Kitab al-Burhan
Kitab al-Burhan names two works in Coptic literature: a fifty-two-chapter compendium by Abu Shakir ibn al-Rahib and a defense of Christianity by Butrus Sawirus al-Jamil.[^1][^2]
Also known as: Kitab al-Burhan fi al-Qawanin · Book of Evidence in Laws · Book of Proof
Works bearing the title
The title Kitab al-Burhan is associated with two distinct works: Abu Shakir ibn al-Rahib’s compendium on theology and Coptic traditions, and Butrus Sawirus al-Jamil’s defense of Christianity, whose title is translated as “Book of Proof.”12
Abu Shakir ibn al-Rahib’s compendium
Abu Shakir’s work bears the fuller title Kitab al-Burhan fi al-Qawanin, translated as “The Book of Evidence in Laws.” It is described as a legal compendium in fifty-two chapters containing a statement of Christian doctrines and traditions.3 Another account emphasizes its theological subjects and Coptic traditions, likewise giving its length as fifty-two chapters.1
There is a contemporary copy dated A.M. 987/A.D. 1270 in the Patriarchal Library, together with later copies in the British Museum, the Vatican, and elsewhere.4
Butrus Sawirus al-Jamil’s apology
Butrus Sawirus al-Jamil, identified as a thirteenth-century bishop of Malij, also wrote a Kitab al-Burhan. His work is an apology for Christianity addressing the doctrine of Christ, particularly the argument that Christ’s divinity cannot participate in the sufferings of his human nature.2
It also discusses the replacement of Mosaic law by what the work presents as the more perfect law of the Gospels. Its treatment includes extensive interpretation of Scripture and draws, sometimes verbatim, on the anthologies al-Durr al-Thamin (“Precious Pearl”) by Sawirus and I‘tiraf al-Aba’.5
References
Sources
- 1.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 5 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 282)
His literary heritage included the following works: (1) Kitab al-Burhan, on theological subjects and Coptic traditions in fifty-two chapters; ... Next in succession to Abu Shakir ibn al-Rahib, we have an equally distinguished name in Copto-Arabic literature, al-As‘ad Abu al-Barakat, better known as IBN KABAR.
- 2.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 2 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 297)
BUTRUS SAWIRUS AL-JAMIL, thirteenth-century bishop of Malij and first compiler of the Coptic SYNAXARION. ... Kitab al-Burhan (Book of Proof) is an apology for Christianity, treating the doctrine about Christ and proving in particular the impossibility of the divinity's participating in the sufferings of the human nature of Christ.
- 3.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 1 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 92)
Among his famous works is Kitab al-Burhan fi al-Qawanin (The Book of evidence in laws), a legal compendium in fifty-two chapters comprising a statement of Christian doctrines and traditions.
- 4.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 1 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 92)
A contemporary copy dated A.M. 987/A.D. 1270 exists in the Patriarchal Library. Other, later copies are available in the British Museum, the Vatican, and elsewhere.
- 5.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 2 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 297)
It also deals with the question of the replacement of the Mosaic law by the more perfect law of the Gospels. The Holy Scriptures, partly with sources, are interpreted thoroughly. The work uses, sometimes literally, material from the two anthologies, al-DURR AL-THAMIN (Precious Pearl) by Sawirus and I‘tiraf al-Aba’.
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