Joseph Torchia has given us a careful and thought-provoking study of the development of the Christian doctrine of creation ex nihilo. Beginning with an examination of the doctrine of creation in Scripture, where a metaphysical dimension of creation from non-being is discernable only inchoately, Torchia traces the emergence of an explicitly metaphysical doctrine within the early Church. Through dialogue with and assimilation of the Greek philosophical traditions (viz. Plato and the Middle Platonists) patristic thinkers ultimately articulated the idea that God's role as Creator involves fundamentally an existential creation from non-being. Such a development paved the way for new and more sophisticated theological and metaphysical questions to be asked within the Christian Tradition. Fr. Torchia's study will be helpful and particularly illuminating for graduate students and anyone who is interested in questions regarding the development of doctrine, the relationship between Hellenistic philosophy and Christian thought, faith and reason in the Christian Tradition, and patristic metaphysics of creation (protology).llenistic philosophy and Christian thought, faith and reason in the Christian Tradition, and patristic metaphysics of creation (protology).

llenistic philosophy and Christian thought, faith and reason in the Christian Tradition, and patristic metaphysics of creation (protology).llenistic philosophy and Christian thought, faith and reason in the Christian Tradition, and patristic metaphysics of creation (protology).