Table of Contents (v) Abbreviations (vii) Acknowledgements (ix) Introduction (1) Chapter 1. Vita et Opera (7) Chapter 2. Lactantius and Method (29) I. Method (29) II. Audience (33) III. Sources (37) A. The Bible (37) B. The Poets (40) C. The Philosophers (42) D. Oracular Literature (45) IV. Christian Truth (54) Chapter 3. Lactantius and Divine Providence (61) I. Developing the Arguments (62) II. The Arguments for Divine Providence (64) A. The Argument from Consensus (E consensu omnium) (64) B. Responding to Opponents (67) C. The Argument from Design (Ex operibus dei) (74) D. The Argument from Absurd Consequences (Ex gradibus entium) (87) III. Conclusion (88) Chapter 4. Lactantius' Doctrine of God (93) I. Theology of God (93) A. God's Oneness (94) B. God's Transcendence (99) C. God's Incorporeity (Excursus) (103) D. God as Eternal Mind (106) E. God and the Passions (109) II. God the Creator (113) A. Creatio ex nihilo (113) B. Refutation of Atomism (117) C. Theodicy (122) III. Conclusion (134) Chapter 5. Lactantius' Anthropology (139) I. Anthropology and Providence in De opificio Dei (140) A. Chapters 8-13 (141) B. Chapters 14-19 (146) C. Conclusion (151) II. A Systematic Treatment of Lactantius' Anthropology (154) A. The Creation and Composition of the Human Person (154) B. The Human Person in the Created Order (159) C. Status Rectus (164) D. Vera Religio (168) E. The Virtues, Immortality, and Justice (174) F. Conclusion (185) Chapter 6. Lactantius and Salvation History (191) I. Theology of History (191) II. Soteriology (203) A. Soteriology and the Virtues (203) B. Christology (210) C. Eschatology (227) III. Conclusion (231) Conclusion (235) Bibliography (245) Index (269)
