Carole Straw | Mount Holyoke College (original) (raw)

Papers by Carole Straw

Research paper thumbnail of “A Very Special Death”: Christian Martyrdom in Its Classical Context

Research paper thumbnail of Gregory the Great: Perfection in Imperfection

The American Historical Review, Feb 1, 1990

... Peter Brown, General Editor I Art and Ceremony in Late Antiquity by Sabine G. MacCormack II S... more ... Peter Brown, General Editor I Art and Ceremony in Late Antiquity by Sabine G. MacCormack II Synesius ofCyrene: Philosopher-Bishop by Jay Bregman III ... While he is no longer believed to be of the gens Anicia or Decia, his family was of noble lineage and handsomely rich. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Brill’s Companions to the Christian Tradition

The Rhetoric of Cicero in its Medieval and Early Renaissance Commentary Tradition, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of Gregory the Great

Cambridge University Press eBooks, Jun 27, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Gregory and Tradition, Example of Compassion

GREGORIO MAGNO E LE ORIGINI DELL'EUROPA, 2014

Gregory's originality is often neglected because of use of Augustine and Ambrose. The example of ... more Gregory's originality is often neglected because of use of Augustine and Ambrose. The example of compassion traces the Roman (Cicero's) use of the Greek _sumpatheia- as a loan word for the sentiment. Critical is Paul use of _sumpaschein_ in 1 Cor 12:26, Rm 8:17, which is translated as conpatior to express the interconnection of members of the body with each other and their head in a biological or medical sense. Compassion continues to be rooted in this medical sense (Augustine uses _caritas_ not compassio for sympathy). While Paulinus is the first Latin father to make substantial use of compatior and compassio, he still thinks of it medically. Gregory is the first to consider compassion as a distinct moral sentiment, to define what it is and what it isn't. He conceptualizes or "invents" compassion in a way previous writers have not.

Research paper thumbnail of "Martyrdom"

St. Augustine through the Ages: An Encyclopedia, 1999

Martyrdom Augustine's definition of martyrdom might be termed corporate and mystical. A paradox o... more Martyrdom Augustine's definition of martyrdom might be termed corporate and mystical. A paradox of self-abnegation governs his thought: by dying, martyrs live; by losing their souls, they gain them; by denying themselves, they find themselves (Matt. 10:39; John 12:25; s. 331.1; 313C). "When you have nothing, you have everything," Augustine observes (s. 326.1). Augustine stresses that the grace of God• makes the martyr. God, who "gives the will, gives the ability" to suffer (s. 330.1). He gives the victory and crowns his own gifts (en. Ps. 102.3). Through unity with God the martyr's (often reluctant) will is strengthened to undergo the agon. God is said to "work within" the martyr (en. Ps. 59.13); Christ also "transform(s) his martyrs into himself" (epp. 140.10.27; 140.13.35; en. Ps. 67.1.3). Christ is caput and princeps of martyrs; they are his members (lo. ev. tr. 43.12; s. 316.2; 335G; 335H.1). Corporate unity is such that Christ dies again in the martyrs (en. Ps. 40.1); he suffers in their passion (c. Faust. 12.28) •and conquers in them (s. 329.2; 280.4). As Christ suffered, so the church suffers, for the servant is not above the master (en. Ps. 40.8). "'Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps,"' Augustine writes, quoting 1 Peter 2:21, and remarking: "this the martyrs did in their burning love" (Jo. ev. tr. 80.1; c£.105.4). As Christ was the mustard seed who died to bear fruit (Matt 13:31); so his members share his passion (en. Ps.

Research paper thumbnail of "Timor Mortis"

St. Augustine through the Ages: an Encyclopedia

We should fear death insofar as God will punish sinners and this leads us to repent of our sins a... more We should fear death insofar as God will punish sinners and this leads us to repent of our sins and reform our lives. On the other hand, Christ has conquered death, so Christian should not fear to die because, with God's grace, they will live in heaven for eternity.

Research paper thumbnail of "Benedict of Nursia"

A Guide to the Late Antique World, 1999

Research paper thumbnail of "Gregory the Great"

A Guide to the Late Antique World, 1999

Research paper thumbnail of "Introduction: Gregory and the Book of Job"

Introduction to _Gregoire le Grand, Moralia(XXVIII-XXIX), 2003

This is the Introduction to the Sources chretiennes edition of Gregory's Moralia (28-29).

Research paper thumbnail of "A Very Special Death: Christian Martyrdomi in its Classical Context"

Sacrificing the Self: Perspectives on Martyrdom, 2002

The how the heroic death martyrs supersedes of that of pagan heroes.

Research paper thumbnail of "Settling Scores: Eschatology in the Age of the Martyrs"

Last Things: Death and Apocalyptism in the Middle Ages, 1999

The is about avenging the abuse of Christians by pagans and heretics, punishing the persecutors, ... more The is about avenging the abuse of Christians by pagans and heretics, punishing the persecutors, as well as rewarding Christians for their suffering and patience.

Research paper thumbnail of "Gregory, Cassian and the Cardinal Vices"

In The Garden of Evil, 2005

Cassian's harmartology is from the bottom up, beginning with gluttony and as the origin of later ... more Cassian's harmartology is from the bottom up, beginning with gluttony and as the origin of later sins, and ending with pride as the final outcome of a lack of self-control. Gregory's is from the top down, beginning with Pride, which is hubris, disobedience, and autarchy. Luxuria is the final result of trying to be a law unto oneself, a complete lack of self-control.

Research paper thumbnail of "Peccato"

Enciclopedia Gregoriana, 2008

Various meanings of sin

Research paper thumbnail of "The Avenging Abbot: Gregory the Great's _Life of St. Benedict_"

The Middle Ages in Texts and Texture Reflections on Medieval Sources, 2011

Authority as omnipotent. omniscient, strict, etc. The devil, however, has a sense of humor.

Research paper thumbnail of "The Classical Heritage and a New Christian Synthesis"

Gregorio Magno Centenario della Morte, 2004

As early as Zenophanes, one fmds the origin of diatribes of the Cynics and Stoics that so popular... more As early as Zenophanes, one fmds the origin of diatribes of the Cynics and Stoics that so popularized the philosophic agon.ln Resp. 3, Plato uses athletic analogies when speaking of various virtues and in 3.13.404, refers to athletes of war. On the whole, however, Plato favored the conceit of philosophy as medicine to cure the soul of the disease of passion. Philosophy is training for death (Phaed. 64a, 67e, SOc) and this is therapy for the soul (Resp. 604b-d).ln apol. 28-b-d, Plato makes Socrates the heir of the heroic warrior. In preferring an honorable life over death, Socrates has conquered fear of death, just as Achilles had. Socrates' astonishing self-control earned honor and envy, not his military or athletic achievement. In Tusc. 3.6-7, Cicero follows Plato in seeing philosophy as a cure for the distress that disorders the soul-"aegritudo perturbatio est animi", which is rightly tenned a disease ("morbus"). The wise man is brave ("fortis"), unconquered ("inuictus") and great-souled ("esse magni animi"), because he uses reason ("ratio") rightly and is

Research paper thumbnail of "Much Ado about Nothing: Gregory the Great's Response to the Istrian Crisis"

The Crisis of the Oikoumene: The Three Chapters and the Failed Quest for Unity in the Sixth-Century Medierranean.s

Gregory upholds the Byzantine imperial position telling the Istrian clergy it was just a misunder... more Gregory upholds the Byzantine imperial position telling the Istrian clergy it was just a misunderstanding that should never had resulted in schism in the first place. It is Gregory as a rhetorician manipulating arguments for the sake of politics.

Research paper thumbnail of "Martyrdom"

International Journal of the Social Sciences, 2008

A precis of martyrdom found in several religious tradition: Jewish, Christian, Moslem, Buddaism.

Research paper thumbnail of Gregory's Moral Theology: Divine Providence and Human Responsibility"

A Companion to Gregory the Great, 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Gregory the Great

Encyclopedia of the Bible and its Reception, vol. 10, 2015

Gregory did not use the word, "Bible", but instead "sacra eloquia", "holy speech," sacred communi... more Gregory did not use the word, "Bible", but instead "sacra eloquia", "holy speech," sacred communication, that needs to be interpreted by the preacher or exegete. He thinks of groups of book: the law, the prophets, the Gospels. Paul's letters, etc.

Research paper thumbnail of “A Very Special Death”: Christian Martyrdom in Its Classical Context

Research paper thumbnail of Gregory the Great: Perfection in Imperfection

The American Historical Review, Feb 1, 1990

... Peter Brown, General Editor I Art and Ceremony in Late Antiquity by Sabine G. MacCormack II S... more ... Peter Brown, General Editor I Art and Ceremony in Late Antiquity by Sabine G. MacCormack II Synesius ofCyrene: Philosopher-Bishop by Jay Bregman III ... While he is no longer believed to be of the gens Anicia or Decia, his family was of noble lineage and handsomely rich. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Brill’s Companions to the Christian Tradition

The Rhetoric of Cicero in its Medieval and Early Renaissance Commentary Tradition, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of Gregory the Great

Cambridge University Press eBooks, Jun 27, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of Gregory and Tradition, Example of Compassion

GREGORIO MAGNO E LE ORIGINI DELL'EUROPA, 2014

Gregory's originality is often neglected because of use of Augustine and Ambrose. The example of ... more Gregory's originality is often neglected because of use of Augustine and Ambrose. The example of compassion traces the Roman (Cicero's) use of the Greek _sumpatheia- as a loan word for the sentiment. Critical is Paul use of _sumpaschein_ in 1 Cor 12:26, Rm 8:17, which is translated as conpatior to express the interconnection of members of the body with each other and their head in a biological or medical sense. Compassion continues to be rooted in this medical sense (Augustine uses _caritas_ not compassio for sympathy). While Paulinus is the first Latin father to make substantial use of compatior and compassio, he still thinks of it medically. Gregory is the first to consider compassion as a distinct moral sentiment, to define what it is and what it isn't. He conceptualizes or "invents" compassion in a way previous writers have not.

Research paper thumbnail of "Martyrdom"

St. Augustine through the Ages: An Encyclopedia, 1999

Martyrdom Augustine's definition of martyrdom might be termed corporate and mystical. A paradox o... more Martyrdom Augustine's definition of martyrdom might be termed corporate and mystical. A paradox of self-abnegation governs his thought: by dying, martyrs live; by losing their souls, they gain them; by denying themselves, they find themselves (Matt. 10:39; John 12:25; s. 331.1; 313C). "When you have nothing, you have everything," Augustine observes (s. 326.1). Augustine stresses that the grace of God• makes the martyr. God, who "gives the will, gives the ability" to suffer (s. 330.1). He gives the victory and crowns his own gifts (en. Ps. 102.3). Through unity with God the martyr's (often reluctant) will is strengthened to undergo the agon. God is said to "work within" the martyr (en. Ps. 59.13); Christ also "transform(s) his martyrs into himself" (epp. 140.10.27; 140.13.35; en. Ps. 67.1.3). Christ is caput and princeps of martyrs; they are his members (lo. ev. tr. 43.12; s. 316.2; 335G; 335H.1). Corporate unity is such that Christ dies again in the martyrs (en. Ps. 40.1); he suffers in their passion (c. Faust. 12.28) •and conquers in them (s. 329.2; 280.4). As Christ suffered, so the church suffers, for the servant is not above the master (en. Ps. 40.8). "'Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps,"' Augustine writes, quoting 1 Peter 2:21, and remarking: "this the martyrs did in their burning love" (Jo. ev. tr. 80.1; c£.105.4). As Christ was the mustard seed who died to bear fruit (Matt 13:31); so his members share his passion (en. Ps.

Research paper thumbnail of "Timor Mortis"

St. Augustine through the Ages: an Encyclopedia

We should fear death insofar as God will punish sinners and this leads us to repent of our sins a... more We should fear death insofar as God will punish sinners and this leads us to repent of our sins and reform our lives. On the other hand, Christ has conquered death, so Christian should not fear to die because, with God's grace, they will live in heaven for eternity.

Research paper thumbnail of "Benedict of Nursia"

A Guide to the Late Antique World, 1999

Research paper thumbnail of "Gregory the Great"

A Guide to the Late Antique World, 1999

Research paper thumbnail of "Introduction: Gregory and the Book of Job"

Introduction to _Gregoire le Grand, Moralia(XXVIII-XXIX), 2003

This is the Introduction to the Sources chretiennes edition of Gregory's Moralia (28-29).

Research paper thumbnail of "A Very Special Death: Christian Martyrdomi in its Classical Context"

Sacrificing the Self: Perspectives on Martyrdom, 2002

The how the heroic death martyrs supersedes of that of pagan heroes.

Research paper thumbnail of "Settling Scores: Eschatology in the Age of the Martyrs"

Last Things: Death and Apocalyptism in the Middle Ages, 1999

The is about avenging the abuse of Christians by pagans and heretics, punishing the persecutors, ... more The is about avenging the abuse of Christians by pagans and heretics, punishing the persecutors, as well as rewarding Christians for their suffering and patience.

Research paper thumbnail of "Gregory, Cassian and the Cardinal Vices"

In The Garden of Evil, 2005

Cassian's harmartology is from the bottom up, beginning with gluttony and as the origin of later ... more Cassian's harmartology is from the bottom up, beginning with gluttony and as the origin of later sins, and ending with pride as the final outcome of a lack of self-control. Gregory's is from the top down, beginning with Pride, which is hubris, disobedience, and autarchy. Luxuria is the final result of trying to be a law unto oneself, a complete lack of self-control.

Research paper thumbnail of "Peccato"

Enciclopedia Gregoriana, 2008

Various meanings of sin

Research paper thumbnail of "The Avenging Abbot: Gregory the Great's _Life of St. Benedict_"

The Middle Ages in Texts and Texture Reflections on Medieval Sources, 2011

Authority as omnipotent. omniscient, strict, etc. The devil, however, has a sense of humor.

Research paper thumbnail of "The Classical Heritage and a New Christian Synthesis"

Gregorio Magno Centenario della Morte, 2004

As early as Zenophanes, one fmds the origin of diatribes of the Cynics and Stoics that so popular... more As early as Zenophanes, one fmds the origin of diatribes of the Cynics and Stoics that so popularized the philosophic agon.ln Resp. 3, Plato uses athletic analogies when speaking of various virtues and in 3.13.404, refers to athletes of war. On the whole, however, Plato favored the conceit of philosophy as medicine to cure the soul of the disease of passion. Philosophy is training for death (Phaed. 64a, 67e, SOc) and this is therapy for the soul (Resp. 604b-d).ln apol. 28-b-d, Plato makes Socrates the heir of the heroic warrior. In preferring an honorable life over death, Socrates has conquered fear of death, just as Achilles had. Socrates' astonishing self-control earned honor and envy, not his military or athletic achievement. In Tusc. 3.6-7, Cicero follows Plato in seeing philosophy as a cure for the distress that disorders the soul-"aegritudo perturbatio est animi", which is rightly tenned a disease ("morbus"). The wise man is brave ("fortis"), unconquered ("inuictus") and great-souled ("esse magni animi"), because he uses reason ("ratio") rightly and is

Research paper thumbnail of "Much Ado about Nothing: Gregory the Great's Response to the Istrian Crisis"

The Crisis of the Oikoumene: The Three Chapters and the Failed Quest for Unity in the Sixth-Century Medierranean.s

Gregory upholds the Byzantine imperial position telling the Istrian clergy it was just a misunder... more Gregory upholds the Byzantine imperial position telling the Istrian clergy it was just a misunderstanding that should never had resulted in schism in the first place. It is Gregory as a rhetorician manipulating arguments for the sake of politics.

Research paper thumbnail of "Martyrdom"

International Journal of the Social Sciences, 2008

A precis of martyrdom found in several religious tradition: Jewish, Christian, Moslem, Buddaism.

Research paper thumbnail of Gregory's Moral Theology: Divine Providence and Human Responsibility"

A Companion to Gregory the Great, 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Gregory the Great

Encyclopedia of the Bible and its Reception, vol. 10, 2015

Gregory did not use the word, "Bible", but instead "sacra eloquia", "holy speech," sacred communi... more Gregory did not use the word, "Bible", but instead "sacra eloquia", "holy speech," sacred communication, that needs to be interpreted by the preacher or exegete. He thinks of groups of book: the law, the prophets, the Gospels. Paul's letters, etc.