Christian Theology of Arithmetic: MonoImus and the Paraphrase of the Apophasis Megale
6. The Orthodox Limits of the Theology of Arithmetic: Irenaeus of Lyons
7. The Orthodox Possibilities of the Theology of Arithmetic: Clement of Alexandria
8. How the Early Christian Theology of Arithmetic Shaped Neo-Platonism and Late Antique Christianity

Excursus A. One versus One: The Differentiation between Hen and Monad in Hellenistic and Late Antique Philosophy
Excursus B. The Pythagorean Symbol of the Tε τ ρ α κ τυ ς
Excursus C. The Dyadic Character of A Valentinian Exposition

Appendix
Greek Texts
Bibliography
Index

Joel Kalvesmaki (19xx-Present), was Managing Editor in Byzantine Studies at Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection.