Biography:
John of Damascus (c. 675 - 749) was a monk who played an important role in the
development of of Eastern Orthodox theology. In his famous book Fount of
Wisdom, he summarized all of the most important theological points which had
been worked out up to his time. He presented argument for the major teachings of
the Greek fathers on matters like the incarnation, the Trinity and more.
John also played an important role in the Iconoclastic Controversy. He supported the existence and veneration of idols because, according to him, they served as "books" for uneducated church members. John also argued that the divine was made physically present through other means, such as the eucharist and Jesus' incarnation - if veneration of them was wrong, then what could be wrong with icons?
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Related Resources:
What is Christianity?
What are the various Christian groups, denominations, sects and heresies? What are some key concepts in Christian theology? What are some of the most important events in Christian history? All of this and more are covered in the Christianity FAQ.
