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Peer-reviewed articles by Conor McDonough
Irish Theological Quarterly, 2011
This article investigates the interplay of cataphatic and apophatic theology in the works of Deny... more This article investigates the interplay of cataphatic and apophatic theology in the works of Denys (Pseudo-Dionysius) and Aquinas. In each case, the reasons given for the possibility of speech about God, and the denial of this possibility, are investigated. This classical theological understanding of 'speech' and 'silence' is set against two contemporary presentations of apophaticism as found in the writings of Jacques Derrida and Anthony Kenny.
Irish Theological Quarterly, 2011
This article investigates the interplay of cataphatic and apophatic theology in the works of Deny... more This article investigates the interplay of cataphatic and apophatic theology in the works of Denys (Pseudo-Dionysius) and Aquinas. In each case, the reasons given for the possibility of speech about God, and the denial of this possibility, are investigated. This classical theological understanding of ‘speech’ and ‘silence’ is set against two contemporary presentations of apophaticism as found in the writings
Essays, theses etc by Conor McDonough
Terence is often celebrated for his humanitas. 1 While Plautus is described as 'giving his audien... more Terence is often celebrated for his humanitas. 1 While Plautus is described as 'giving his audience what was good enough for them', Terence is presented as a sympathetic observer of human nature, whose 'feeling for human dignity' shines through the dramatic conventions which bound him. 2 In particular, he is thought of as illustrating, in his plays, the necessity of interdependence. Norwood, for example, seems to consider him a Christian avant la lettre, giving dramatic form to St Paul's doctrine that 'We are members one of another' (Eph 4:25).
'Is Christ Head of the Church as Man?' This Licentiate Thesis addresses this apparently obscure q... more 'Is Christ Head of the Church as Man?' This Licentiate Thesis addresses this apparently obscure question, a commonplace of high scholastic tracts 'De gratia capitis', first tracing its genesis in Augustine's commentaries, later biblical commentaries, and the twelfth-century schools, then considering its treatment by early-thirteenth-century scholastics, before turning to Aquinas' own treatment of the problem. Attention is paid to the development in Thomas' thought on this topic, a development which moves clearly and decisively away from what had been the majority opinion of his peers.
This Master's thesis, written under the supervision of Prof Gilles Emery OP at the University of ... more This Master's thesis, written under the supervision of Prof Gilles Emery OP at the University of Fribourg in 2016/17, compares the treatment of the Pauline theme of Christ's headship of the Church in the systematic and exegetical works of John Calvin and Thomas Aquinas. It lays out a broad range of surprising parallels and shared concerns, as well as highlighting some sharp discontinuities, especially in relation to soteriology.
Mark 4:26-29 (RSV) 26 And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon th... more Mark 4:26-29 (RSV) 26 And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground, 27 and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he knows not how. 28 The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." Mark 4:26-29 (Nestle-Aland) 26 Καὶ ἔλεγεν· Οὕτως ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ ὡς ἄνθρωπος βάλῃ τὸν σπόρον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς 27 καὶ καθεύδῃ καὶ ἐγείρηται νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν, καὶ ὁ σπόρος βλαστᾷ καὶ μηκύνηται ὡς οὐκ οἶδεν αὐτός. 28 αὐτομάτη ἡ γῆ καρποφορεῖ, πρῶτον χόρτον, εἶτα στάχυν, εἶτα πλήρης σῖτον ἐν τῷ στάχυϊ. 29 ὅταν δὲ παραδοῖ ὁ καρπός, εὐθὺς ἀποστέλλει τὸ δρέπανον, ὅτι παρέστηκεν ὁ θερισμός. The text under consideration in this short essay is part of a series of parables delivered by Jesus. 1 The parables are linked, both in content and form, by the theme of the manifestation of what is hidden. 2 Our parable,
The N-Town Plays form a deeply complex patchwork composition, and each of its plays considered al... more The N-Town Plays form a deeply complex patchwork composition, and each of its plays considered alone is itself heir to an intractable tangle of traditions. Rather than attempting here a synoptic account of the N-Town Plays, or even seeking to sift through and account for all the textual traditions inhabiting a single play, I will instead attempt the more modest task of reading a single N-Town vignettethe Presentation of Mary in the Temple 1in the light of three similar medieval texts. These texts share content, but are written in different languages, at different times, in different places, according to different generic rules, and with different readers/audiences in mind. I will not, of course, attempt a genealogy of influences, but merely consider how a simple apocryphal story receives, in our chosen texts, a variety of literary treatments.
Teaching Documents by Conor McDonough
A selection of texts used in the teaching of a weekend course in Christology for participants in ... more A selection of texts used in the teaching of a weekend course in Christology for participants in Parcours Sophia, a part-time theology course for laypeople run by the Community of St John in Rimont, France. Formatting of the document was carried out by the Brothers of St John.
Book chapters by Conor McDonough
Book reviews by Conor McDonough
Irish Theological Quarterly
Papers by Conor McDonough
Irish Theological Quarterly, 2022
in imitating divine perfections. Without outright dismissing the notion of created natures partic... more in imitating divine perfections. Without outright dismissing the notion of created natures participating in divine exemplars, he presents evolving participation in divine perfections as a more primordial account. This foundational explanation turns upon a progressive, creative (filial) imitation of a family of divine perfections rather than participation in one or more essential ideas. Davison’s approach allows him to soften the sometimes-hard distinction between the essence and act. In effect, he reminds readers that potency and act are relative terms, where the potency of essence is itself limitation in act (p. 103 ff). The overall result is a passable bridge from classical cosmology to a contemporary notion of cosmogenesis built on a solid but critical retrieval of Platonic categories. Davison’s surprising but consistent finale draws again on the leitmotif of participation to interweave virtue ethics and the natural law tradition. By identifying the warp and weft of the true, goo...
Bibliothèque de l'Ecole des Hautes Etudes, Sciences Religieuses, 2021
Irish Theological Quarterly, 2020
Irish Theological Quarterly, 2011
This article investigates the interplay of cataphatic and apophatic theology in the works of Deny... more This article investigates the interplay of cataphatic and apophatic theology in the works of Denys (Pseudo-Dionysius) and Aquinas. In each case, the reasons given for the possibility of speech about God, and the denial of this possibility, are investigated. This classical theological understanding of 'speech' and 'silence' is set against two contemporary presentations of apophaticism as found in the writings of Jacques Derrida and Anthony Kenny.
Irish Theological Quarterly, 2011
This article investigates the interplay of cataphatic and apophatic theology in the works of Deny... more This article investigates the interplay of cataphatic and apophatic theology in the works of Denys (Pseudo-Dionysius) and Aquinas. In each case, the reasons given for the possibility of speech about God, and the denial of this possibility, are investigated. This classical theological understanding of ‘speech’ and ‘silence’ is set against two contemporary presentations of apophaticism as found in the writings
Terence is often celebrated for his humanitas. 1 While Plautus is described as 'giving his audien... more Terence is often celebrated for his humanitas. 1 While Plautus is described as 'giving his audience what was good enough for them', Terence is presented as a sympathetic observer of human nature, whose 'feeling for human dignity' shines through the dramatic conventions which bound him. 2 In particular, he is thought of as illustrating, in his plays, the necessity of interdependence. Norwood, for example, seems to consider him a Christian avant la lettre, giving dramatic form to St Paul's doctrine that 'We are members one of another' (Eph 4:25).
'Is Christ Head of the Church as Man?' This Licentiate Thesis addresses this apparently obscure q... more 'Is Christ Head of the Church as Man?' This Licentiate Thesis addresses this apparently obscure question, a commonplace of high scholastic tracts 'De gratia capitis', first tracing its genesis in Augustine's commentaries, later biblical commentaries, and the twelfth-century schools, then considering its treatment by early-thirteenth-century scholastics, before turning to Aquinas' own treatment of the problem. Attention is paid to the development in Thomas' thought on this topic, a development which moves clearly and decisively away from what had been the majority opinion of his peers.
This Master's thesis, written under the supervision of Prof Gilles Emery OP at the University of ... more This Master's thesis, written under the supervision of Prof Gilles Emery OP at the University of Fribourg in 2016/17, compares the treatment of the Pauline theme of Christ's headship of the Church in the systematic and exegetical works of John Calvin and Thomas Aquinas. It lays out a broad range of surprising parallels and shared concerns, as well as highlighting some sharp discontinuities, especially in relation to soteriology.
Mark 4:26-29 (RSV) 26 And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon th... more Mark 4:26-29 (RSV) 26 And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground, 27 and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he knows not how. 28 The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." Mark 4:26-29 (Nestle-Aland) 26 Καὶ ἔλεγεν· Οὕτως ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ ὡς ἄνθρωπος βάλῃ τὸν σπόρον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς 27 καὶ καθεύδῃ καὶ ἐγείρηται νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν, καὶ ὁ σπόρος βλαστᾷ καὶ μηκύνηται ὡς οὐκ οἶδεν αὐτός. 28 αὐτομάτη ἡ γῆ καρποφορεῖ, πρῶτον χόρτον, εἶτα στάχυν, εἶτα πλήρης σῖτον ἐν τῷ στάχυϊ. 29 ὅταν δὲ παραδοῖ ὁ καρπός, εὐθὺς ἀποστέλλει τὸ δρέπανον, ὅτι παρέστηκεν ὁ θερισμός. The text under consideration in this short essay is part of a series of parables delivered by Jesus. 1 The parables are linked, both in content and form, by the theme of the manifestation of what is hidden. 2 Our parable,
The N-Town Plays form a deeply complex patchwork composition, and each of its plays considered al... more The N-Town Plays form a deeply complex patchwork composition, and each of its plays considered alone is itself heir to an intractable tangle of traditions. Rather than attempting here a synoptic account of the N-Town Plays, or even seeking to sift through and account for all the textual traditions inhabiting a single play, I will instead attempt the more modest task of reading a single N-Town vignettethe Presentation of Mary in the Temple 1in the light of three similar medieval texts. These texts share content, but are written in different languages, at different times, in different places, according to different generic rules, and with different readers/audiences in mind. I will not, of course, attempt a genealogy of influences, but merely consider how a simple apocryphal story receives, in our chosen texts, a variety of literary treatments.
A selection of texts used in the teaching of a weekend course in Christology for participants in ... more A selection of texts used in the teaching of a weekend course in Christology for participants in Parcours Sophia, a part-time theology course for laypeople run by the Community of St John in Rimont, France. Formatting of the document was carried out by the Brothers of St John.
Irish Theological Quarterly
Irish Theological Quarterly, 2022
in imitating divine perfections. Without outright dismissing the notion of created natures partic... more in imitating divine perfections. Without outright dismissing the notion of created natures participating in divine exemplars, he presents evolving participation in divine perfections as a more primordial account. This foundational explanation turns upon a progressive, creative (filial) imitation of a family of divine perfections rather than participation in one or more essential ideas. Davison’s approach allows him to soften the sometimes-hard distinction between the essence and act. In effect, he reminds readers that potency and act are relative terms, where the potency of essence is itself limitation in act (p. 103 ff). The overall result is a passable bridge from classical cosmology to a contemporary notion of cosmogenesis built on a solid but critical retrieval of Platonic categories. Davison’s surprising but consistent finale draws again on the leitmotif of participation to interweave virtue ethics and the natural law tradition. By identifying the warp and weft of the true, goo...
Bibliothèque de l'Ecole des Hautes Etudes, Sciences Religieuses, 2021
Irish Theological Quarterly, 2020