'Power' in Greek thought

[Don Bromley]

I'm doing a Ph.D. dissertation on the function of 'miracle' in the early church. I'm wondering if any of you have suggestions for good sources (in the first 2-3 centuries) that discuss these concepts: power (dunamis), sign (semeion), work (ergon), wonder (teras).

[Fr Raphael Vereshack]

I'm not sure if this is really what you are looking for. But there is a very good series of essays by St Ignatius Brianchaninov in a small pamphlet called On Miracles & Signs. This is published by the Orthodox Monastery of the Archangel Michael in Sydney, Australia.

In Christ- Fr Raphael

[Olga]

As far as I know, the Greek word "teras" means "monster" or beast, or something of very large size. I think you might mean "thauma" for wonder.

[Anthony]

I think "thauma" refers to miracles, whereas "teras" might be used for other signs and wonders like the moon turning to blood and stars falling from heaven. But this internet cafe doesn't seem to have a Greek New Testament concordance handy for me to check.http://www.monachos.net/mb/clipart/happy.gif

[Don Bromley]

'thauma' appears only twice in the NT (2 Cor 11:14 and Rev 17:6). it means 'wonder' more in terms of being impressed than referring to a 'miracle'. 'teras' is "someth. that astounds because of transcendent association, prodigy, portent, omen, wonder" It's generally found in the plural and translated 'wonders' in the NT.