The Doctrine of the Two Ways and the Two Spirits in their Initial Stage and in the First Two Christian Centuries.
Abstract
The present note presents a historical overview of the beginnings and continuities of the metaphor of the “two ways” offered to human decision: that of good, which leads to life, and that of evil, which leads to death. This topic is analysed in relation to that of the “two spirits”, who show up to inspire Human beings to go down one or the other of these roads. Thus, we can observe the presence of this characterization, firstly, in the Hellenic world, then in the Middle East, thirdly, in the Jewish world, fourthly, in the first Christian texts (the “Didajé” and the Epistle of Barnabas) and, finally, in “The Shepherd of Hermas”, which stands as the first text in Christian literature that systematically exposes and expresses this doctrine of the “discernment of spirits”.Downloads
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