difference between alexandrian and antiochene christology pdf
The difference between Alexandria and Antioch was not exegetical; it was theological. 215 AD) was committed to the idea that all truth, whether in pagan or biblical sources, found its fulfillment in the reality of Christ. In the following centuries, the church faced opposition on two fronts. [19] This supports Origens insistence that there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile. Para l, el Logos de Dios resucit a Lzaro de la muerte, mientras que el hombre Jess llor ante su tumba. Jesucristo era plenamente humano y plenamente divino. tuition and home schooling, secondary and senior secondary level, i.e. Hovorun, Serhiy. 0000007699 00000 n These traditions were distinguished, not so much by neatly distinct exegetical practices (as a previous generation of scholars had thought), as by differing conceptions of history, and by the respective influences of contemporary philosophical and rhetorical schools. You can download the paper by clicking the button above. Cyril of Alexandria was not only one of the finest Christian theologians of his day, he also stands out in the ranks of the greatest patristic writers of all generations as perhaps the most powerful exponent of Christology the church has known. Given the various theological controversies that existed in Origens day, it is no surprise that his commentary evinces a somewhat polemical character. Even the ceremonial laws have a spiritual sense, although it may be comparatively more obscure than for the moral laws. The goal of this paper will be to evaluate the life and work of one representative of the Alexandrian tradition, Origen of Alexandria. Cirilo se sumerge en el debate con invectivas fuertes, remitiendo un documento Para Nestorio, el nuevo Judas. El misterio de la Encarnacin segn Cirilo de Alejandra, From Philosophy to Pastoral: A Theological Review and the Pastoral Explications of the Doctrine of the Two Natures in Christ -Chalcedon and Luther, Cyril, Nestorius, and the Logos: A Re-Examination of Early Church Epistles, The Practical Christology of Philoxenos of Mabbug, E. Artemi, The Christological Controversy between Nestorius of Constantinople and Cyril of Alexandria, A Critical Assessment of St Cyril of Alexandrias On the Unity of Christ, and its Significance for Patristic and Modern Theology, Christological Controversies of the First Four Ecumenical Councils, Cyril of Alexandria and Gregory Nazianzen: Tradition and Complexity in Patristic Christology, The Early Christological Controversy: Apollinarius, Diodore, and Gregory Nazianzen. For example, his refutation of Gnostic ideas like the permanent, intrinsic goodness or wickedness of souls led him to infer the possibility of final salvation for all people, even perhaps the devil. The solution for Origen was to uphold the Mosaic Laws spiritual meaning, as elucidated through the work of Christ. This was the charge of the early church, and many modern scholars have followed suit. The goal of this paper will be to evaluate the life and work of one representative of the Alexandrian tradition, Origen of Alexandria. WebThe notion that there existed a distinction between so-called Alexandrian and Antiochene exegesis in the ancient church has become a common assumption among theologians. !CYf} qC%/f9 jhA4i4OMUA\:>v'E3 {yhPVQgllY+5p}`NW. Ever since its inception, the church has struggled to understand the proper place of Mosaic Law in Christian ethics. Thomas Scheck (Washington, D.C.: The Catholic University of America Press, 2002), 1-2. For instance, Wai-Shing Chau writes that Origen was operating on a Middle-platonic scheme, as is evident in his notions concerning the Father as the supreme mind, the existence of intermediaries between mind and the material world, and the pre-existence of the soul. El historiador contemporneo Scrates Scholasticus calific a Nestorio de hombre orgulloso e ignorante, cuyo innato e indiscutible poder de oratoria ocult una debilidad de pensamiento incisivo. Due to the papers original length, I will split it into two parts (Part 2 can be read here). This makes it an invaluable resource on early Christian understanding of Mosaic Law. WebANTIOCH, SCHOOL OF The common doctrinal tendencies, particularly in exegesis and Christology, that characterized the theological thinkers and writers who represented the Antiochian tradition. It was generally in contrast with and sometimes opposed to the theology of Alexandria. Finally, I will conclude by arguing that the Reformed traditions approach to Mosaic Law contains both Alexandrian and Antiochene elements. [6] Karlfried Froehlich, Biblical Interpretation in the Early Church (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1984), 15-16. In scriptural exegesis it placed more emphasis on the Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. WebCompatibility of Antiochene and Alexandrian Christology - Read online for free. (LogOut/ Alan J. Hauser and Duane F. Watson (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2003), 352. However, church historians have long since recognized that this distinction is neither wholly accurate nor helpful in exegetical studies. 0000009410 00000 n 0000002620 00000 n [7], Such was the heritage of Origens forbears. Thanks to Moses and the ceremonial laws, a certain part of humankind began to be liberated from the kingdom of sin and death, and cleansing of sins began to be ushered in.[26] Origen even goes so far as to say that the Mosaic Law is a life-giving Spirit for those who understand it spiritually.[27] He argues that it is precisely on this point that both Jews and Marcionites fall into error. Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses 78 (2002), 57-78. exams to Degree and Post graduation level. 0000008998 00000 n Note: this paper was previously written for a class on the History of Biblical Interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. ", Popular Controversies in World History: Investigating History's Intriguing Questions, Anglican Theological Review 94:3 (Summer), De Medio Aevo 2 (2012 / 2) ISSN-e 2255-5889. Where Presbyterian faith meets postmodern culture. the 10/12 Board 0000008102 00000 n WebFrom 3rd to 4th century, Tertullian and Origen give a more complete doctrine of Christology. Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. [2] Henning Graf Reventlow, History of Biblical Interpretation, trans. Jesus Christ was both fully human and fully divine. This sets up another important distinction in Origens conception of Mosaic Lawnamely, that between the ceremonial law and the moral law. Philo used this allegorical approach to Scripture to prove that Moses was superior to any pagan philosophers. WebFrom 3rd to 4th century, Tertullian and Origen give a more complete doctrine of Christology. But rather than undermining the doctrine of biblical inspiration, Origen saw these inconsistencies as divinely intended pointers to the deeper, spiritual meaning. As a result, the Alexandrians tended to see Mosaic Law in terms of continuity, and the Antiochenes tended to see it in terms of discontinuity. WebANTIOCH, SCHOOL OF The common doctrinal tendencies, particularly in exegesis and Christology, that characterized the theological thinkers and writers who represented the Antiochian tradition. Had a great experience here. In fact, Philo goes so far as to say that Greek philosophers must have appropriated their thought from Moses himself. 0000005673 00000 n This is why Origen can speak of Christian baptism as the spiritual equivalent of circumcision (Calvinists were not the first to make this connection!). En una carta a Cirilo, Nestorio sostiene que Cirilo tena razn al ensear que las dos naturalezas de Cristo se unieron en una sola persona, y que tambin acertaba al decir que la divinidad no puede sufrir en s misma, pero que cuando contina diciendo que la deidad participa en el sufrimiento, l echa a perder toda su buena obra. For Ariu s Christ was a creature, generated Origens Hermeneutic in Historical Context. Nestorio sostuvo que el trmino Theotokos no hizo justicia al hecho de que, en sentido Eirini ARTEMI, The rejection of the term Theotokos by Nestorius of Constantinople and the refutation of his teaching by Cyril of Alexandria De Medio Aevo 2 (2012 / 2) ISSN-e 2255-5889 126 estricto, Mara no fue la madre de Dios, sino la madre del hombre a quien la fe cristiana reconoce como divino, y por eso lo llama Dios. WebThe Antiochenes looked at Scripture for moral improvement; the Alexandrians sought theosis through contemplative reading. In spite of some of his more idiosyncratic conclusions, Origen developed an exegetical method that would have a profound impact on subsequent theologians. There is no record of a formal school such as apparently existed at alexandria, although lucian of antioch directed his didascalion and Diodore of Tarsus his But the relationship between these two senses is like that between an earthenware vessel and a treasure hidden inside. Then, by way of comparison, I will examine in briefer compass the work of one representative of the Antiochene tradition, Theodore of Mopsuestia. Therefore, Origen understands the contrast between law and gospel not as one of judgment versus mercy, but rather imperfect religion versus perfect religion. Towards the aim, Perfect E learn has already carved out a niche for itself in India and GCC countries as an online class provider at reasonable cost, serving hundreds of students. WebAlexandria as they had his teacher Origen, but Arius almost single-handedly ushered in an era in which the church was well-nigh intoxicated with Christology, though he did so from a Trinitarian perspective and did not waste much time on the articulation between Christs disparate natures. Nestorio fue entronizado como arzobispo el 10 de abril 428. The difference between Alexandria and Antioch was not exegetical; it was theological. M. F. Wiles and E. J. Yarnold (Peeters: Leuven, 2001), 306. Alexandria had it's own form of Christology, that defined the Human Nature in the Hypostatic Union to be a generic human nature, and this was in contrast (although not incompatible) with the Antiochene Christology that define's Christ's Human nature as a specific human being. On the one hand, Jewish interpreters insisted on the total and literal application of Mosaic Law, compelling Christians to defend the supremacy of the revelation of Christ. 0000005651 00000 n [11] Jews insisted on the total application of Mosaic Law, while Gnostics repudiated Mosaic Law altogether, but both camps were guilty of carnal exegesis. Grace is the essence of Sinai, but it is veiled until Calvary. 0000002908 00000 n For Origen, fixation on the literal sense is precisely what led both Jews and Gnostics astray. program which is essential for my career growth. For Ariu s Christ was a creature, generated [13] Origen, Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, Books 1-5, trans. Nestorius was enthroned as archbishop on April 10th 428. As a result, the Alexandrians tended to see Mosaic Law in terms of continuity, and the Antiochenes tended to see it in terms of discontinuity. One important distinction is that between Mosaic Law and natural law. James O. Duke (Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2009), 1:174-78. That is, the impossibility to keep the letter of the law is not due to human sin, as later Protestant interpreters would argue. Our online courses offer unprecedented opportunities for people who would otherwise have limited access to education. This distinction corresponds in some degree to his distinction between letter and spirit, and it is only the ceremonial law as letter that Origen rejects. In their Christology they stressed the divinity of Christ. Against this backdrop, it would be tempting to claim that Origen himself must have imbibed too much of Platonic thought. First, it is a mistake to simply say that for Origen, ceremonial laws are literal, and moral laws are spiritual. WebThe notion that there existed a distinction between so-called Alexandrian and Antiochene exegesis in the ancient church has become a common assumption among theologians. [23] But the reason for this is historical rather than anthropological. 0000000940 00000 n WebANTIOCHENE THEOLOGY The dominant theology of the early Church in Antioch. [4] Elizabeth Lauro, Reconsidering Origens Two Higher Senses of Scriptural Meaning: Identifying the Psychic and Pneumatic Senses, in Studia Patristica 34, ed. Resumen: Cirilo de Alejandra no slo fue uno de los mejores telogos cristianos de su poca, sino que tambin se destaca en las filas de los ms grandes escritores patrsticos de todas las generaciones, como quiz el ms poderoso exponente de la cristologa que la Iglesia haya conocido. [1] Donald Fairbairn, Patristic Exegesis and Theology: The Cart and the Horse, Westminster Theological Journal 69 (2007), 10-11; Brevard Childs, The Struggle to Understand Isaiah as Christian Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2004), 132-33; Frances Young, Alexandrian and Antiochene Exegesis, in History of Biblical Interpretation, ed. Further, Origens treatment of the literal sense of a given passage sometimes led him to reject its historicity. Theodore of Mopsuestia prefers to speak of the perfect union of Christs natures rather than synthesis. 0000007081 00000 n Alexandria and Antioch had developed very different views on the matter: The Alexandrian school leaned towards Christs humanity and divinity being absorbed into each other while Antioch leaned towards maintaining the human and divine in Christ as two separate beings. In particular, I will focus on his Commentary on Romans and show how his hermeneutical distinction between letter and spirit favors the continuity of Mosaic Law in Christian ethics. Rather than being a prison house, our bodies give us the opportunity to exercise virtue and grow into the likeness of God. [24] Without a temple, there no longer existed the possibility of a priesthood or a sacrificial system. 0000008977 00000 n These and works of a similar nature are the works by which he says no one can be saved[21], Three observations ought to be noted here. Make note of their respective leaders and methodologies, The Christology of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Conditioning Christology in the Early Church, Church History Lesson 17 -Christological Controversies to Chalcedon (451, The Result of the Christological Debate in the Council of Chalcedon, Christological Heresies Related to the Person and Natures of Jesus -Hammons.docx, Appealing to Creed: Theodore of Mopsuestia and Cyril of Alexandria, LOGOS-SARX CHRISTOLOGY AND THE SIXTH-CENTURY MIAENERGISM, The Mystery of the Incarnation: Towards a Reconciliation of Cyril and Nestorius, Divine Suffering & the Christological Vocabularies of St Cyril. Christ had two natures. The Letter and the Spirit: A History of Interpretation from Origen to Luther (New York: Peter Lang, 1995), 16. Antiochene side. For himself, he says, he has chosen to be on the. [3] According to Elizabeth Lauro, the somatic sense can be understood as literal, whereas the psychic and pneumatic senses are non-literal. THE TRIAL OF EUTYCHES: A NEW INTERPRETATION, Catholicity and Heresy in the Early Church - Mark J. Edwards, Compare and contrast the theological schools of Alexandria and Antioch. This article questions the value of the categories the school of Antioch and Antiochene christology on the basis of the significant theological differences between the two central figures in the school: John Chrysostom and Theodore of Mopsuestia, both of whom studied together at the school of Diodore of Tarsus in the late fourth century. WebAlexandria as they had his teacher Origen, but Arius almost single-handedly ushered in an era in which the church was well-nigh intoxicated with Christology, though he did so from a Trinitarian perspective and did not waste much time on the articulation between Christs disparate natures. 0000008123 00000 n Such blending of Greek and Jewish categories is also seen in his handling of Mosaic Law. WebThe theology of the Alexandrian school was influenced by the Platonic traditions of Philosophy. Part 1can be readhere. develop their business skills and accelerate their career program. 0000009389 00000 n trailer << /Size 68 /Info 40 0 R /Root 43 0 R /Prev 25978 /ID[<3b600cd983abb0cf4f9f19502a618cce><3b600cd983abb0cf4f9f19502a618cce>] >> startxref 0 %%EOF 43 0 obj << /Pages 41 0 R /Type /Catalog /Outlines 14 0 R >> endobj 66 0 obj << /S 85 /T 149 /O 195 /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 67 0 R >> stream Nestorius was enthroned as archbishop on April 10th 428. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. WebANTIOCHENE THEOLOGY The dominant theology of the early Church in Antioch. WebAlexandrian and Antiochian approaches to hermeneutics as deployed by John Chrysostom and Gregory of Nyssa as they work with the Beatitudes Typically, the view of Alexandrian and Antiochian hermeneutics has been one of dichotomy: Alexandrians were allegorical, and Antiochians were literal-historical. There is no record of a formal school such as apparently existed at alexandria, although lucian of antioch directed his didascalion and Diodore of Tarsus his [13] It is also Christianitys oldest surviving commentary on Romans, predating by about 150 years the second oldest commentary, written by John Chrysostom. Digital Forensics. 845 (2012) 153-177. [18] Cf. 0000007102 00000 n i.e, word became flesh. This method is set forth most explicitly in his work De Principiis (On First Principles), and is also evident in his numerous commentaries. I will show how the distinction between law and gospel in his Commentary on Galatians favors the discontinuity of Mosaic Law. Theological Controversy in the Seventh Century Concerning Activities and Wills in Christ. Supervised by Andrew Louth, (University of Durham, 2004). Una de sus frases favoritas es: El Logos sufri impasiblemente. [9] Mark Edwards, Origen against Plato (Hampshire, England: Ashgate, 2002), 160-1. [6] But such truth was often expressed in the form of enigmas, symbols, and allegories. This desire to avoid both the Scylla of Judaism and the Charybdis of Gnosticism (or better, Marcionism) set the stage for a multiplicity of Christian approaches to Mosaic Law. Cyril plunges into the debate with sharp invective, addressing one document To Nestorius, the new Judas. WebThe Alexandrian and Antiochian Christological Thoughts1 Many scholars attribute the problem of the Christological formula concerning the nature of Christ "Mia-physis and Dyophyses" to the controversy between the Alexandrian and the Antiochian theology. [5] His anthropology followed the Greek notion of the inferiority of the physical to the rational, but he still affirmed the Jewish notion of God as Creator. Cristo tena dos naturalezas. [], [] Alexandrians vs. Antiochenes on Mosaic Law (Part 1) []. MBA is a two year master degree program for students who want to gain the confidence to lead boldly and challenge conventional thinking in the global marketplace. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. This makes Origen unique among early Christian interpreters in ascribing such a pedagogical significance to the fall of Jerusalem. The letter brings death when it is separated from the spirit, and when it is turned into an end in itself rather than a means to the end of spiritual obedience. These are the somatic, the psychic, and the pneumatic senses. graduation. [8] On the other hand, Mark Edwards has recently argued in his book Origen against Plato that Origen denies many of the fundamental tenets of Platonism. Emerge as a leading e learning system of international repute where global students can find courses and learn online the popular future education. Philo affirmed its authority, but unlike the rabbis of his day, he believed that this authority was found in the realm of ideas which transcended the wording of the text itself. Quite the contrary, Origen believes that the letter of the Mosaic Law brought the beginnings of life to humanity. Cyril insists that while of itself human nature is not powerful but passible, in its union with the godhead, as in the dynamic act of Incarnation, the human nature of the Logos thereby becomes an instrument of omnipotent power and thus, in a real thought paradoxical sense, an omnipotent instrument. 85-160), whose name has become synonymous with an excessively lowview of the Old Testament. Perfect E Learn is committed to impart quality education through online mode of learning the future of education across the globe in an international perspective. John Anthony McGuckin (Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004), 139. However, it is not the final step. Such a categorization would overlook the dual aspect of every text of Scripture. [2] Even during his own lifetime, he would prove to be a controversial figure. Externally, the schools are not as distinct as they have been made out to be: the Alexandrians do not allegorize away the OT as much as has been thought, and the Antiochenes are not necessarily more literal in their methods than the Alexandrians. Rather, the destruction of the Jewish temple in AD 70 nullified literal observance of the law. One of his favorite phrases is: The Logos suffered impassibly. have discontinued my MBA as I got a sudden job opportunity after Thus, like his predecessors Philo and Clement, Origen believed that the essence of Mosaic Law is also found in natural law. Origen identifies the content of natural law with what is known as the second table of the law, encompassing such prohibitions as murder, adultery, and false testimony. [4] The difference between the two non-literal senses is that the psychic concerns day-to-day ethical living, while the pneumatic concerns higher theological and christological truths. "The Council of Chalcedon 451: In Search of a Balanced and Nuanced Christology," in Seven Icons of Christ: Introduction to the Oecumenical Councils. This was seen in Clements belief in the eternity of matter and thought, and in cosmic cycles predating the creation of the world. Alexandria and Antioch had developed very different views on the matter: The Alexandrian school leaned towards Christs humanity and divinity being absorbed into each other while Antioch leaned towards maintaining the human and divine in Christ as two separate beings. One of Origens fullest treatments of the Mosaic Law is found in his Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. Para Nestorio, el lenguaje del intercambio de propiedades era en general sospechoso, y con frecuencia odioso. 0000001237 00000 n But the nature and extent of this discontinuity would continue to be debated. %PDF-1.3 % Cirilo insiste en que Mara, la madre de Dios, debe ser llamada Theotokos. Then, there were many different viewpoints of the doctrine proposed by Alexandrian School (ex: Arius, Athansius, and Apollinarius) and Antiochene School (ex: [20] In this respect, one sees a clear overlap with the content of Mosaic Law, and especially the Ten Commandments. While the Alexandrian school adopted the "hypostasis union" or the "nature union" of the In response to these teachings of Marcion, Origen defended the positive value and continuing relevance of Mosaic Law for Christians. WebThe theology of the Alexandrian school was influenced by the Platonic traditions of Philosophy. Developing a conducive digital environment where students can pursue their 10/12 level, degree and post graduate programs from the comfort of their homes even if they are attending a regular course at college/school or working. [25] Thomas Scheck, Law, in The Westminster Handbook to Origen, ed.
