Deification in the Medieval Copto-Arabic Writing of ibn Sabbā‘

Abstract

In Egypt, during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, Christian theological writing in Arabic began to reach new heights. Within this period, there is an especially enigmatic figure present—Yoūḥannā (John) ibn Abī Zakariyā, who was known as ibn Sabbā‘. His work titled al-Jawhara al-nafisa fi ‘ulum al-kanisa (The Precious Jewel in the Ecclesiastical Sciences), is an important work for understanding Copto-Arabic thought within this time period. This paper explores this work to uncover deification motifs and their relationship to earlier patristic thought. Although, ibn Sabbā‘ does not use the explicit vocabulary of deification, the concept is vividly present in his Christology and anthropology. He presents the deification of Christ’s humanity through descriptive imagery and then extends this deified humanity to all believers. He also has a role for grace and human virtue, working together in a model of ethical deification.