Bardesane – philosophe chrétien d’Édesse
Bardaisan the Christian Philosopher of Edessa

Summary/Abstract: Bardaisan (died in 222) is the first Christian author who wrote in Syriac. Being of pagan origin, he accepted Christianity in Edessa, probably when he was studying philosophy. Due to his outstanding and comprehensive education, he was not only an advisor to the kings of Edessa, but a personality known beyond the borders of the Kingdom of Osroene. He was surrounded by a large group of students, and the philosophical school he created is mentioned in literature up to the thirteenth century. However, from a theological point of view, Bardaisan was regarded by posterity as a heretic. Ephrem the Syrian (†373) found in his writings elements of Gnostic doctrine. Because of this criticism, the original texts by Bardaisan were destroyed and forgotten. Today we can reconstruct his ideas based on the Book of the Laws of the Countries (a dialogue written by his students) as well as on the basis of polemical writings of Ephrem the Syrian. The purpose of this article is to present the person and work of Bardaisan and to synthesize his thoughts concerning cosmology, Christology, and the concept of “free will.” His original, syncretic form of doctrine corresponds to the early form of Christian theology. Today, Bardaisan is considered to be an outstanding representative of Syriac Christianity (from Edesse) which is significantly different from the Christianity that uses the Greek and Latin languages.

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