Thanks for posting this. I read John of Damascus many years ago, and was very impressed. In fact I wrote a paper about this work, which if I could sift through my old files I could maybe find. John’s importance is difficult to overestimate.
It’s really amazing how little things change despite the gap of centuries. St. John of Damascus lived within 40-50 yrs of mohammed and debated the same point we make today. “donkey and ass” came up a lot then...funny it’s the very animal the Dhimmies adopted as their mascot. :)
Belteshazzar, if you find your thesis or any further documentation I’d love to read it. Thanks in advance.