Teachings and dogmatic works The Fountain of Knowledge, The Fountain of Wisdom or The Fount of Knowledge (Koinē Greek: Πηγή Γνώσεως, Pēgē gnōseōs, literally meaning “The Source of Knowledge”), is described as a synthesis and unification of Christian philosophy, ideas and doctrine that was influential in directing the course of medieval Latin thought and that became the principal textbook of Greek Orthodox theology. Divided into three parts the chapters are: Philosophical Chapters (Koinē Greek: Κεφάλαια φιλοσοφικά, Kefálea filosofiká) – commonly called "Dialectic", it deals mostly with logic, its primary purpose being to prepare the reader for a better understanding of the rest of the book. Based on the previous work of the late 3rd-century Neoplatonist Porphyry’s Isagoge, an introduction to the logic of Aristotle. The work was notable in that it allowed John of Damascus with information to explain the basic concepts of logic and the rationalisation of God. Concerning Heresy (Koinē Greek: Περὶ αἱρέσεων, Perì eréseon, literally meaning “About Heresies”) – Based on the previous work of the Panarion. (Koinē Greek: Πανάριον, derived from Latin panarium, meaning "bread basket") by Epiphanius of Salamis. The work was notable it allowed John with information about different heresies as well as a model for how to organize a catalogue of heresies. In original 80 religious sects which either classed as organized groups or philosophies, from the time of Adam to the latter part of the fourth century according to Epiphanius. John added twenty heresies that had occurred during his time. The last chapter of Concerning Heresy (Chapter 101) deals with the Heresy of the Ishmaelites. Unlike earlier sections devoted to other heresies, which are disposed of succinctly in just a few lines, this chapter runs into several pages. It constitutes one of the first Christian refutations of Islam. In treating of Heresy of the Ishmaelites he vigorously assails the immoral practices of Muhammad and the corrupt teachings inserted in the Quran to legalize the delinquencies of the prophet. Concerning Heresy was frequently translated from Greek into Latin. His manuscript is one of the first Orthodox Christian refutations of Islam which has influenced the Western Roman Catholic Church's attitude on Islam. It was among the first sources representing Muhammad to the West as a "false prophet" and "Antichrist".Sbaihat, Ahlam (2015), "Stereotypes associated with real prototypes of the prophet of Islam's name till the 19th century". Jordan Journal of Modern Languages and Literature Vol. 7, No. 1, 2015, pp. 21–38. http://journals.yu.edu.jo/jjmll/Issues/vol7no12015/Nom2.pdf An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith (Koinē Greek: Ἔκδοσις Ἀκριβὴς τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Πίστεως, Ékdosis akribès tēs Orthodóxou Písteōs) – a summary of the teachings and dogmatic writings of the early Church Fathers, and more specifically the Cappadocian Fathers (Saint Basil, Saint Gregory of Nazianzus and Saint Gregory of Nyssa) from the 4th century. It incorporates Aristotelian language and demonstrates originality through John's selection of texts and annotations influenced by Antiochene analytical theology. This work, when translated into Oriental languages and Latin, became a valuable resource for both Eastern and Western thinkers, offering logical and theological concepts. Additionally, its systematic style served as a model for subsequent theological syntheses composed by medieval Scholastics. The "Exposition" delves into speculations about the nature and existence of God, giving rise to points of debate among later theologians. This writing was the first work of systematic theology in Eastern Christianity and an important influence on later Scholastic works.
Teachings and dogmatic works The Fountain of Knowledge The Fountain of Wisdom or The Fount of Knowledge (Koinē Greek Πηγή Γνώσεως Pēgē gnōseōs literally meaning “The Source of Knowledge”) is described as a synthesis and unification of Christian philosophy ideas and doctrine that was influential in directing the course of medieval Latin thought and that became the principal textbook of Greek Orthodox theology Divided into three parts the chapters are Philosophical Chapters (Koinē Greek Κεφάλαια φιλοσοφικά Kefálea filosofiká) – commonly called "Dialectic" it deals mostly with logic its primary purpose being to prepare the reader for a better understanding of the rest of the book Based on the previous work of the late 3rd-century Neoplatonist Porphyry’s Isagoge an introduction to the logic of Aristotle The work was notable in that it allowed John of Damascus with information to explain the basic concepts of logic and the rationalisation of God Concerning Heresy (Koinē Greek Περὶ αἱρέσεων Perì eréseon literally meaning “About Heresies”) – Based on the previous work of the Panarion (Koinē Greek Πανάριον derived from Latin panarium meaning "bread basket") by Epiphanius of Salamis The work was notable it allowed John with information about different heresies as well as a model for how to organize a catalogue of heresies In original 80 religious sects which either classed as organized groups or philosophies from the time of Adam to the latter part of the fourth century according to Epiphanius John added twenty heresies that had occurred during his time The last chapter of Concerning Heresy (Chapter 101) deals with the Heresy of the Ishmaelites Unlike earlier sections devoted to other heresies which are disposed of succinctly in just a few lines this chapter runs into several pages It constitutes one of the first Christian refutations of Islam In treating of Heresy of the Ishmaelites he vigorously assails the immoral practices of Muhammad and the corrupt teachings inserted in the Quran to legalize the delinquencies of the prophet Concerning Heresy was frequently translated from Greek into Latin His manuscript is one of the first Orthodox Christian refutations of Islam which has influenced the Western Roman Catholic Church's attitude on Islam It was among the first sources representing Muhammad to the West as a "false prophet" and "Antichrist"Sbaihat Ahlam (2015) "Stereotypes associated with real prototypes of the prophet of Islam's name till the 19th century" Jordan Journal of Modern Languages and Literature Vol 7 No 1 2015 pp 21–38 http//journalsyuedujo/jjmll/Issues/vol7no12015/Nom2pdf An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith (Koinē Greek Ἔκδοσις Ἀκριβὴς τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Πίστεως Ékdosis akribès tēs Orthodóxou Písteōs) – a summary of the teachings and dogmatic writings of the early Church Fathers and more specifically the Cappadocian Fathers (Saint Basil Saint Gregory of Nazianzus and Saint Gregory of Nyssa) from the 4th century It incorporates Aristotelian language and demonstrates originality through John's selection of texts and annotations influenced by Antiochene analytical theology This work when translated into Oriental languages and Latin became a valuable resource for both Eastern and Western thinkers offering logical and theological concepts Additionally its systematic style served as a model for subsequent theological syntheses composed by medieval Scholastics The "Exposition" delves into speculations about the nature and existence of God giving rise to points of debate among later theologians This writing was the first work of systematic theology in Eastern Christianity and an important influence on later Scholastic works