Professor Josef Lossl
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for Josef Lossl
Professor of Historical Theology and Intellectual History
Overview
Research interests
- Late antique religious and intellectual culture and its legacy
Research projects
- Kommentar zu frühchristlichen Apologeten (Tatian, Oration to the Greeks)
- Critical debates in global Late Antiquity (race and empire)
- Demons and demonologies in ancient Judaism and Christianity
- Coping with grief: the western tradition
- Origins of political concepts in early Christian thought
Editorial activities
- Executive Editor, Vigiliae Christianae: A review of early Christian life and language
- Editorial Board, Vigiliae Christianae Supplements
- Editorial Board, The Journal of Theological Studies
- Editorial Board, Vetus Testamentum Patristicum
- Managing Editor, Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture
- Associate Editor, Journal of Late Antiquity
- Associate Editor, Studia Patristica
Research groups
- Religion in Late Antiquity
- Centre for Late Antique Religion and Culture
Publication
2025
- Lössl, J. 2025. Julian of Aeclanum as a biblical exegete. In: Dupont, A., Malavasi, G. and Matz, B. eds. The Oxford Handbook of the Pelagian Controversy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 296-314., (10.1093/oxfordhb/9780192855398.013.0019)
2024
- Lossl, J. 2024. Book Review: Zacher, Florian, Marius Victorinus als christlicher Philosoph: Die trinitätstheologischen Schriften des Gaius Marius Victorinus und ihre philosophie-, kirchen- und theologiegeschichtlichen Kontexte. Patristische Texte und Studien 80. Berlin und New York: De Gruyter, 2023. VIII+588 pages. ISBN: 978-3-11-099277-9.. Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 18(2), pp. 95-102. (10.18573/jlarc.151)
- Lossl, J. 2024. Law and the Church Fathers. In: Witte, J. and Domingo, R. eds. The Oxford Handbook of Christianity and Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 31-44., (10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197606759.013.3)
- Lossl, J. 2024. Trost (Trostschriften). Reallexikon für Antike und Christentum 32, pp. 1084-1110.
2023
- Lossl, J. 2023. Early Christian Involvement in Classcial Education, Literature and Philosophy. In: Longenecker, B. W. and Wilhite, D. E. eds. The Cambridge History of Ancient Christianity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 276-297., (10.1017/9781108620420.016)
- Lossl, J. 2023. Review of Thurner, Die Geburt des Christentums als Religion (2021). Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 16, pp. 50-55. (10.18573/jlarc.138)
- Lossl, J. 2023. Paulus in der Theologie des 2. Jahrhunderts: Das Beispiel von Tatians Rede an die Griechen. In: Frey, J., Schröter, J. and Wallraff, M. eds. Paulusmemoria und Paulusexegese. Rom und Protestantismus - Schriften des Melanchthon Zentrums in Rom 5 Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, pp. 290-314., (10.1628/978-3-16-162240-3)
2022
- Patmore, H. and Lossl, J. 2022. Demons in early Judaism and Christianity: characters and characteristics. Ancient Judaism and Early Christianity Vol. 113. Leiden: Brill.
- Lossl, J. 2022. Epistolarity, commentary, and profession of faith: reading marius victorinus's fictional exchange with candidus in the context of his conversion. In: Cooper, S. and Nemec, V. eds. The Philosophy, Theology, and Rhetoric of Marius Victorinus. Writings from the Greco-Roman World Supplements Vol. 20. Atlanta, GA: SBL Press, pp. 237-266.
- Lossl, J. 2022. The demonogony of Tatian's Oratio ad Graecos: Jewish and Greek influences. In: Patmore, H. and Lossl, J. eds. Demons in Early Judaism and Christianity. Ancient Judaism and Early Christianity Vol. 113. Leiden: Brill, pp. 155-181., (10.1163/9789004518148_009)
2021
- Lossl, J. 2021. Celsus on Christianity - a detractor with a constructive agenda: a response to Loveday Alexander. In: Paget, J. C. and Gathercole, S. eds. Celsus in His World: Philosophy, Polemic, and Religion in the Second Century. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 288-296., (10.1017/9781108957861)
- Lossl, J. 2021. A clash between Paideia and Pneuma? Ecstatic women prophets and theological education in the Second-Century Church. In: Methuen, C., Ryrie, A. and Spicer, A. eds. Inspiration and Institution in Christian History. Studies in Church History Vol. 57. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 32-53., (10.1017/stc.2021.3)
- Lossl, J. 2021. Greek and Barbarian paideia in Tatian's Oratio ad Graecos. In: Baker-Brian, N. and Lossl, J. eds. Studia Patristica. Vol. CII - Including Papers Presented at the Seventh British Patristics Conference, Cardiff, 5-7 September 2018. Peeters, pp. 79-102., (10.2307/j.ctv1q26vjd)
- Baker-Brian, N. J. and Lossl, J. 2021. Introduction. In: Baker-Brian, N. J. and Lossl, J. eds. Studia Patristica CII. Papers presented at the Seventh British Patristics Conference 5-7 September 2018. Studia Patristica Vol. 102. Peeters
- Baker-Brian, N. J. and Lossl, J. eds. 2021. Studia Patristica CII. Including papers presented at the Seventh British Patristics Conference, Cardiff, 5-7 September 2018. Peeters.
- Lossl, J. 2021. Marius Victorinus: some observations on his use of commentarial techniques in his 'theological treatises'. In: Verheyden, J. and Nicklas, T. eds. Early Christian Commentators of the New Testament. Leuven: Peeters
- Lossl, J. 2021. Tatian, Theophilus of Antioch, and Irenaeus of Lyons. In: Edwards, M. ed. The Routledge Handbook of Early Christian Philosophy. Abingdon and New Yorl: Routledge, pp. 342-356.
2020
- Lossl, J. 2020. The religious innovator Tatian: a precursor of Mani in Syrian Christianity?. In: Van Oort, J. ed. Manichaeism and Early Christianity: Selected Papers from the 2019 Pretoria Congress., Vol. 99. Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies Leiden: Brill, pp. 1-23.
- Lossl, J. 2020. Die verurteilung des origenes und die spätantike kirche des westens: der fall des Pseudoaugustinischen Traktats De incarnatione et deitate Christi ad Ianuarium. In: Fürst, A. ed. Verurteilung des Origenes: Kaiser Justinian und das Konzil von Konstantinopel 553. Adamantiana Vol. 15. Münster: Aschendorff, pp. 149-167.
- Lossl, J. 2020. Christliche rede von Gott im zweiten jahrhundert: Tatians rede an die Griechen. [MP4 Video]. Medienportal Universität Freiburg: Universität Freiburg. Available at: https://videoportal.uni-freiburg.de/video/Christliche-Rede-von-Gott-im-zweiten-Jahrhundert/0b8b44d40eda4adc6cbb292cf980084c
- Lossl, J. 2020. Augustine and the common good. In: Domingo, R. and Witte, J. eds. Christianity and Global Law: An Introduction. Law and Christianity Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 31-50.
- Lossl, J. 2020. Augustine and Julian of Aeclanum on human dignity. In: Dupont, A., François, W. and Leemans, J. eds. 'Nos sumus tempora'. Studies on Augustine and his Reception Offered to M. Lamberigts. Peeters, Leuven, pp. 171-188.
- Lossl, J. 2020. Between Hipparchian Cynicism and Priscillian Montanism: some notes on Tatian, or. 3.6. Vigiliae Christianae 75(1), pp. 84-107. (10.1163/15700720-12341420)
2019
- Lossl, J. 2019. Imperial involvement in education and theology: Constantine to Constantius II. Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 13, pp. 22-41. (10.18573/jlarc.114)
- Lossl, J. 2019. The pre-Christian concept of human dignity in Greek and Roman antiquity. In: Loughlin, J. ed. Human Dignity in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition: Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Orthodox Perspectives. London: Bloomsbury, pp. 37-56.
- Lossl, J. 2019. Commentaries. In: Blowers, P. and Martens, P. eds. The Oxford Handbook of Early Christian Biblical Interpretation. Oxford Handbooks Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 171-186.
2018
- Lossl, J. 2018. Die Motive Reden, Schweigen und Hören als Mittel brieflicher Kommunikation. In: Bauer, T. J. and Möllendorff, P. v. eds. Die Briefe des Ignatios von Antiochia: Motive, Strategien, Kontexte. Millennium-Studien / Millennium Studies Vol. 72. Berlin and Boston: Walter de Gruyter, pp. 69-92.
- Lossl, J. 2018. Religion in the Hellenistic and early post-Hellenistic era. In: Lossl, J. and Baker-Brian, N. eds. A Companion to Religion in Late Antiquity. Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World Chichester: Wiley, pp. 33-60.
- Lossl, J. and Baker-Brian, N. J. eds. 2018. A companion to religion in Late Antiquity. Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World. Chichester: Wiley. (10.1002/9781118968130)
- Lossl, J. 2018. Latin Christian Literature I (polemical and theological writings). In: Toom, T. ed. Augustine in Context. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 94-101., (10.1017/9781316488409)
2017
- Lossl, J. 2017. Origenis Vita. Beobachtungen zur Biographie des Origenes in den Origeniana Pierre-Daniel Huets. In: Fürst, A. ed. Origenes in Frankreich. Die Origeniana Pierre Daniel Huets. Adamantiana Vol. 10. Münster: Aschendorff, pp. 91-113.
2016
- Lössl, J. 2016. Theology as academic discourse in Greco-Roman Late Antiquity. Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 10, pp. 38-72. (10.18573/j.2016.10116)
- Lossl, J. 2016. Date and location of Tatian's 'Ad Graecos': some old and new thoughts. In: Vincent, M. and Brent, A. eds. Studia Patristica: Vol. LXXIV - Including Papers presented at the Fifth British Patristics Conference, London, 3-5 September 2014. Studia Patristica Vol. 74. Leuven: Peeters, pp. 43-56.
2015
- Lossl, J. 2015. Amt als Lehramt: Kirche und Schule im zweiten Jahrhundert. Zeitschrift für katholische Theologie 137(3-4), pp. 366-384.
2014
- Lossl, J. 2014. An inextinguishable memory: 'Pagan' past and presence in early Christian writing. In: Harrison, C., Humfress, C. and Sandwell, I. eds. Being Christian in Late Antiquity: A Festschrift for Gillian Clark., Vol. 1. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 74-89.
2013
- Lossl, J. 2013. Augustine on "The True Religion": reflections of Manichaeism in "De vera religione". In: Van Oort, J. ed. Augustine and Manichaean Christianity. Selected Papers from the First South African Conference on Augustine of Hippo, University of Pretoria, 24-26 April 2012. Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies Vol. 83. Leiden: Brill, pp. 137-153., (10.1163/9789004255067_009)
- Lossl, J. 2013. Intellect and grace in Augustine of Hippo. Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 7, pp. 15-25. (10.18573/j.2013.10315)
- Lossl, J. 2013. George Rusts Darstellung der Geschichte des ersten Origenismusstreits im "Letter of Resolution". In: Fürst, A. and Hengstermann, C. eds. Die "Cambridge Origenists". Georg Rusts "Letter of Resolution Concerning Origen and the Chief of His Opinions". Adamantiana Vol. 4. Münster: Aschendorff, pp. 59-83.
- Lossl, J. 2013. Stephen R. L. Clark, Ancient Mediterranean Philosophy. An Introduction (London: Bloomsbury, 2013; xiv+245 pp. ISBN: 9781441123596. £16.99 (P). / Jörg Trelenberg, Tatianos. Oratio ad Graecos. Rede an die Griechen (Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2012); x + 308 pp. [book reviews]. Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 7, pp. 101-110. (10.18573/j.2013.10320)
- Lossl, J. 2013. Profaning and proscribing: Escalating rhetorical violence in fourth century Christian apologetic. In: Quiroga Puertas, A. J. ed. The Purpose of Rhetoric in Late Antiquity. Studien und Texte zu Antike und Christentum Vol. 72. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, pp. 71-87.
- Lossl, J. 2013. Continuity and transformation of ancient consolation in Augustine of Hippo. In: Baltussen, H. ed. Greek and Roman Consolations. Eight Studies of a Tradition and its Afterlife. Swansea: Classical Press of Wales, pp. 153-175.
2012
- Lossl, J. 2012. Sprachlich-ästhetische Darstellung und "Anwendung" von Gewalt in Texten frühchristlicher Apologeten - das Beispiel der Rede Tatians an die Griechen. Zeitschrift für Religionswissenschaft 20(2), pp. 196-222. (10.1515/zfr-2012-0008)
- Lossl, J. 2012. Julian's "Consolation to Himself on the Departure of the Excellent Salutius": Rhetoric and philosophy in the Fourth Century. In: Baker-Brian, N. and Tougher, S. eds. Emperor and Author. The Writings of Julian the Apostate. Swansea: The Classical Press of Wales, pp. 61-74.
- Lossl, J. 2012. Gotteslehre und Christologie in Anne Conway's "Principia Philosophiae": Frühchristlich-Patristische Einflüsse und Merkmale. In: Hengstermann, C. and Weichert, U. eds. Anne Conway's "Principia Philosophiae". Materialismuskritik und Alleinheits-Spekulation im neuzeitlichen England. PONTES. Philosophisch-theologische Brückenschläge Vol. 52. Münster: LIT, pp. 109-122.
- Lossl, J. 2012. Augustine's use of Aristotle's categories in 'De Trinitate' in light of the history of the Latin text of the categories before Boethius. In: Bermon, E. and O'Daly, G. J. P. eds. Le De Trinitate de saint Augustin: exégèse, logique et noétique. Actes du colloque international de Bordeaux, 16-19 juin 2010. Paris: Institut D'études Augustiniennes, pp. 107-129.
2011
- Lössl, J. and Watt, J. W. eds. 2011. Interpreting the Bible and Aristotle in late antiquity: The Alexandrian commentary tradition between Rome and Bagdhad. Farnham: Ashgate.
- Lössl, J. 2011. The Bible and Aristotle in the controversy between Augustine and Julian of Aeclanum. In: Lössl, J. and Watt, J. W. eds. Interpreting the Bible and Aristotle in Late Antiquity: The Alexandrian Commentary Tradition between Rome and Bagdhad. Farnham: Ashgate, pp. 111-120.
2010
- Lössl, J. 2010. The early church: History and memory. London: Continuum/ T&T Clark International.
- Lössl, J. 2010. Pauline exegesis in Patristic commentaries of Old Testament Prophets: the example of Julian of Aeclanum's Tractatus in Amos. Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 4, pp. 1-27. (10.18573/j.2010.10301)
- Lossl, J. 2010. Zwischen Christologie und Rhetorik. Zum Ausdruck "Kraft des Wortes" in Tatians "Rede an die Griechen". In: Prostmeier, F. R. and Lona, H. E. eds. Logos der Vernunft, Logos des Glaubens. Millennium-Studies Vol. 31. Berlin: De Gruyter, pp. 129-147.
- Lossl, J. 2010. Augustine's Confessions as a Consolation of Philosophy. In: Berg, J. v. d. et al. eds. 'In Search of Truth': Augustine, Manichaeism and Other Gnosticism. Studies for Johannes van Oort at Sixty. Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies Vol. 74. Leiden: Brill, pp. 47-73.
- Lössl, J. 2010. Intellektualistischer Voluntarismus - Der Willensbegriff Augustins von Hippo. In: Müller, J. and Hofmeister Pich, R. eds. Wille und Handlung in der Philosophie der Kaiserzeit und Spätantike. Beiträge zur Altertumskunde Vol. 287. Berlin: De Gruyter, pp. 301-330., (10.1515/9783110221329.301)
2009
- Cain, A. and Lossl, J. eds. 2009. Jerome of Stridon: His life, writings, and legacy. Farnham: Ashgate.
2008
- Lossl, J. 2008. Augustinus-Lexikon, Vol. 3, Fasc. 1 / 2, Figura(e) – Hieronymus, ed. C. Mayer, Basel: Schwabe, 2004. ISBN: 3796520499; xii + 320 cols. Augustinus-Lexikon, Vol. 3, Fasc. 3 / 4, Hieronymus – Institutio, institutum, ed. C. Mayer, Basel: Schwabe, 2006; ISBN-10: 3796521452; cols. 321-640. [book review]. Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 2, pp. 44-46. (10.18573/j.2008.10296)
- Lossl, J. 2008. Palamite soteriology in Augustinian dress? Observations on Prochoros Kydones' writings and translations of works of Augustine. Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 2, pp. 33-43. (10.18573/j.2008.10295)
2007
- Lössl, J. 2007. Augustinus, De vera religione / Über die wahre Religion. Einleitung, Text, Übersetzung und Kommentar. Schöningh.
- Lossl, J. 2007. Poets, prophets, critics, and exegetes in classical and biblical antiquity and Early Christianity. Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 1, pp. 1-16. (10.18573/j.2007.10290)
2004
- Lössl, J. 2004. When is a locust just a locust? Patristic exegesis of Joel 1:4 in the light of ancient literary theory. The Journal of Theological Studies 55(2), pp. 575-599. (10.1093/jts/55.2.575)
2002
- Lössl, J. 2002. Julian of Aeclanum on pain. Journal of Early Christian Studies 10(2), pp. 203-243. (10.1353/earl.2002.0022)
2001
- Lössl, J. 2001. Julian von Aeclanum. Studien zu seinem leben, seinem werk, seiner lehre und ihrer Überlieferung. Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae : Texts and Studies of early Christian Life and Language Vol. 60. Berlin: Brill.
Articles
- Lossl, J. 2024. Book Review: Zacher, Florian, Marius Victorinus als christlicher Philosoph: Die trinitätstheologischen Schriften des Gaius Marius Victorinus und ihre philosophie-, kirchen- und theologiegeschichtlichen Kontexte. Patristische Texte und Studien 80. Berlin und New York: De Gruyter, 2023. VIII+588 pages. ISBN: 978-3-11-099277-9.. Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 18(2), pp. 95-102. (10.18573/jlarc.151)
- Lossl, J. 2024. Trost (Trostschriften). Reallexikon für Antike und Christentum 32, pp. 1084-1110.
- Lossl, J. 2023. Review of Thurner, Die Geburt des Christentums als Religion (2021). Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 16, pp. 50-55. (10.18573/jlarc.138)
- Lossl, J. 2020. Between Hipparchian Cynicism and Priscillian Montanism: some notes on Tatian, or. 3.6. Vigiliae Christianae 75(1), pp. 84-107. (10.1163/15700720-12341420)
- Lossl, J. 2019. Imperial involvement in education and theology: Constantine to Constantius II. Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 13, pp. 22-41. (10.18573/jlarc.114)
- Lössl, J. 2016. Theology as academic discourse in Greco-Roman Late Antiquity. Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 10, pp. 38-72. (10.18573/j.2016.10116)
- Lossl, J. 2015. Amt als Lehramt: Kirche und Schule im zweiten Jahrhundert. Zeitschrift für katholische Theologie 137(3-4), pp. 366-384.
- Lossl, J. 2013. Intellect and grace in Augustine of Hippo. Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 7, pp. 15-25. (10.18573/j.2013.10315)
- Lossl, J. 2013. Stephen R. L. Clark, Ancient Mediterranean Philosophy. An Introduction (London: Bloomsbury, 2013; xiv+245 pp. ISBN: 9781441123596. £16.99 (P). / Jörg Trelenberg, Tatianos. Oratio ad Graecos. Rede an die Griechen (Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2012); x + 308 pp. [book reviews]. Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 7, pp. 101-110. (10.18573/j.2013.10320)
- Lossl, J. 2012. Sprachlich-ästhetische Darstellung und "Anwendung" von Gewalt in Texten frühchristlicher Apologeten - das Beispiel der Rede Tatians an die Griechen. Zeitschrift für Religionswissenschaft 20(2), pp. 196-222. (10.1515/zfr-2012-0008)
- Lössl, J. 2010. Pauline exegesis in Patristic commentaries of Old Testament Prophets: the example of Julian of Aeclanum's Tractatus in Amos. Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 4, pp. 1-27. (10.18573/j.2010.10301)
- Lossl, J. 2008. Augustinus-Lexikon, Vol. 3, Fasc. 1 / 2, Figura(e) – Hieronymus, ed. C. Mayer, Basel: Schwabe, 2004. ISBN: 3796520499; xii + 320 cols. Augustinus-Lexikon, Vol. 3, Fasc. 3 / 4, Hieronymus – Institutio, institutum, ed. C. Mayer, Basel: Schwabe, 2006; ISBN-10: 3796521452; cols. 321-640. [book review]. Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 2, pp. 44-46. (10.18573/j.2008.10296)
- Lossl, J. 2008. Palamite soteriology in Augustinian dress? Observations on Prochoros Kydones' writings and translations of works of Augustine. Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 2, pp. 33-43. (10.18573/j.2008.10295)
- Lossl, J. 2007. Poets, prophets, critics, and exegetes in classical and biblical antiquity and Early Christianity. Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture 1, pp. 1-16. (10.18573/j.2007.10290)
- Lössl, J. 2004. When is a locust just a locust? Patristic exegesis of Joel 1:4 in the light of ancient literary theory. The Journal of Theological Studies 55(2), pp. 575-599. (10.1093/jts/55.2.575)
- Lössl, J. 2002. Julian of Aeclanum on pain. Journal of Early Christian Studies 10(2), pp. 203-243. (10.1353/earl.2002.0022)
Book sections
- Lössl, J. 2025. Julian of Aeclanum as a biblical exegete. In: Dupont, A., Malavasi, G. and Matz, B. eds. The Oxford Handbook of the Pelagian Controversy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 296-314., (10.1093/oxfordhb/9780192855398.013.0019)
- Lossl, J. 2024. Law and the Church Fathers. In: Witte, J. and Domingo, R. eds. The Oxford Handbook of Christianity and Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 31-44., (10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197606759.013.3)
- Lossl, J. 2023. Early Christian Involvement in Classcial Education, Literature and Philosophy. In: Longenecker, B. W. and Wilhite, D. E. eds. The Cambridge History of Ancient Christianity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 276-297., (10.1017/9781108620420.016)
- Lossl, J. 2023. Paulus in der Theologie des 2. Jahrhunderts: Das Beispiel von Tatians Rede an die Griechen. In: Frey, J., Schröter, J. and Wallraff, M. eds. Paulusmemoria und Paulusexegese. Rom und Protestantismus - Schriften des Melanchthon Zentrums in Rom 5 Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, pp. 290-314., (10.1628/978-3-16-162240-3)
- Lossl, J. 2022. Epistolarity, commentary, and profession of faith: reading marius victorinus's fictional exchange with candidus in the context of his conversion. In: Cooper, S. and Nemec, V. eds. The Philosophy, Theology, and Rhetoric of Marius Victorinus. Writings from the Greco-Roman World Supplements Vol. 20. Atlanta, GA: SBL Press, pp. 237-266.
- Lossl, J. 2022. The demonogony of Tatian's Oratio ad Graecos: Jewish and Greek influences. In: Patmore, H. and Lossl, J. eds. Demons in Early Judaism and Christianity. Ancient Judaism and Early Christianity Vol. 113. Leiden: Brill, pp. 155-181., (10.1163/9789004518148_009)
- Lossl, J. 2021. Celsus on Christianity - a detractor with a constructive agenda: a response to Loveday Alexander. In: Paget, J. C. and Gathercole, S. eds. Celsus in His World: Philosophy, Polemic, and Religion in the Second Century. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 288-296., (10.1017/9781108957861)
- Lossl, J. 2021. A clash between Paideia and Pneuma? Ecstatic women prophets and theological education in the Second-Century Church. In: Methuen, C., Ryrie, A. and Spicer, A. eds. Inspiration and Institution in Christian History. Studies in Church History Vol. 57. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 32-53., (10.1017/stc.2021.3)
- Lossl, J. 2021. Greek and Barbarian paideia in Tatian's Oratio ad Graecos. In: Baker-Brian, N. and Lossl, J. eds. Studia Patristica. Vol. CII - Including Papers Presented at the Seventh British Patristics Conference, Cardiff, 5-7 September 2018. Peeters, pp. 79-102., (10.2307/j.ctv1q26vjd)
- Baker-Brian, N. J. and Lossl, J. 2021. Introduction. In: Baker-Brian, N. J. and Lossl, J. eds. Studia Patristica CII. Papers presented at the Seventh British Patristics Conference 5-7 September 2018. Studia Patristica Vol. 102. Peeters
- Lossl, J. 2021. Marius Victorinus: some observations on his use of commentarial techniques in his 'theological treatises'. In: Verheyden, J. and Nicklas, T. eds. Early Christian Commentators of the New Testament. Leuven: Peeters
- Lossl, J. 2021. Tatian, Theophilus of Antioch, and Irenaeus of Lyons. In: Edwards, M. ed. The Routledge Handbook of Early Christian Philosophy. Abingdon and New Yorl: Routledge, pp. 342-356.
- Lossl, J. 2020. The religious innovator Tatian: a precursor of Mani in Syrian Christianity?. In: Van Oort, J. ed. Manichaeism and Early Christianity: Selected Papers from the 2019 Pretoria Congress., Vol. 99. Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies Leiden: Brill, pp. 1-23.
- Lossl, J. 2020. Die verurteilung des origenes und die spätantike kirche des westens: der fall des Pseudoaugustinischen Traktats De incarnatione et deitate Christi ad Ianuarium. In: Fürst, A. ed. Verurteilung des Origenes: Kaiser Justinian und das Konzil von Konstantinopel 553. Adamantiana Vol. 15. Münster: Aschendorff, pp. 149-167.
- Lossl, J. 2020. Augustine and the common good. In: Domingo, R. and Witte, J. eds. Christianity and Global Law: An Introduction. Law and Christianity Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 31-50.
- Lossl, J. 2020. Augustine and Julian of Aeclanum on human dignity. In: Dupont, A., François, W. and Leemans, J. eds. 'Nos sumus tempora'. Studies on Augustine and his Reception Offered to M. Lamberigts. Peeters, Leuven, pp. 171-188.
- Lossl, J. 2019. The pre-Christian concept of human dignity in Greek and Roman antiquity. In: Loughlin, J. ed. Human Dignity in the Judaeo-Christian Tradition: Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican and Orthodox Perspectives. London: Bloomsbury, pp. 37-56.
- Lossl, J. 2019. Commentaries. In: Blowers, P. and Martens, P. eds. The Oxford Handbook of Early Christian Biblical Interpretation. Oxford Handbooks Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 171-186.
- Lossl, J. 2018. Die Motive Reden, Schweigen und Hören als Mittel brieflicher Kommunikation. In: Bauer, T. J. and Möllendorff, P. v. eds. Die Briefe des Ignatios von Antiochia: Motive, Strategien, Kontexte. Millennium-Studien / Millennium Studies Vol. 72. Berlin and Boston: Walter de Gruyter, pp. 69-92.
- Lossl, J. 2018. Religion in the Hellenistic and early post-Hellenistic era. In: Lossl, J. and Baker-Brian, N. eds. A Companion to Religion in Late Antiquity. Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World Chichester: Wiley, pp. 33-60.
- Lossl, J. 2018. Latin Christian Literature I (polemical and theological writings). In: Toom, T. ed. Augustine in Context. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 94-101., (10.1017/9781316488409)
- Lossl, J. 2017. Origenis Vita. Beobachtungen zur Biographie des Origenes in den Origeniana Pierre-Daniel Huets. In: Fürst, A. ed. Origenes in Frankreich. Die Origeniana Pierre Daniel Huets. Adamantiana Vol. 10. Münster: Aschendorff, pp. 91-113.
- Lossl, J. 2016. Date and location of Tatian's 'Ad Graecos': some old and new thoughts. In: Vincent, M. and Brent, A. eds. Studia Patristica: Vol. LXXIV - Including Papers presented at the Fifth British Patristics Conference, London, 3-5 September 2014. Studia Patristica Vol. 74. Leuven: Peeters, pp. 43-56.
- Lossl, J. 2014. An inextinguishable memory: 'Pagan' past and presence in early Christian writing. In: Harrison, C., Humfress, C. and Sandwell, I. eds. Being Christian in Late Antiquity: A Festschrift for Gillian Clark., Vol. 1. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 74-89.
- Lossl, J. 2013. Augustine on "The True Religion": reflections of Manichaeism in "De vera religione". In: Van Oort, J. ed. Augustine and Manichaean Christianity. Selected Papers from the First South African Conference on Augustine of Hippo, University of Pretoria, 24-26 April 2012. Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies Vol. 83. Leiden: Brill, pp. 137-153., (10.1163/9789004255067_009)
- Lossl, J. 2013. George Rusts Darstellung der Geschichte des ersten Origenismusstreits im "Letter of Resolution". In: Fürst, A. and Hengstermann, C. eds. Die "Cambridge Origenists". Georg Rusts "Letter of Resolution Concerning Origen and the Chief of His Opinions". Adamantiana Vol. 4. Münster: Aschendorff, pp. 59-83.
- Lossl, J. 2013. Profaning and proscribing: Escalating rhetorical violence in fourth century Christian apologetic. In: Quiroga Puertas, A. J. ed. The Purpose of Rhetoric in Late Antiquity. Studien und Texte zu Antike und Christentum Vol. 72. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, pp. 71-87.
- Lossl, J. 2013. Continuity and transformation of ancient consolation in Augustine of Hippo. In: Baltussen, H. ed. Greek and Roman Consolations. Eight Studies of a Tradition and its Afterlife. Swansea: Classical Press of Wales, pp. 153-175.
- Lossl, J. 2012. Julian's "Consolation to Himself on the Departure of the Excellent Salutius": Rhetoric and philosophy in the Fourth Century. In: Baker-Brian, N. and Tougher, S. eds. Emperor and Author. The Writings of Julian the Apostate. Swansea: The Classical Press of Wales, pp. 61-74.
- Lossl, J. 2012. Gotteslehre und Christologie in Anne Conway's "Principia Philosophiae": Frühchristlich-Patristische Einflüsse und Merkmale. In: Hengstermann, C. and Weichert, U. eds. Anne Conway's "Principia Philosophiae". Materialismuskritik und Alleinheits-Spekulation im neuzeitlichen England. PONTES. Philosophisch-theologische Brückenschläge Vol. 52. Münster: LIT, pp. 109-122.
- Lossl, J. 2012. Augustine's use of Aristotle's categories in 'De Trinitate' in light of the history of the Latin text of the categories before Boethius. In: Bermon, E. and O'Daly, G. J. P. eds. Le De Trinitate de saint Augustin: exégèse, logique et noétique. Actes du colloque international de Bordeaux, 16-19 juin 2010. Paris: Institut D'études Augustiniennes, pp. 107-129.
- Lössl, J. 2011. The Bible and Aristotle in the controversy between Augustine and Julian of Aeclanum. In: Lössl, J. and Watt, J. W. eds. Interpreting the Bible and Aristotle in Late Antiquity: The Alexandrian Commentary Tradition between Rome and Bagdhad. Farnham: Ashgate, pp. 111-120.
- Lossl, J. 2010. Zwischen Christologie und Rhetorik. Zum Ausdruck "Kraft des Wortes" in Tatians "Rede an die Griechen". In: Prostmeier, F. R. and Lona, H. E. eds. Logos der Vernunft, Logos des Glaubens. Millennium-Studies Vol. 31. Berlin: De Gruyter, pp. 129-147.
- Lossl, J. 2010. Augustine's Confessions as a Consolation of Philosophy. In: Berg, J. v. d. et al. eds. 'In Search of Truth': Augustine, Manichaeism and Other Gnosticism. Studies for Johannes van Oort at Sixty. Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies Vol. 74. Leiden: Brill, pp. 47-73.
- Lössl, J. 2010. Intellektualistischer Voluntarismus - Der Willensbegriff Augustins von Hippo. In: Müller, J. and Hofmeister Pich, R. eds. Wille und Handlung in der Philosophie der Kaiserzeit und Spätantike. Beiträge zur Altertumskunde Vol. 287. Berlin: De Gruyter, pp. 301-330., (10.1515/9783110221329.301)
Books
- Patmore, H. and Lossl, J. 2022. Demons in early Judaism and Christianity: characters and characteristics. Ancient Judaism and Early Christianity Vol. 113. Leiden: Brill.
- Baker-Brian, N. J. and Lossl, J. eds. 2021. Studia Patristica CII. Including papers presented at the Seventh British Patristics Conference, Cardiff, 5-7 September 2018. Peeters.
- Lossl, J. and Baker-Brian, N. J. eds. 2018. A companion to religion in Late Antiquity. Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World. Chichester: Wiley. (10.1002/9781118968130)
- Lössl, J. and Watt, J. W. eds. 2011. Interpreting the Bible and Aristotle in late antiquity: The Alexandrian commentary tradition between Rome and Bagdhad. Farnham: Ashgate.
- Lössl, J. 2010. The early church: History and memory. London: Continuum/ T&T Clark International.
- Cain, A. and Lossl, J. eds. 2009. Jerome of Stridon: His life, writings, and legacy. Farnham: Ashgate.
- Lössl, J. 2007. Augustinus, De vera religione / Über die wahre Religion. Einleitung, Text, Übersetzung und Kommentar. Schöningh.
- Lössl, J. 2001. Julian von Aeclanum. Studien zu seinem leben, seinem werk, seiner lehre und ihrer Überlieferung. Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae : Texts and Studies of early Christian Life and Language Vol. 60. Berlin: Brill.
Videos
- Lossl, J. 2020. Christliche rede von Gott im zweiten jahrhundert: Tatians rede an die Griechen. [MP4 Video]. Medienportal Universität Freiburg: Universität Freiburg. Available at: https://videoportal.uni-freiburg.de/video/Christliche-Rede-von-Gott-im-zweiten-Jahrhundert/0b8b44d40eda4adc6cbb292cf980084c
Research
My research is in early Christian Greek and Latin literature. I am interested in the way early Christian texts convey historical, biblical, philological, philosophical, theological and scientific learning. I am also interested in the rhetorical and literary forms and transformations of these texts. I am pursuing, among others, the following themes and projects:
Julian of Aeclanum and the Second Pelagian Controversy
Having already published extensively on Julian of Aeclanum I am continuing to undertake research on various aspects of his life, writings, thought, and reception with the aim of producing a comprehensive study of this fascinating figure of late-antique Latin Christianity. My most recent publication in this area is in The Oxford Handbook on the Pelagian Controversy (2025) where I discuss Julian of Aeclanum as a biblical exegete.
Tatian, Ad Graecos / To the Greeks. Translation with introduction and commentary
I am currently writing the first ever commentary on Tatian's Oration to the Greeks, a second-century Greek apology, to be published in the series Kommentar zu frühchristlichen Apologeten (KfA; Freiburg: Herder).
Biblical and Philosophical Exegesis in Late-Antique Latin
This project emerged from a longterm project of comparing Latin and Syriac commentarial literature. It constitutes the Latin part of that project and consists of a number of ongoing projects on biblical and philosophical exegetes and their work including Jerome, Marius Victorinus, Victorinus of Pettau, Augustine, Pelagius and Julian of Aeclanum, and aims at a comprehensive study of late-antique biblical and philosophical exegesis in Latin.
Classical and Early Christian Historiography
This project is closely linked with my contribution (as sub-editor for Antiquity and Late Antiquity) to the Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle-project. I am interested in the origins of historiography and in links between ancient classical, biblical, early Christian and late-antique historiography and between 'histories', 'chronicles' and other forms of historiography (including 'lives', 'letters', 'commentaries' etc.).
Themes in Early Christian and Late-Antique Intellectual Culture
I am also engaged in a number of studies, some already published, some awaiting publication, or being in preparation, which touch upon a variety of issues concerning religion in Late Antiquity, and especially Christianity:
- Consolation: The transformation of a genre in Late Antiquity
- Narrative, system and ritual in ancient cosmologies and their reception
- Demons and demonology in early Christian thought and doctrine
- Social ethical themes in early Christian and late-antique thought
- Political concepts and their origins in late-antique thought
- The role of memory in the formation of Christian identity
- Education and intellectual formation in early Christianity
- History and prophecy
Groups
I am a member of the following research groups and centres:
- Centre for Late Antique Religion and Culture
- Religion in Late Antiquity
Teaching
Teaching profile
I am teaching in various roles and modules on the BA Religion and Theology and BA Religion, Philosophy and Ethics.
Postgraduate students
I am currently supervising the following PhD project:
- Ewan Davies, Photius of Constantinople's Teaching on the Trinity
Biography
Education and qualifications
- PhD Theology (Historical Theology), University of Regensburg (1996)
- PhD Habil. History of the Early Church, Patristics and Christian Archaeology, University of Münster (2001)
- Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, University College London (2003)
Career overview
- 2010- Professor, Historical Theology, Intellectual History (Patristics and Late Antiquity), Cardiff University
- 2006-2010 Reader, Religious Studies and Theology (Patristics and Late Antiquity), Cardiff University
- 2006-2006 Senior Lecturer, Religious Studies and Theology (Patristics and Late Antiquity), Cardiff University
- 2003-2006 Lecturer, Religious Studies and Theology (Patristics and Late Antiquity), Cardiff University
- 2002-2003 Humboldt Research Fellow, Classics (School of Greek and Latin), University College London
- 2000-2002 Junior Research Fellow, Theology (Patristics and Church History), Catholic University Leuven
- 1996-2000 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Theology (Early Christianity and Patristics), King's College London
- 1993-1996 PhD Research Student, Theology (Early Christianity), University of Regensburg
Honours and awards
- Leverhulme International Academic Fellowship, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau, 2019
- Cardiff University, AHSS Research Leave Award, 2013
- Visiting Senior Fellowship, Excellenz-Cluster 'Religion und Politik', University of Münster, 2010
- Alexander-von-Humboldt Fellowship (Feodor Lynen), University College London, 2002
- Visiting Junior Fellowship, Catholic University Leuven, 2000
- Postdoctoral Overseas Award, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), King's College London, 1997
- OBAG (EON) Prize for outstanding PhD of the year, University of Regensburg, 1996
Professional memberships
- Senior Fellowship, Higher Education Academy (HEA)
- Fellowship, Alexander-von-Humboldt Foundation
- UK Representative, Association internationale des études patristiques (AIEP)
- Director, International Patristics Conference, Oxford
Academic positions
- 2010- Professor, Historical Theology, Intellectual History (Patristics and Late Antiquity), Cardiff University
- 2006-2010 Reader, Religious Studies and Theology (Patristics and Late Antiquity), Cardiff University
- 2006-2006 Senior Lecturer, Religious Studies and Theology (Patristics and Late Antiquity), Cardiff University
- 2003-2006 Lecturer, Religious Studies and Theology (Patristics and Late Antiquity), Cardiff University
- 2002-2003 Humboldt Research Fellow, Classics (School of Greek and Latin), University College London
- 2000-2002 Junior Research Fellow, Theology (Patristics and Church History), Catholic University Leuven
- 1996-2000 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Theology (Early Christianity and Patristics), King's College London
- 1993-1996 PhD Research Student, Theology (Early Christianity), University of Regensburg
Committees and reviewing
- Executive Editor, Vigiliae Christianae: A Review of Early Christian Life and Language (De Gruyter - Brill)
- Associate Editor, Journal of Late Antiquity (Johns Hopkins University Press)
- Managing Editor, Journal for Late Antique Religion and Culture (Cardiff University Press)
- Editorial Board, Vigiliae Christianae Supplements (De Gruyter - Brill)
- Editorial Board, Critical Debates in Global Late Antiquity (Routledge)
- Editorial Board, Vetus Testamentum Patristicum (De Gruyter - Brill)
- Editorial Board, Brepols Library of Christian Sources (Brepols)
- Editorial Board, Studia Patristica (Peeters)
- Peer reviewer, The Journal of Theological Studies, The Journal of Ecclesiastical History, Journal of Early Christian Studies, Journal of Ancient Christianity, Augustinian Studies, Augustinianum, Augustiniana (Leuven), Adamantius, Millennium-Studien, Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, Bloomsbury Academic, Edinburgh University Press, De Gruyter - Brill
Contact Details
+44 29208 75499
John Percival Building, Room John Percival Building, Room 5.28, Colum Drive, Cardiff, CF10 3EU
Research themes
Specialisms
- History of religion
- late antiquity