New Books Network Johannes Zachhuber, "Gregory of Nyssa: on the Hexaemeron: Text, Translation, and Essays" (Oxford UP, 2025)
Dec 22, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Johannes Zachhuber, a professor at Oxford specializing in early Christian theology, and Anna Marmodoro, a philosophy professor at Saint Louis University, delve into Gregory of Nyssa's profound work, On the Hexaemeron. They explore Gregory's unique views on creation, contrasting with his brother Basil's ideas. The conversation highlights the philosophical implications of simultaneous creation and the influence of Stoic thought on Gregory. Together, they shed light on why this significant text has been underappreciated and share exciting insights about the future of early Christian philosophy.
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Gregory's Hybrid Philosophical Method
- Gregory of Nyssa blends Plato, Aristotle, Stoic, Neoplatonist, and Christian traditions into a single philosophical approach to nature and theology.
- His Hexaemeron shows how late-antique thinkers used natural observation to reason from the seen to the unseen.
A New Canon For Early Christian Philosophy
- The Library of Early Christian Philosophy presents patristic texts explicitly as philosophical works rather than only theological or historical sources.
- Each volume gives original text, a careful translation, and essays that highlight philosophical problems and contexts.
Ambition After Basil's Death
- Gregory's intellectual rise followed Basil's death, creating pressure and opportunity to both inherit and surpass his brother's legacy.
- This dynamic produced a tension between loyalty to Basil and Gregory's own innovative claims.