# Theophilus of Antioch

> Patriarch of Antioch from c.169 to c.183

**Wikidata**: [Q220787](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q220787)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theophilus_of_Antioch)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/theophilus-of-antioch

## Summary
Theophilus of Antioch was a Christian theologian and the Patriarch of Antioch from approximately 169 to 183 CE. He is best known for his apologetic works, particularly *Ad Autolycum*, which defended Christianity against pagan criticisms and articulated early Christian doctrine.

## Biography
- **Born**: c. 200 CE (exact date and place unknown)
- **Nationality**: Roman (Antioch, part of the Roman Empire)
- **Occupation**: Presbyter, Patriarch of Antioch
- **Known for**: Apologetic writings, particularly *Ad Autolycum*
- **Field(s)**: Theology, Christian apologetics

## Contributions
Theophilus of Antioch authored *Ad Autolycum*, a three-book apologetic work addressed to a pagan friend named Autolycus. This text is one of the earliest systematic defenses of Christianity, addressing critiques of Christian beliefs and presenting arguments for the superiority of Christian doctrine over pagan philosophy. The work also includes early discussions of the Trinity and the relationship between the Old and New Testaments.

## FAQs
**What was Theophilus of Antioch's most famous work?**
Theophilus of Antioch is best known for *Ad Autolycum*, a three-book apologetic work written to defend Christianity against pagan criticisms. It is one of the earliest surviving Christian apologetic texts.

**When did Theophilus of Antioch serve as Patriarch of Antioch?**
He served as Patriarch of Antioch from approximately 169 to 183 CE, during a period of significant theological development in early Christianity.

**What themes did Theophilus of Antioch address in his writings?**
His writings focused on defending Christian doctrine, refuting pagan criticisms, and articulating early Christian beliefs, including the nature of God and the relationship between the Old and New Testaments.

## Why They Matter
Theophilus of Antioch played a crucial role in the early development of Christian apologetics. His work *Ad Autolycum* provided a foundational defense of Christianity against pagan critiques, influencing later theologians and shaping the articulation of Christian doctrine. His writings also contributed to the early understanding of the Trinity and the integration of Old Testament scriptures into Christian theology.

## Notable For
- Authoring *Ad Autolycum*, one of the earliest Christian apologetic works.
- Serving as Patriarch of Antioch from c. 169 to c. 183 CE.
- Defending Christian doctrine against pagan criticisms.
- Contributing to early discussions of the Trinity and the relationship between the Old and New Testaments.

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Theophilus of Antioch was born around 200 CE, though the exact date and place of his birth are unknown. He lived during a period of significant theological development in early Christianity, a time when Christian thinkers were beginning to systematically articulate and defend their beliefs against pagan criticisms.

### Career and Leadership
Theophilus served as the Patriarch of Antioch from approximately 169 to 183 CE. As a presbyter and later patriarch, he played a key role in the leadership of the early Christian community in Antioch, one of the most important centers of early Christianity.

### Apologetic Writings
Theophilus is best known for his apologetic work *Ad Autolycum*, a three-book text addressed to a pagan friend named Autolycus. In this work, Theophilus defended Christianity against pagan criticisms, arguing for the superiority of Christian doctrine over pagan philosophy. The text includes early discussions of the Trinity, the nature of God, and the relationship between the Old and New Testaments.

### Theological Contributions
Theophilus's writings contributed to the early development of Christian theology. His work *Ad Autolycum* is notable for its systematic defense of Christianity and its articulation of key Christian beliefs. Theophilus's arguments helped shape the early Christian understanding of the Trinity and the integration of Old Testament scriptures into Christian theology.

### Legacy
Theophilus of Antioch's contributions to Christian apologetics and theology have had a lasting impact on the development of Christian thought. His work *Ad Autolycum* remains an important text in the study of early Christian apologetics and the development of Christian doctrine.

## References

1. LIBRIS. 2012
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. CiNii Research
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Theophilus%20Antiochenus)
7. CONOR.SI