Book contents
- The Problem of the Devil in Cappadocian Thought
- The Problem of the Devil in Cappadocian Thought
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- 1Problematising the Devil
- 2The First Fallen Angel
- 3Know Thine Enemy by Name
- 4Christ’s Defeat of the Devil
- 5The Church’s War Against the Devil
- 6Becoming Diabolic in Gregory of Nyssa’s Homilies On the Beatitudes and On the Lord’s Prayer
- 7The Devil in Gregory of Nyssa’s Homilies On the Song of Songs
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Index
3 - Know Thine Enemy by Name
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 May 2026
Book contents
- The Problem of the Devil in Cappadocian Thought
- The Problem of the Devil in Cappadocian Thought
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- 1Problematising the Devil
- 2The First Fallen Angel
- 3Know Thine Enemy by Name
- 4Christ’s Defeat of the Devil
- 5The Church’s War Against the Devil
- 6Becoming Diabolic in Gregory of Nyssa’s Homilies On the Beatitudes and On the Lord’s Prayer
- 7The Devil in Gregory of Nyssa’s Homilies On the Song of Songs
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
Chapter 3 identifies and explores the devil’s names. While modern theologians have questioned the reality of the devil, premodern thinkers such as Basil and the Gregories felt no need to prove his existence. Instead, they sought to shine a light on the one who operates undercover and in plain sight, tempting and deceiving the human race. This chapter argues that by referring to the devil by his name(s) repeatedly, a practice inherited from Origen, the three leaders teach their communities how to recognise the activity of the enemy of salvation. Our theologians employ at least fifty names for the devil, both new and established. These names for the most part identify the devil’s activities in salvation history and demonstrate that he is antithetical to God and humankind. In effect, I propose, the Cappadocians teach the church to know the devil by his name(s).
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- The Problem of the Devil in Cappadocian Thought , pp. 77 - 102Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2026
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