'In the image of the Image'

Gregory of Nyssa's Opposition to Slavery

FAIRACRES PUBLICATIONS 202
Gregory of Nyssa is the most important author of the fourth century in relation to theological anthropology, and was one of the most outspoken of the early Church Fathers on the subject of slavery. Gregory’s theology is built upon his perception that Jesus Christ was truly human; therefore, to be human is to be made in the image of Christ. We cannot justify slavery if we accept that humans are made in God’s image, because slaves are no less made in the image of God than those who are free. This book examines Gregory’s theology, how he understood and taught about the relationship of human beings to God, and how he applied this theology to the practical issue of slavery.
Adam Couchman is a doctoral candidate at the University of Divinity, Melbourne, Australia. His research considers the worshipping Jesus through the lens of the Church’s creedal confessions that He is fully human and fully Divine. His studies have also included research into the sacramentality of the ceremonies of the Salvation Army, and Christian holiness. He is Secretary to the Australian Consultation on Liturgy and a participating member of the English Language Liturgical Consultation. He was named the Australian and New Zealand Association of Theological Studies (ANZATS) ‘New and Emerging Scholar’ for 2023.