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John Chrysostom
(347 - 407)


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John Chrysostom (from André Thevet)

John Chrysostom (from André Thevet)
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Synopsis

John Chrysostom or 'golden-mouthed' has been called "the greatest preacher in the early church".[1] He was born in Syrian Antioch into a Christian family. His father Secundus, a civil servant, died when John was only a few years old. His widowed mother, Anthusa rejected any idea of a second marriage and devoted herself to raising her two children.[2] John showed great promise and studied law under the renowned pagan rhetorician Libanius.[3] According to the church historian Socrates, John became disillusioned with a career as a lawyer and decided to become a monk.[4] He was talked out of that vocation by his mother[5] and instead John enrolled in the Christian school of Diodore (d. c. 390), who later became bishop of Tarsus. In his biblical exposition Diodore placed an emphasis on the literal and historic sense of Scripture and opposed the use of allegory,[6] which he used only when it appeared that it was the author's intention.[7] In his sermons and writings John Chrysostom followed the same Antiochene hermeneutic. The ascetic side of fourth century Christianity was very attractive to him and this, as we shall see, is also reflected in his writings on Genesis

John was ordained as a priest in Antioch, were he served for twelve years before being made archbishop of Constantinople. His rhetorical background proved of great benefit to his ministry, even if his linguistic education was limited to Greek.[8] That being said, Chrysostom's Greek was the best produced by any of the early Christian writers.9

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References

[1] Robert Wilkin, "John Chrysostom," Everett Ferguson, editor, Encylopedia of Early Christianity. (New York: Garland, 1990), 495.

[2] Chrystomus Baur, John Chrysostom and His Time, Vol. 1. trans. M. Gonzaga. (London: Sands & Co., Ltd., 1959), 1-5; Wilkin, 495.

[3] Encyclopedia Britannica Micropedia, Vol. 3, 291.

[4] Socrates, History, 6.3 (NPNF, 2nd series, Vol. 2, 138).

[5] John Chrysostom, De Sacerdocio 1.5; Donald Attwater, St John Chrysostom: Pastor and Preacher. (London: Harvill Press, 1959), 24.

[6] Attwater, 25.

[7] Frances Young, Nicaea To Chalcedon. (London: SCM, 1983), 156.

[8] Frederick H. Chase, Chrysostom: A Study in the History of Biblical Interpretation. (Cambridge: Deighton, Bell & Co., 1887), 28-38.

[9] Baur, Vol. 1, 305.

Bibliographies

Book or monograph D.C., Burger, A Complete Bibliography of the Scholarship on the life and Works of St. John Chrysostom. Evanston, IL., 1964.

Primary Sources

Book or monograph Ancient Christian Writers, Vols. 31, 45. New York: Newman, 1963, 1985.
On-line Resource John Chrysostom (Christian Classic Ethereal Library)
Book or monograph John Chrysostom, Apologist, The Fathers of the Church, Vol. 73, Margaret A, Schatkin & Paul W. Harkins, translators. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press. Pbk. ISBN: 0813210860. pp.298.
Book or monograph John Chrysostom, Commentary on St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, Homilies 1-47, The Fathers of the Church, Vol. 33, Thomas Aquinas Goggin, translator. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press. Pbk. ISBN: 0813210240. pp.485.
Book or monograph John Chrysostom, Commentary on St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, Homilies 48-88, The Fathers of the Church, Vol. 41, Thomas Aquinas Goggin, translator. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press. Pbk. ISBN: 0813210259. pp.495.
Book or monograph John Chrysostom, Discourses Against Judaizing Christians, The Fathers of the Church, Vol. 68, Paul W. Hawkins, translator. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press. Pbk. ISBN: 0813209714. pp.286.
Book or monograph John Chrysostom, Homilies on Genesis 1-17, The Fathers of the Church, Vol. 74, Robert C. Hill, translator. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press. Pbk. ISBN: 0813209722. pp.246.
Book or monograph John Chrysostom, Homilies on Genesis 18-45, The Fathers of the Church, Vol. 82, Robert C. Hill, translator. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press. Pbk. ISBN: 0813210879. pp.288.
Book or monograph John Chrysostom, Homilies on Genesis 46-67, The Fathers of the Church, Vol. 87, Robert C. Hill, translator. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press. Pbk. ISBN: 0813200873. pp.288.
Book or monograph John Chrysostom, On the Incomprehensible Nature of God, The Fathers of the Church, Vol. 72, Paul W. Harkins, translator. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press. Pbk. ISBN: 0813210275. pp.357.
Book or monograph John Chrysostom, On Marriage and Family Life. C.P. Roth & D. Anderson, trans. Crestwood: St. Vladimir's Seminary, 1986. Pbk. ISBN: 0913836869. pp.114.
Book or monograph JOhn Chrysostom: On Repentance and AlmsgivingJohn Chrysostom, On Repentance and Almsgiving, The Fathers of the Church, Vol. 96, Gus Goerge Christo, translator. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press. Hbk. ISBN: 0813200962. pp.190.
Book or monograph John Chrysostom, Saint Chrysostom: On the Priesthood; Ascetic Treatises; Select Homilies and Letters; Homilies on the Statues. Philip Schaff, translator. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984. Hbk. ISBN: 0802881076.
Book or monograph John Chrysostom, Homilies on Genesis 1-17, Fathers of the Church, Vol. 74. Robert C. Hill, trans. Washington , D.C.: Catholic University Press of America, 1999. Pbk. ISBN: 0813209722. pp.246.
Book or monograph John Chrysostom, Homilies on Genesis 18-45, Fathers of the Church, Vol. 82. Robert C. Hill, trans. Washington , D.C.: Catholic University Press of America, 2002. Pbk. ISBN: 0813210879. pp.288.
On-line Resource Thomas Allen Moxon [1877-1943], St. Chrysostom on the Priesthood.Thomas Allen Moxon [1877-1943], St. Chrysostom on the Priesthood. Translations of Christian Literature. Series I: Greek Texts. London: SPCK, 1907, 1932. Hbk. pp.171. View in PDF format pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
Book or monograph Isidore of Pelusium, Epistulae 2.42.
Book or monograph Palladius: Dialogue on the Life of John ChrysostomPalladius, Dialogue on the Life of John Chrysostom. Ancient Christian Writers, Vol. 45. New York: Paulist Press, 1955. Hbk. ISBN: 0809103583. pp.249.
Book or monograph P. Schaff et al, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, 1st Series, Vols. 9-14. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1887-1894.
Book or monograph Sozomen, Church History 8.2-8.
Book or monograph Theodoret, Church History 5.27-36.

Secondary Sources

Article in Journal or Book Pauline Allen & Wendy Mayer, "Chrysostom and the Preaching of Homilies in Series: A Re-Examination of the Fifteen Homilies In Epistulam ad Philippenses (CPG 4432)," Vigiliae Christianae 49.3 (1995): 270-289.
Sign-up to Perlego and access book instantly Pauline Allen &8 Wendy Mayer, John Chrysostom. The Early Church FathersPauline Allen &8 Wendy Mayer, John Chrysostom. The Early Church Fathers. London: Routledge, 2002. ISBN: 9781134673292. pp.240. [Sign-up to Perlego and access book instantly]
Article in Journal or Book Pauline Allen & Wendy Mayer, "The Thirty-Four Homilies on Hebrews: The Last Series Delivered by Chrysostom in Constantinople," Byzantion 65 (1995): 309-48.
Book or monograph Anonymous, St. Chrysostom's Picture of His Age. London: SPCK, 1875. Hbk. pp.220. View in PDF format pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
Article in Journal or Book Donald Attwater, "St. John Chrysostom and the Liturgy," Orate Fratres 13.7 (May 14, 1939): 305-310.
Article in Journal or Book M.A. Aucoin, "Augustine and John Chrysostom: Commentators on St. John's Prologue," Science et esprit 15 (1963): 123-31.
On-line Resource St. John Chrysostom (C. Baur)
Article in Journal or Book George S. Bebis, "Saint John Chrysostom: On Materialism and Christian Virtue," Greek Orthodox Theological Review 32.3 (1987): 227-237.
Article in Journal or Book Stephen D. Benin, "Sacrifice as Education in Augustine and Chrysostom," Church History 52.1 (1983): 7-20.
Article in Journal or Book Allen Dwight Callahan, "John Chrysostom on Philemon: A Response to Margaret M. Mitchell," Harvard Theological Review 88.1 (1995): 149-156.
Article in Journal or Book R. Carter, "The Chronology of St. John Chrysostom's Early Life," Traditio, Vol. 18 (1962): 357-364.
Article in Journal or Book R.E. Carter, "The Future of Chrysostom Studies," Studia Patristica 10. (1970): 14-21.
On-line Resource Frederic Henry Chase [1853-1925], Chrysostom: A Study in the History of Biblical Interpretation. Deighton, Bell & Co., 1887. [This material is in the Public Domain]
Article in Journal or Book Elizabeth A. Clark, "Sexual Politics in the Writings of John Chrysostom," Anglican Theological Review 59.1 (1977): 3-20.
Article in Journal or Book Elizabeth A. Clark, "John Chrysostom and the Subintroductae," Church History 46.2 (1977): 171-185.
Book or monograph Elizabeth A. Clark, Jerome, Chrysostom and Friends: Essays and Translations. New York: Mellen, 1979. Hbk. ISBN: 088946541X . pp.254.
Article in Journal or Book David A. Davis, "St John Chrysostom on Ministry, Discernment, and Call," Theology Today 62.3 (October 2005): 408-413.
Article in Journal or Book A.M. Devine, "The Manuscripts of John Chrysostom's Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles. A Preliminary Study, a Critical Edition," The Ancient World (Chicago) 20 (1989): 111-25.
Article in Journal or Book Gordon D. Fee, "The Text of John and Mark in the Writings of Chrysostom," New Testament Studies 26.4 (1979-1980): 525-547.
Article in Journal or Book Everett Ferguson, "Preaching at Epiphany: Gregory of Nyssa and John Chrysostom on Baptism and the Church," Church History 66.1 (1997): 1-17.
Book or monograph J. Fotopoulos, "John Chrysostom: On Holy Pascha," Greek Orthodox Theological Review 37 (1992): 123-34.
On-line Resource Adrian Fortescue [1874-1923], The Greek FathersAdrian Fortescue [1874-1923], The Greek Fathers. London: The Catholic Truth Society, 1908. Hbk. pp.255. View in PDF format pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
Article in Journal or Book Peter Gorday, The Place of Chapters 9-11 in the Argument of the Epistle to the Romans: a Study of the Romans Exegesis of Origen, John Chrysostom and Augustine: dissertation...Vanderbilt University. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University, 1980. pp. ix + 372.
Article in Journal or Book A. Gelston, "Notes on a Citation of Chrysostom by Severus," Journal of Theological Studies 50.1 (1999): 162-163.
Article in Journal or Book Vigen Guroian, "Family and Christian Virtue in a Post-Christendom World: Reflections on the Ecclesial Vision of John Chrysostom," St. Vladimir's Theological Quarterly 35.4 (1991): 327-350.
Article in Journal or Book Tolvo Harjunpaa, "St. John Chrysostom in the Light of his Catechetical and Baptismal Homilies," Lutheran Quarterly 29.2 (1977): 167-195.
Article in Journal or Book Malcolm Heath, "John Chrysostom, Rhetoric and Galatians," Biblical Interpretation 12.4 (2004): 369-400.
Article in Journal or Book R. Hill, "Chrysostum as Old Testament Comentator," Estudios biblicos 46 (1988): 61-77.
Article in Journal or Book Robert C. Hill, "St. John Chrysostom's Teaching on Inpiration in 'Six Homilies on Isaiah'," Vigiliae Christianae 22.1 (1968): 19-37.
Article in Journal or Book Robert C. Hill, "St. John Chrysostom and the Incarnation of the Word in Scripture," Compass 14.3 (1980): 34-38.
Article in Journal or Book Robert C. Hill, "Chrysostomas Old Testament Commentator," Estudios biblicos 46.1 (1988): 61-77.
Article in Journal or Book Robert C. Hill, "The Spirituality of Chrysostom's Commentary on the Psalms," Journal of Early Christian Studies 5.4 (1997): 569-579.
Article in Journal or Book Robert C. Hill, "St John Chrysostom: Preacher on the Old Testament," The Greek Orthodox Theological Review 46.3-4 (Fall 2001): 267-286.
Article in Journal or Book Robert C. Hill, "St John Chrysostom as Biblical Commentator: Six Homilies on Isaiah 6," St Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly 47.3-4 (2003): 307-322.
Article in Journal or Book Robert C. Hill, "St. John Chrysostom on the Sages," The Greek Orthodox Theological Review 49.1-2 (Spring 2004): 89-104.
Article in Journal or Book P. Jackson, "John Chrysostom's Use of Scripture in Initiatory Preaching," Greek Orthodox Theological Review 35 (1990): 345-66.
Article in Journal or Book Anthony Kenny, "Was Chryssostom a Semi-Pelagian?" Irish Theological Quarterly 27 (1960): 16-29.
Book or monograph R.A. Krupp, Saint John Chrysostom: A Scripture Index. New York & London, 1984. Hbk. ISBN: 0819143804. pp.270.
Article in Journal or Book J.T. Lienhard, "On 'Discernment of Spirits' in the Early Church (1 Cor 12:10 for Chrysostom, Origen, Athanasius; Cassian," Theological Studies 41 (1980): 505-29.
On-line Resource William Lefroy [1836-1909], ed., Church Leaders in Primitive TimesJoseph Thomas Kingsmill, "The Life and Times of St. Chrysostom," William Lefroy [1836-1909], ed., Church Leaders in Primitive Times. Lectures on Their Words and Works. Delivered in Norwich Cathedral by Eminent Anglican Devines, 2nd edn. London: Chas. J. Thynne, 1909. Hbk. pp.141-180. View in PDF format pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
Article in Journal or Book Blake Leyerle, "John Chrysostom on Almsgiving and the Use of Money," Harvard Theological Review 87.1 (1994): 29-47.
Article in Journal or Book Joseph Lupi, "Liturgical Symbolism in the Baptismal Homilies of St. John Chrysostom and Theodore of Mopsuestia," Melita Theologica 29.1/2 (1977): 29-42.
Sign-up to Perlego and access book instantly Blake Leyerle, The Narrative Shape of Emotion in the Preaching of John ChrysostomBlake Leyerle, The Narrative Shape of Emotion in the Preaching of John Chrysostom. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2020. ISBN: 9780520975729. pp.228. [Sign-up to Perlego and access book instantly]
Article in Journal or Book Amy Smyth McCormick, "John Chrysostom's Homily No. 50 as an Example of the Antiochene Exegetical Tradition," Patristic and Byzantine Review 12.1-3 (1993): 65-82.
Article in Journal or Book Thomas R. McKibbens, "The Exegesis of John Chrysostom: Homilies on the Gospels," Expository Times 93.9 (1982): 264-270.
Article in Journal or Book Gordon C. McMillan, "The Voice of One Crying: John Chrysostom the Preacher," Mid-America Journal of Theology 32 (2021): 161-174.
Article in Journal or Book W.A. Markowicz, "Chrysostom's Sermons on Genesis. A Problem," Theological Studies 24 (1963): 652-64.
Article in Journal or Book Wendy Mayer, "Constanopolitan Women in Chrysostom's Circle," Vigiliae Christianae 53 (1999): 265-288.
Article in Journal or Book Wendy Mayer, "Who Came to Hear John Chrysostom Preach? Recovering a Late Fourth-Century Preacher's Audience," Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses 76.1 (2000): 73-87.
Article in Journal or Book Wendy Mayer, "The Homily as Historical Document: Some Problems in Relation to John Chrysostom," Lutheran Theological Journal 35.1 (2001): 17-22.
Article in Journal or Book Wendy Mayer, "John Chrysostom as Bishop: The View from Antioch," The Journal of Ecclesiastical History 55.3 (July 2004): 455-466.
Article in Journal or Book Margaret M. Mitchell, "John Chrysostom on Philemon: A Second Look," Harvard Theological Review 88.1 (1995): 135-148.
Article in Journal or Book Ivor Moody, "Catching Chrysostom: An Ancient Ministry for a Modern World," Modern Believing 43.4 (2002): 18-24.
Article in Journal or Book John J. O'Brien, "Initiation, Chrysostom, and the Moral Life," Liturgical Ministry 8.2 (1999): 91-99.
On-line Resource C.F.W. Paniel (Prof. H.J. Ripley, translator), "Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople Viewed as a Preacher," Bibliotheca Sacra 4 No. 16 (1847): 605-649.View in PDF format pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
Book or monograph F. van de Paverd, St. John Chrysostom, The Homilies on the Statues: An Introduction. Orientalia Christiana Analecta, 239. Rome, 1991.
Article in Journal or Book J.D. Quinn, "St. John Chrysostom on History in the Synoptic," Catholic Biblical Quarterly 24 (1962): 140-47.
Book or monograph Hugh M. Riley, Christian Initiation: A Comparative Study of the Interpretation of the Baptismal Liturgy in the Mystagogical Writings of Cyril of Jerusalem, John Chrysostom. Washington, D.C.: Catholic University of America Press, 1974. ISBN: 081320531X.
Article in Journal or Book P.J. Ryan, "Chrysostom - A Derived Stylist?" Vigiliae Christianae 36.1 (1982): 5-14.
On-line Resource William Richard Wood Stephens [1839-1902], Saint John Chrysostom. His Life and TimesWilliam Richard Wood Stephens [1839-1902], Saint John Chrysostom. His Life and Times. A Sketch of the Church and the Empire in the Fourth Century, 2nd edn. London: John Murray, 1880. Hbk. pp.456. View in PDF format pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
Article in Journal or Book Lauri Thuren, "John Chrysostom as a Rhetorical Critic: The Hermeneutics of an Early Father," Biblical Interpretation 9.2 (2001): 180-218.
Article in Journal or Book D. Trakatellis, "Being Transformed: Chrysostom's Exegesis of the Epistle to the Romans," Greek Orthodox Theological Review 36 (1991): 211-29.
Article in Journal or Book Edward Ulback, "John Chrysostom, Preacher," Bibliotheca Sacra 95., no. 379 (July 1938): 328-342.
Sign-up to Perlego and access book instantly Robert L. Wilken, John Chrysostom and the Jews: Rhetoric and Reality in the Late Fourth CenturyRobert L. Wilken, John Chrysostom and the Jews: Rhetoric and Reality in the Late Fourth Century. The Transformation of the Classical Heritage, 4. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1983. Hbk. ISBN: 0520047575. pp.207. e-book: Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2004. ISBN: 9781725212510. pp.210. [Sign-up to Perlego and access book instantly]
Article in Journal or Book Frances Young, "They Speak to Us across the Centuries 3. John Chrysostom," Expository Times 109.2 (1997): 38-41.

Biographies

Book or monograph Donald Attwater, St John Chrysostom: Pastor and Preacher. London: Harvill Press, 1959. (Out of print).
Book or monograph C. Baur, John Chrysostom and His Time, 2 Vols. London: Sands, 1960.
On-line Resource James Davie Butler, "Life of John Chrysostom," Bibliotheca Sacra 1 No. 4 (1844): 669-702.View in PDF format pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
On-line Resource Frederic William Farrar [1831-1903], Lives of the Fathers. Sketches of Church History in Biography, 2 VolsFrederic William Farrar [1831-1903], Lives of the Fathers. Sketches of Church History in Biography, 2 Vols. London: Adam & Charles Black, 1907. Hbk. pp.781+737. View in PDF format pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]
Book or monograph J. N. D. Kelly, Golden Mouth: The Story of John Chrysostom, Ascetic, Preacher, Bishop. Gerald Duckworth & Co. Ltd., 1995. Hbk. ISBN: 0715626434. pp.320.
On-line Resource Herbert Moore [1863-1943], The Dialogue of Palladius Concerning the Life of ChrysostomHerbert Moore [1863-1943], The Dialogue of Palladius Concerning the Life of Chrysostom. Translations of Christian Literature. Series I. London: SPCK, 1921. Hbk. pp.213. View in PDF format pdf [This material is in the Public Domain]

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