The Arabici (meaning "Arabians") were a small Christian sect of the 3rd century. The name of their founder is lost to history. Augustine of Hippo labelled them "Arabici" in the belief that this sect flourished in Arabia.[1] Other sources referred to them occasionally as Thnetopcychitae (Ancient Greek: θνητοψυχῖται) or Thanatopsychitae (meaning "(believers in) the death of the soul").
The Arabici believed the soul was to perish with the body, though both soul and body would be revived again on Judgement Day.[2] The Arabici theorized this from their study of I Tim., vi, 16, "Who only hath immortality." This passage, they held, ascribes immortality to God alone, and therefore prevents its possession by man. The Arabici's estrangement from the main body of Christianity only lasted approximately 40 years. At a council in 250 AD, the Arabici were reconciled to mainline Christianity, through the persuasive mediation of Origen.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Markus, Robert Austin (1999-01-01). The Limits of Ancient Christianity: Essays on Late Antique Thought and Culture in Honor of R.A. Markus. University of Michigan Press. ISBN 0472109979.
- ^ a b "Church Fathers: Church History, Book VI (Eusebius)". www.newadvent.org. p. Chapter 37. Retrieved 2017-04-05.
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Arabici". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
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