Author: Andrew Koperski

Biographical information for Andrew Koperski coming soon.

Columns Articles

Origen on the Apostles’ Uniquely Inspired Discernment

Andrew Koperski — May 27, 2026

Origen on the Apostles’ Uniquely Inspired Discernment

We often depict Origen as a speculative, metaphysically preoccupied theologian with a penchant for heterodoxy. His down-to-earth text critical work on the Bible often gets less attention, unfortunately. While editing…

Was Jesus Poor?

Andrew Koperski — April 18, 2026

Was Jesus Poor?

It depends a lot on what you mean by "poor."

When is Liturgical Diversity Acceptable? Sozomen and Forged Apostolic Literature

Andrew Koperski — January 28, 2026

When is Liturgical Diversity Acceptable? Sozomen and Forged Apostolic Literature

Surely, ancient Christians always erred on the side of doctrinal and liturgical purity?

Special Festive Edition: Where the New Religious Right (Badly) Misunderstands Constantine

Andrew Koperski — December 24, 2025

Special Festive Edition: Where the New Religious Right (Badly) Misunderstands Constantine

'Tis the season for an airing of intellectual grievances!

Cosmas Indicopleustes: a Sixth-Century Merchant with a Lutheran View of Scripture?

Andrew Koperski — December 19, 2025

Cosmas Indicopleustes: a Sixth-Century Merchant with a Lutheran View of Scripture?

And they say that Lutheranism doesn't travel as well as Calvinism.

Thessalonike, the Theotokos, and the Proper Place of Relics

Andrew Koperski — December 10, 2025

Thessalonike, the Theotokos, and the Proper Place of Relics

Relics didn't function quite like they do in Age of Empires.

An Example of Christian Influence on Imperial-Era Greek Philosophy (and Why It Makes One Gloomy about the Present)

Andrew Koperski — November 19, 2025

An Example of Christian Influence on Imperial-Era Greek Philosophy (and Why It Makes One Gloomy about the Present)

Because presentist gloom is good for clicks.

“Faith,” Proof, and Intellectual Honesty

Andrew Koperski — October 27, 2025

“Faith,” Proof, and Intellectual Honesty

Faith isn't really supposed to be a "leap."

Do Christians Have to Master Greek to Remain Orthodox?

Andrew Koperski — October 8, 2025

Do Christians Have to Master Greek to Remain Orthodox?

A case study on Christological formulae.

Screwtape to Hamlock on “Recent Events”

Andrew Koperski — October 3, 2025

Screwtape to Hamlock on “Recent Events”

Letter 201

How Applicable is Classical Political Philosophy?

Andrew Koperski — September 10, 2025

How Applicable is Classical Political Philosophy?

There's a scale problem.

Tertullian and Pagan Education: The Athens-and-Jerusalem Canard

Andrew Koperski — September 2, 2025

Tertullian and Pagan Education: The Athens-and-Jerusalem Canard

On that quip that is "too good to check."

Josephus and Jesus: an Informal Review of Schmidt’s New Argument

Andrew Koperski — August 28, 2025

Josephus and Jesus: an Informal Review of Schmidt’s New Argument

I had my doubts.

A Brief Political Theology from Eighth-Century Sinai: “Because I Couldn’t Find Anyone Worse!”

Andrew Koperski — August 14, 2025

A Brief Political Theology from Eighth-Century Sinai: “Because I Couldn’t Find Anyone Worse!”

Can we put this on a T-shirt for 2028?

Josephus: It’s Hard Having a Big Family

Andrew Koperski — August 4, 2025

Josephus: It’s Hard Having a Big Family

Even for kings, it turns out.

New Book on Josephus and Jesus

Andrew Koperski — May 30, 2025

New Book on Josephus and Jesus

This is just a short public service announcement drawing attention to T. C. Schmidt’s hot-off-the-digital-presses Josephus and Jesus: New Evidence for the One Called Christ (Oxford 2025). An anonymous donation…

Refusing Rebaptism in Dionysius of Alexandria

Andrew Koperski — May 28, 2025

Refusing Rebaptism in Dionysius of Alexandria

After all, what's more important than getting baptism right?

Eusebius on Mary in Psalm 69

Andrew Koperski — May 6, 2025

Eusebius on Mary in Psalm 69

I am once again asking the people to please read a primary source.

Is Ecumenism for Evangelical Squishes?

Andrew Koperski — April 30, 2025

Is Ecumenism for Evangelical Squishes?

The answer may surprise you.

Crossing the T: Lucian, Pilate, and Crucifixion

Andrew Koperski — April 18, 2025

Crossing the T: Lucian, Pilate, and Crucifixion

Sending the dubiously accused to the electric chair is a severe miscarriage of justice.

Chrysostom, Tolkien, and Humility

Andrew Koperski — April 1, 2025

Chrysostom, Tolkien, and Humility

Do not expect to be crowned promptly

“Worth a Thousand Dollars”: The (Former) Economics of Fertility

Andrew Koperski — March 24, 2025

“Worth a Thousand Dollars”: The (Former) Economics of Fertility

Children used to be seen as an economic asset to their parents.

Ancient Christianity and Book-Banning

Andrew Koperski — March 11, 2025

Ancient Christianity and Book-Banning

How eager were Christians to destroy books they didn't like?

Dionysius of Alexandria and Christian Allegiance to the Pagan Empire

Andrew Koperski — January 26, 2025

Dionysius of Alexandria and Christian Allegiance to the Pagan Empire

Let's throw another monkey wrench into the plentiful oversimplifications of Christian-Roman relations.

Fragment of an Early Draft of “Riddles in the Dark”

Andrew Koperski — January 22, 2025

Fragment of an Early Draft of “Riddles in the Dark”

An important chapter in The Hobbit might have looked much different.

Authenticity and Authority: Origen on the Tension of Philology and Canon

Andrew Koperski — January 15, 2025

Authenticity and Authority: Origen on the Tension of Philology and Canon

What do you do if you find an inauthentic biblical passage that's accepted in the wider Church?

Eusebius on Asceticism and Christian Civilization

Andrew Koperski — January 6, 2025

Eusebius on Asceticism and Christian Civilization

Eusebius on the Two Ways of Christian Life

Who Invented the Idea of “Canonical” Scriptures?

Andrew Koperski — December 17, 2024

Who Invented the Idea of “Canonical” Scriptures?

A case that the terminology dates back to the third century.

Justin Martyr on Free Will, Righteous Pagans

Andrew Koperski — October 19, 2024

Justin Martyr on Free Will, Righteous Pagans

Who needs Limbo when you have Logos?

“Go, then, and disciple all the gentiles”: Some Reflections on Baptizing Nations

Andrew Koperski — September 28, 2024

“Go, then, and disciple all the gentiles”: Some Reflections on Baptizing Nations

Does the aversion to national baptism stem from democratic sensibilities, or something else?

Upcoming Anniversaries

Andrew Koperski — September 17, 2024

Upcoming Anniversaries

In the year 324, on September 18 . . . .

Was the Biblical Canon “Closed” by the Fifth Century?

Andrew Koperski — September 2, 2024

Was the Biblical Canon “Closed” by the Fifth Century?

The role of bishops and councils may be overrated in the evolution of the canon.

Cold Fusion, Mortgages, and Ancient History

Andrew Koperski — August 22, 2024

Cold Fusion, Mortgages, and Ancient History

How might a future society look back on us?

Strauss vs. Lewis, Monolithic Societies and Persecution

Andrew Koperski — August 7, 2024

Strauss vs. Lewis, Monolithic Societies and Persecution

Just how homogeneous are societies, both ancient and modern?

Irenaeus and the Static Apostolic Tradition

Andrew Koperski — July 25, 2024

Irenaeus and the Static Apostolic Tradition

How do tradition, the Bible, history, and authority all fit together in Irenaeus' model?

Pseudo-Germanos, Tradition, and the Apparent Insufficiency of Scripture

Andrew Koperski — July 15, 2024

Pseudo-Germanos, Tradition, and the Apparent Insufficiency of Scripture

A medieval appeal to oral tradition.

That Time the Church Asked a Pagan Emperor for Help

Andrew Koperski — July 1, 2024

That Time the Church Asked a Pagan Emperor for Help

What are emperors good for, after all?

Reviewing “Jesus and the Powers”: the Final Post

Andrew Koperski — June 5, 2024

Reviewing “Jesus and the Powers”: the Final Post

Is Christian activism part of the larger problem?

Reviewing “Jesus and the Powers”: Part Three

Andrew Koperski — May 20, 2024

Reviewing “Jesus and the Powers”: Part Three

Wright and Bird have actually said something much more ideologically freighted than they themselves appreciate on most pages.

Reviewing “Jesus and the Powers”: A Second Post

Andrew Koperski — May 8, 2024

Reviewing “Jesus and the Powers”: A Second Post

On Eusebian theo-fascism and esoteric readings of Paul.

Did Greek Theologians Read Latin Theologians in Late Antiquity?

Andrew Koperski — April 23, 2024

Did Greek Theologians Read Latin Theologians in Late Antiquity?

Greek fathers did sometimes translate and read their Latin counterparts.

Jesus, the Powers, and the Fathers

Andrew Koperski — April 8, 2024

Jesus, the Powers, and the Fathers

Justin and Eusebius cannot pass as escapists.

The Christian Prince: A Punishment for Sins?

Andrew Koperski — March 26, 2024

The Christian Prince: A Punishment for Sins?

So how was that whole “Constantinian” project going in the mid-400s?

Gregory of Tours vs. Eusebius of Caesarea on Handling Apocrypha

Andrew Koperski — March 19, 2024

Gregory of Tours vs. Eusebius of Caesarea on Handling Apocrypha

Another healthy reminder that medieval Christianity is not always in continuity with what came before.

Peter Heather’s Excellent (and Accidentally Protestant?) History

Andrew Koperski — March 11, 2024

Peter Heather’s Excellent (and Accidentally Protestant?) History

Would that I had this book on my shelf as an undergraduate.

On Fishing With Dynamite

Andrew Koperski — February 20, 2024

On Fishing With Dynamite

A review of a recent, moralizing history by "Tertullian."

The Council of Trullo on Clerical Celibacy

Andrew Koperski — February 9, 2024

The Council of Trullo on Clerical Celibacy

The Greeks rebuked Latin ideals of clerical purity.

Justin Martyr on the Oldest Liturgy and the Apostolic “memoranda”

Andrew Koperski — January 22, 2024

Justin Martyr on the Oldest Liturgy and the Apostolic “memoranda”

There's no easy way to say, "apomnemoneumata."

Justin Martyr: Ostensible Credobaptist

Andrew Koperski — January 6, 2024

Justin Martyr: Ostensible Credobaptist

Why does Justin seem to presume the rite is simply for older initiates?

Nicaea and the Biblical Canon

Andrew Koperski — December 28, 2023

Nicaea and the Biblical Canon

No, Constantine didn't set the biblical canon.

Eusebius: Circumspect Historian of Constantine?

Andrew Koperski — December 16, 2023

Eusebius: Circumspect Historian of Constantine?

Impossible, say you?

Reading Apocrypha in the Middle Ages vs. Antiquity

Andrew Koperski — December 2, 2023

Reading Apocrypha in the Middle Ages vs. Antiquity

Ancient Christianity is not necessarily the same as medieval Christianity.

Peter Heather’s Christendom: Some Initial Thoughts Before Reading

Andrew Koperski — November 14, 2023

Peter Heather’s Christendom: Some Initial Thoughts Before Reading

A few preliminary musings as to what I expect to find in the book.

Christians in the Employ of the Pagan Empire

Andrew Koperski — October 17, 2023

Christians in the Employ of the Pagan Empire

Even before Constantine, the overall impression is that Christians not uncommonly served the empire in various capacities.

Chrysostom’s Vainglorious Virgin Mary

Andrew Koperski — October 9, 2023

Chrysostom’s Vainglorious Virgin Mary

Jesus, says Chrysostom, was more worried about Mary's soul than parental courtesy.

Apuleius and Stoicism in Cupid and Psyche

Andrew Koperski — October 3, 2023

Apuleius and Stoicism in Cupid and Psyche

Come for the Platonist critiques of Stoic positions, stay for the C. S. Lewis reference.

Stoicism and the Emotions of Jesus

Andrew Koperski — September 5, 2023

Stoicism and the Emotions of Jesus

Christ's psychological profile would have had the Stoa squirming uncomfortably.

“Citizenship” in Heaven

Andrew Koperski — August 17, 2023

“Citizenship” in Heaven

Is Paul making a point about politics?

How Dangerous was Non-Conformity under Rome?

Andrew Koperski — August 9, 2023

How Dangerous was Non-Conformity under Rome?

A reminder that Rome was not a proto-fascist or proto-Stalinist system.

Augustine and Family Planning

Andrew Koperski — July 31, 2023

Augustine and Family Planning

Would Augustine have tolerated NFP?

Jerome and John Chrysostom: Orthodox Enemies

Andrew Koperski — July 14, 2023

Jerome and John Chrysostom: Orthodox Enemies

Aren't all the Church Fathers supposed to be on the same side?

Screwtape in Late Antiquity

Andrew Koperski — July 4, 2023

Screwtape in Late Antiquity

One of the most important historians of the last century read C. S. Lewis as a young man.

Eusebius on Mary and Joseph’s Marriage

Andrew Koperski — June 20, 2023

Eusebius on Mary and Joseph’s Marriage

Eusebius’ version very much diverges from the early apocryphal account of Mary and Joseph's union.

“No Dumping”

Andrew Koperski — June 14, 2023

“No Dumping”

“In this grove, let no one pile dung, nor dump a body, nor perform parental rites.”

The Blood Brothers of Jesus

Andrew Koperski — June 8, 2023

The Blood Brothers of Jesus

Did Jesus have blood siblings?

Lukan Priority?

Andrew Koperski — May 29, 2023

Lukan Priority?

Who was reading whom?

Was There an Original Semitic Gospel?

Andrew Koperski — May 22, 2023

Was There an Original Semitic Gospel?

If it ever shows up, there will be fireworks.

Irenaeus and P. Oxy. 405

Andrew Koperski — May 17, 2023

Irenaeus and P. Oxy. 405

Irenaeus comes to Egypt.

Constantine and the Manicheans: A Short Case Study in Toleration

Andrew Koperski — May 9, 2023

Constantine and the Manicheans: A Short Case Study in Toleration

Constantine founded Christendom—or so we are told.

Didymus the Blind on Matthew 16

Andrew Koperski — May 1, 2023

Didymus the Blind on Matthew 16

Christ himself is the bedrock of the church, says Didymus.

Chrysostom on Matthew 16

Andrew Koperski — April 26, 2023

Chrysostom on Matthew 16

Maybe doctrinal development can leap the gap, but it seems a bit far.

Observations on a Sixth-Century Passio: Sex and Slavery

Andrew Koperski — April 18, 2023

Observations on a Sixth-Century Passio: Sex and Slavery

A martyrdom story reveals some interesting theological and moral assumptions.

Notes on Daniel, Josephus, and Jerusalem

Andrew Koperski — April 11, 2023

Notes on Daniel, Josephus, and Jerusalem

A potpourri of Daniel, Josephus, apocalypticism, and the fate of Jerusalem.

Notes on Daniel 7: “One Like a Son of Man” in the Septuagint

Andrew Koperski — March 31, 2023

Notes on Daniel 7: “One Like a Son of Man” in the Septuagint

Some Greek translations of Daniel 7 link the "one like a son of man" to God himself.

Literary Authenticity in Porphyry

Andrew Koperski — March 20, 2023

Literary Authenticity in Porphyry

Ancient literary authenticity may have had more to do with content than who put the words to page.

On God’s Wrath

Andrew Koperski — March 7, 2023

On God’s Wrath

“For if God is not angered by the impious and the unjust, by no means does he love the pious and the just.”

Augustine and the Aramaic of Romans 5:12

Andrew Koperski — March 1, 2023

Augustine and the Aramaic of Romans 5:12

"You have not experienced Paul until you have read him in the original Aramaic."

Some Doubts About “Eusebian” Politics

Andrew Koperski — February 21, 2023

Some Doubts About “Eusebian” Politics

One did not publish anything bad about a sitting emperor, unless one was prepared for one's career to end, or worse.

Sexual Misconduct in Romans 1: Two Background Traditions

Andrew Koperski — February 14, 2023

Sexual Misconduct in Romans 1: Two Background Traditions

Paul's words closely parallel other Jewish sources in antiquity.

Lactantius and God’s Gender

Andrew Koperski — February 9, 2023

Lactantius and God’s Gender

Lactantius demonstrates that some non-Christian theologians had already proposed gender-inclusive divinity.

Hypatia and Saint (?) Cyril of Alexandria

Andrew Koperski — January 30, 2023

Hypatia and Saint (?) Cyril of Alexandria

Prominent Christians—even saints—were known to act quite badly in late antiquity.

1 Enoch: Inspired Revelation or Apocryphon?

Andrew Koperski — January 18, 2023

1 Enoch: Inspired Revelation or Apocryphon?

Not all the church fathers agreed with Augustine about the mythology of Enoch.

John Witherspoon, Abduction, Slavery, and the New Testament

Andrew Koperski — January 10, 2023

John Witherspoon, Abduction, Slavery, and the New Testament

If we find Witherspoon guilty on these specific charges, we will not easily acquit the New Testament.

Philodemus and Aristides

Andrew Koperski — January 4, 2023

Philodemus and Aristides

From what I gather, Philodemus’ own ideal for the Christian social ethic is rather different from Aristides’.

Free Will, Predestination, and Politics in Early Christianity: Musings for 2023

Andrew Koperski — January 2, 2023

Free Will, Predestination, and Politics in Early Christianity: Musings for 2023

Prior to Augustine, early Christian intellectuals forcefully stressed human free will over against predestination.

Herod, Parthia, and Roman Foreign Policy

Andrew Koperski — December 23, 2022

Herod, Parthia, and Roman Foreign Policy

Herod the Great had more to fear than a newborn usurper.

The Birth of the Immaculate Conception: Mary, Apostolic Tradition, and the Protevangelium of James

Andrew Koperski — December 15, 2022

The Birth of the Immaculate Conception: Mary, Apostolic Tradition, and the Protevangelium of James

How was this famous apocryphon received in the early Christian world?

That Time the North African Church Excommunicated the Pope

Andrew Koperski — December 2, 2022

That Time the North African Church Excommunicated the Pope

To paraphrase the words of Lady Wisdom to Boethius, “Stuff happens.”

Athanasius’ St. Anthony on Relics

Andrew Koperski — November 22, 2022

Athanasius’ St. Anthony on Relics

According to Athanasius, St. Anthony feared his body would be turned into a relic after death.

Cyril of Jerusalem and Sola Scriptura

Andrew Koperski — November 9, 2022

Cyril of Jerusalem and Sola Scriptura

An ancient bishop suggests the Protestant emphasis on Scripture predates Protestantism.

Irenaeus and Apostolic Succession

Andrew Koperski — November 3, 2022

Irenaeus and Apostolic Succession

Irenaeus's view of apostolic succession was no abstract theory, but an appeal to history.

Commentary, Ad Fontes

Second James

Andrew Koperski — June 23, 2025

Second James

Fragments from the lost epistle of Second James.

“Son of Man” Vol. 1: A Review

Andrew Koperski — February 27, 2024

“Son of Man” Vol. 1: A Review

Was Israel waiting for a divine messiah or a human one? Richard Bauckham's new study delves into this question

“The Thing is a Nightmare”: A Practical Argument for a (More) Liturgical Calendar

Andrew Koperski — December 27, 2022

“The Thing is a Nightmare”: A Practical Argument for a (More) Liturgical Calendar

The surprisingly practical church calendar.

Tolkien: Naive Storyteller or Political Realist?

Andrew Koperski — November 2, 2022

Tolkien: Naive Storyteller or Political Realist?

Did Tolkien have room for shades of gray within and without Middle Earth?

C.S. Lewis on the Decline of Christianity

Andrew Koperski — October 10, 2022

C.S. Lewis on the Decline of Christianity

Lewis's lesser-known essays reveal some surprising perspectives on religion in the West.

No Place Like Rome? Refuting Papal Primacy With Clement of Rome

Andrew Koperski — September 21, 2022

No Place Like Rome? Refuting Papal Primacy With Clement of Rome

Although pseudonymous, works credited to Clement give us a window into early church polity.

Miasma of the Ordinary? Rebuking the Devil in Your Soup

Andrew Koperski — August 31, 2022

Miasma of the Ordinary? Rebuking the Devil in Your Soup

Did ancient Christians feel guilty about possible implication in unethically sourced food?

Plundering the Romans: Irenaeus, History, and Economic Presuppositions

Andrew Koperski — July 11, 2022

Plundering the Romans: Irenaeus, History, and Economic Presuppositions

Tidy modern narratives about the economic views of past Christians rarely fit the historical data

Baptismal Trajectories in Early Christianity, Part III: Toward an Explanation

Andrew Koperski — February 18, 2022

Baptismal Trajectories in Early Christianity, Part III: Toward an Explanation

A fresh, tentative explanation for early differences in baptismal practice. Part 3 of 3.

Baptismal Trajectories in Early Christianity, Part II: Households, Tertullian, and Archeology

Andrew Koperski — February 16, 2022

Baptismal Trajectories in Early Christianity, Part II: Households, Tertullian, and Archeology

Is there a fresh explanation for differing baptismal practices in the ancient church? Part 2 of 3.

Baptismal Trajectories in Early Christianity, Part I: The Liturgical “Dark Age” and Second Temple Judaism

Andrew Koperski — February 14, 2022

Baptismal Trajectories in Early Christianity, Part I: The Liturgical “Dark Age” and Second Temple Judaism

Can we find a fresh explanation for differing baptismal practices in the early church?

Is Theology Enslaved to Sociological Subtext?

Andrew Koperski — January 7, 2022

Is Theology Enslaved to Sociological Subtext?

Does sociological analysis have all the explanatory power it often claims?

Social Activism and the New Testament

Andrew Koperski — December 2, 2021

Social Activism and the New Testament

Does the "social justice" turn of some evangelicals line up with New Testament's approach to societal problems?

Nationalism in Earliest Christianity

Andrew Koperski — November 9, 2021

Nationalism in Earliest Christianity

Do the earliest days of church history offer pushback to a defense of "Christian nationalism"?