Justin Rogers on Philo in Early Christianity

In this episode of The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP), Earl Fontainelle interviews Justin Rogers, a Biblical Studies professor, about the influence of Philo of Alexandria on Christianity. They discuss how early Church Fathers like Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Didymus the Blind, and Ambrose of Milan utilized Philo's works, particularly his allegorical interpretations of the Bible. The conversation explores the transmission of Philo's writings, the varying degrees of acknowledgment given to Philo by these figures, and the evolving perception of Philo's Jewish identity and its impact on Christian theology, including its connection to Arianism. The discussion also covers the development of scriptural exegesis and the concept of four-level interpretation, tracing its roots back to Philo's approach to biblical texts.