Margarethe Billerbeck

Cynicism and Christianity in Antiquity

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Marie-Odile Goulet-Cazé’s numerous publications have made a lasting mark on modern research on Cynicism. Thoroughly investigated and carefully argued, this book is an excellent and timely study of the relationship between ancient Cynicism and early Christianity. The recent papal attacks on luxury and the conspicuous concern for socially marginalized persons have triggered harsh reactions from conservative dogmatists and ecclesiologists. The acute source analysis shows that despite all the differences between the shameless followers of Diogenes and the disciples of Jesus, there were also points of contact in the choice for uncompromising moral behavior. Goulet-Cazé furnishes an extended perspective to the historians of philosophy and provides New Testament theologians with well-grounded materials for the exegesis of the Q source of the Gospels.”