I. Early Use of the Term

In Neoplatonism (Porphyry, Iamblichus, Proclus,Damascius, Magical papyri), the term ϑεοσοφία/theosophía (“wisdom concerning divine things”) denotes a knowledge of God combining elements of wisdom, mysticism, speculative metaphysics, and initiation into mysteries. For the church fathers, theosophy and theology were often used synonymous (adverbially in Clement of Alexandria, theosophy since Eus. Praep. I 5.12 a…