'Sing psalms with understanding': Some reflections on Evagrius' use of Christos in the Scholia ad psalmos (original) (raw)
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Reconstructing the Theology of Evagrius Ponticus
2013
and, 1 and 2 Peter, then they ask how these later NT documents interpreted and appropriated those Jesus traditions, and finally they conclude by offering suggestions about the social and historical contexts in which the Jesus traditions were reused. This volume sometimes casts a broad net, even dealing with the Shepherd of Hermas and 1 Enoch at length, but the analyses are fresh and original; the conclusions, though certainly not beyond dispute, are cogent and worthy of scholarly consideration. This volume is highly recommended for scholars with interests in reception criticism, in the history of interpretation or in these particular NT books. The comprehensive index adds to the usefulness of the volume.
Reconstructing the Theology of Evagrius Ponticus: Beyond Heresy
2013
Evagrius Ponticus is regarded by many scholars as the architect of the eastern heresy Origenism, as his theology corresponded to the debates that erupted in 399 ad and episodically thereafter, culminating in the Second Council of Constantinople in 553. However, some scholars now question this conventional interpretation of Evagrius’ place in the Origenist controversies. Augustine Casiday sets out to reconstruct Evagrius’ theology in its own terms, freeing interpretation of his work from the reputation for heresy that overwhelmed it, and studying his life, writings and evolving legacy in detail. The first part of this book discusses the transmission of Evagrius’ writings and provides a framework of his life for understanding his writing and theology, whilst Part II moves to a synthetic study of major themes that emerge from his writings. This book will be an invaluable addition to scholarship on Christian theology, patristics, heresy and ancient philosophy.
David Brakke opened his review of Robert E. Sinkewicz"s important monograph Evagrius of Pontus: The Greek Ascetic Corpus with an incontrovertible sentence: "One of the great achievements of twentieth-century scholarship in patristics and monasticism was the recovery (still in progress) of the works of Evagrius Ponticus (ca. 345-399), arguably late antiquity"s greatest theorist of the monastic life" 2. The fragments of Evagrius" life that are known are preserved in the thirty-eighth chapter of Palladius" Lausiac History. He was born in the modest city of Pontus, Asia Minor and later made his way to the great religious centers of Constantinople and Jerusalem, after which he spent the remaining sixteen years of his life as a monk in the Egyptian desert, initially at Nitria and ultimately at Kellia 3. Evagrius" writings, which are numerous, largely focus on the psychology of temptation and pure prayer, both themes of which became the bedrock for all subsequent Christian monastic thought 4. Due to his theological ties with Origen 5 , the Second Council of Constantinople in 553 condemned "certain of Evagrius" doctrinal statements on 1) The background for this essay was a course that Valentina Duca taught while I studied for the MSt in Syriac Studies at the University of Oxford. Bogdan Draghici and Jijimon Puthuveettilkalam, SJ also participated in this course. I would like to thank Valentina Duca for offering critical feedback at an earlier stage of this essay. 2) David BRAKKE, Review of Evagrius of Pontus: The Greek Ascetic Corpus, trans.
Towards a theology of the Psalm titles: The Davidic voice and the totus Christus
Scottish Journal of Theology, 2023
This article explores the ways in which the thirteen 'biographical superscriptions' which are found throughout the Psalter contribute to the blending of the Davidic voice which they invoke and the corporate voice of the community which receives them. It suggests that by receiving these thirteen Psalms, the canonical community enters an intensive identification with David and participates in the Davidic life and experience. Once this is established, the discussion turns to examine these insights in a Christian theological context in conversation with Augustine's totus Christus principle. It is suggested that the hermeneutical situation created by the biographical superscriptions provides a way for the totus Christus principle to be re-invoked in contemporary interpretation.
Independent , 2023
This article explores the Christological controversy between Cyril of Alexandria and Nestorius of Constantinople in the fifth century and its impact on the Byzantine Empire. It highlights the political and religious tensions surrounding the doctrinal disagreement over the nature of the incarnation. The article acknowledges the challenges of studying this controversy from a Western perspective and aims to examine it from an Eastern viewpoint, specifically focusing on Nestorius' Christological thought. The goal is to gain a more accurate understanding of Nestorius' theology within the context of traditional orthodoxy. The article also delves into the historical background of Nestorius, his ecclesiastical reforms, and the events that led to his excommunication. Furthermore, it discusses the divergent views of Cyril and Nestorius regarding the hypostasis and prosopon, shedding light on their different interpretations and the resulting conflict. The article provides a comparison of the arguments made by Cyril and Nestorius and concludes with the significance of the controversy in shaping Christological theology.