Plutarch and ‘God-Eclipse’ in christian Theology

Abstract

This article calls attention to the importance of Plutarch’s book De Defectu Oraculorum as a primary source on the development of the Greek oracle religion in the fi rst century. It argues with an abundance of data from this historic literary document that Plutarch experienced a profound crisis about the disappearance of the oracles. This article also establishes that Plutarch’s view on the cessation of the oracles in the fi rst century cannot be satisfactorily explained in terms of lack of interest and the infl uences of Roman thought and politics. On a level of religious experience, Plutarch’s ideas prove stimulating for the consideration of the recent “God eclipse” in Christian theology.