difference between alexandrian and antiochene christology pdf

[18] Cf. [4] Elizabeth Lauro, Reconsidering Origens Two Higher Senses of Scriptural Meaning: Identifying the Psychic and Pneumatic Senses, in Studia Patristica 34, ed. [14] Riemer Roukema, Law of Nature, in The Westminster Handbook of Origen, ed. l encontr en las expresiones Madre de Dios y Dios sufriente poco ms que una devocin ignorante que haba cortado tantos ngulos en sus implicaciones, hasta el punto de haberse quedado muy cerca de las concepciones mticas paganas de la deidad. 0000001237 00000 n MIRABILIA 17, Home Eletronic Journal of Antiquity & Middle Ages Journal of the Institut d' Estudis Medievals (UAB), Journal of Early Christian Studies 17.3 (2009): 381-419, Vigiliae Christianae 65.4 (2011): 376-407. Then, there were many different viewpoints of the doctrine proposed by Alexandrian School (ex: Arius, Athansius, and Apollinarius) and Antiochene School (ex: Educational programs for all ages are offered through e learning, beginning from the online Grade 10 and 12 level courses are offered by NIOS, Indian National Education Board established in 1989 by the Ministry of Education (MHRD), India. First, it is a mistake to simply say that for Origen, ceremonial laws are literal, and moral laws are spiritual. 0000000940 00000 n 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. Further, Origens treatment of the literal sense of a given passage sometimes led him to reject its historicity. In these works, Origen describes a threefold distinction in the meanings of Scripture, which correspond to body, soul, and spirit. Our online courses offer unprecedented opportunities for people who would otherwise have limited access to education. 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. 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. Against this backdrop, it would be tempting to claim that Origen himself must have imbibed too much of Platonic thought. Cirilo insiste en que, si bien por s misma la propia naturaleza humana no es poderosa, sino pasible, en su unin con la divinidad, como en el dinmico acto de la Encarnacin, la naturaleza humana del Logos se convierte as en un instrumento del poder omnipotente, y, por tanto en un sentido real, aunque mentalmente paradjico, en un instrumento omnipotente. John Anthony McGuckin (Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004), 140-41. 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. Origens chief target was Marcion (ca. recommend Perfect E Learn for any busy professional looking to [20] In this respect, one sees a clear overlap with the content of Mosaic Law, and especially the Ten Commandments. My childs preference to complete Grade 12 from Perfect E Learn was almost similar to other children. In scriptural exegesis it placed more emphasis on the In large measure, Origen inherited this de-historicizing and allegorizing approach to Scripture from two earlier Alexandrians: Philo and Clement. 0000004287 00000 n [2] Henning Graf Reventlow, History of Biblical Interpretation, trans. Cirilo insiste en que Mara, la madre de Dios, debe ser llamada Theotokos. [24] Without a temple, there no longer existed the possibility of a priesthood or a sacrificial system. According to Marcion, the material world was created by an inferior deity known as a Demiurge, who revealed himself to the Hebrews and gave them a law of strict retributive justice. 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. 0000008102 00000 n 1 (2008), 95-110, The Lynching of Nestorius: Cyril, The Strongman of Alexandria, Created or uncreated: The influence of philosophy and cultural normatives on the development of opposing interpretations of Christ as Logos leading up to Nicaea, The Christology of Eutyches at the Council of Constantinople 448. Antiochene side. For Origen, fixation on the literal sense is precisely what led both Jews and Gnostics astray. test, which makes it an ideal choice for Indians residing [13] Origen, Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, Books 1-5, trans. 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. [11] Jews insisted on the total application of Mosaic Law, while Gnostics repudiated Mosaic Law altogether, but both camps were guilty of carnal exegesis. Where Presbyterian faith meets postmodern culture. One of Origens fullest treatments of the Mosaic Law is found in his Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. This sets up another important distinction in Origens conception of Mosaic Lawnamely, that between the ceremonial law and the moral law. Change). Although Philo was Jewish, his impact would prove to be far greater on later Christian interpreters, such as Clement. develop their business skills and accelerate their career program. 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. Then, there were many different viewpoints of the doctrine proposed by Alexandrian School (ex: Arius, Athansius, and Apollinarius) and Antiochene School (ex: The Letter and the Spirit: A History of Interpretation from Origen to Luther (New York: Peter Lang, 1995), 16. Nestorius was enthroned as archbishop on April 10th 428. 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. Cyrils Single Subjectivity and the Prosopic Union., Nestorius and Cyril: 5th Century Christological Division and Re, The Volition of Christ: A Contextual and Philosophical Christology Study, THE CHRISTIAN PARADIGM OF A UNITED EUROPE Theologie and Mystique in the Work of Saint Cyril of Alexandria, CHRISTOLOGICAL THOUGHT OF THE SYRIAC FATHERS. [25], Third, Origen does not argue that the letters proper function is to kill. 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. This led him to a rather syncretistic blend of Hellenistic cosmology and Logos christology, with the result that later interpreters would fault Clement for some of his Gnostic tendencies. WebThe Antiochenes looked at Scripture for moral improvement; the Alexandrians sought theosis through contemplative reading. [17] All of these laws, however, were in some sense an expression of Gods unchanging moral will. WebCyril 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. Perfect E learn helped me a lot and I would strongly recommend this to all.. Por otro lado, el trmino Anthropotokos reconoce que Mara es la madre de este hombre, pero dicho trmino puede en s mismo dar a entender que l no es ms que un hombre, lo cual de nuevo es ofensivo a la fe cristiana ortodoxa en la deidad de Cristo. (LogOut/ A term paper written on the prompt: "With reference to the dispute between Cyril and Nestorius evaluate the assessment that Antiochene and Alexandrian Christologies are ultimately incompatible." [9] These tenets include the participation of created objects in eternal, incorporeal Forms, the impossibility of predicating truth about God, and the transmigration of the soul. Therefore, Origen understands the contrast between law and gospel not as one of judgment versus mercy, but rather imperfect religion versus perfect religion. Jesus Christ was both fully human and fully divine. have discontinued my MBA as I got a sudden job opportunity after [7], Such was the heritage of Origens forbears. [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. WebANTIOCH, SCHOOL OF The common doctrinal tendencies, particularly in exegesis and Christology, that characterized the theological thinkers and writers who represented the Antiochian tradition. One important distinction is that between Mosaic Law and natural law. Part 1can be readhere. We follow a systematic approach to the process of learning, examining and certifying. 3:6). The Alexandrian Christology is usually referred to as Christology from above, orLogos SarxChristology. Thus, like his predecessors Philo and Clement, Origen believed that the essence of Mosaic Law is also found in natural law. WebThe theology of the Alexandrian school was influenced by the Platonic traditions of Philosophy. Cristo tena dos naturalezas. 0000002908 00000 n 185-254) was born in the Egyptian city of Alexandria to Christian parents. 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. A term paper written on the prompt: "With reference to the dispute between Cyril and Nestorius evaluate the assessment that Antiochene and Alexandrian Christologies are ultimately incompatible." Hb```5x(1a.@qgUn+870p005x@g2b)(| OL Nestorius was enthroned as archbishop on April 10th 428. This was seen in Clements belief in the eternity of matter and thought, and in cosmic cycles predating the creation of the world. On the other hand, the term Anthropotokos acknowledges that Mary is the mother of this man but can itself be taken to suggest that he is merely a man, which again is offensive to orthodox Christian faith in the deity of Christ. 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. Theological Controversy in the Seventh Century Concerning Activities and Wills in Christ. Supervised by Andrew Louth, (University of Durham, 2004). Philo, a wealthy first-century Jew, was well known for his efforts to integrate Greek philosophy and Jewish theology. Finally, I will conclude by arguing that the Reformed traditions approach to Mosaic Law contains both Alexandrian and Antiochene elements. One of his favorite phrases is: The Logos suffered impassibly. 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. [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. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. I strongly 0000008544 00000 n 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. 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. 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. WebAlexandrian and Antiochene theologians were expedient hermeneuts, meaning they utilized whichever exegetical practice (allegory, typology, literal, historical) that would supply them with their desired theology or interpretive conclusion. Clement (d. ca. Para l, el Logos de Dios resucit a Lzaro de la muerte, mientras que el hombre Jess llor ante su tumba. [18] In fact, throughout his Romans commentary, Origen arguesthat Paul speaks more often of natural law than Mosaic Law. Rather than being a prison house, our bodies give us the opportunity to exercise virtue and grow into the likeness of God. St. Vladimirs Theological Quarterly 52, no. 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. For himself, he says, he has chosen to be on the. [9] Mark Edwards, Origen against Plato (Hampshire, England: Ashgate, 2002), 160-1. 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. Una de sus frases favoritas es: El Logos sufri impasiblemente. The difference between Alexandria and Antioch was not exegetical; it was theological. 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 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. I 0000003186 00000 n I was in search of an online course; Perfect e Learn Este es a la vez poderoso y frgil, majestuoso y humilde. Dr. Pittenger's Criticism of the Alexandrine Christology.-In one place Dr. Pittenger admits that the Alexandrine and the Antiochene are two legitimate ways of thinking on the Person of our Lord, and that each of them will have adherents and admirers all the time. Given the various theological controversies that existed in Origens day, it is no surprise that his commentary evinces a somewhat polemical character. [22], Second, Origen believes that the letter of the law is unattainable. The difference between Alexandria and Antioch was not exegetical; it was theological. 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. En sus cartas contra Nestorio, Cirilo no slo defiende el ttulo de Theotokos contra acusaciones de que estaba reviviendo la hereja del Apolinarianismo, pero l niega la genuina legitimidad del uso de esquemas cristolgicos alternativos, tales como la asociacin de personas, de la que haban hablado los pensadores antioqueos. John Anthony McGuckin (Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004), 139. WebCompatibility of Antiochene and Alexandrian Christology - Read online for free. [6] Karlfried Froehlich, Biblical Interpretation in the Early Church (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1984), 15-16. 0000005673 00000 n Even the ceremonial laws have a spiritual sense, although it may be comparatively more obscure than for the moral laws. 16 and 33, Vetus Latina: Aus der Geschichte der lateinischen Bibel (Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany: Herder, 1990-1998). While the Alexandrian school adopted the "hypostasis union" or the "nature union" of the Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. [1] The Alexandrian tradition thus placed a heavier emphasis on the trans-historical, spiritual meaning of Scripture, while the Antiochene tradition stressed the primacy of the literal, historically situated meaning of Scripture. Alan J. Hauser and Duane F. Watson (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2003), 352. [] Note: this is the second part of a paper originally written for a class on the History of Biblical Interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. It would be a mistake to say that the literal sense of a text was irrelevant for Origen; rather, discerning the literal sense was the necessary means by which one could attain the spiritual sense. graduation. In spite of some of his more idiosyncratic conclusions, Origen developed an exegetical method that would have a profound impact on subsequent theologians. helped me to continue my class without quitting job. WebANTIOCHENE THEOLOGY The dominant theology of the early Church in Antioch. Para Nestorio, el lenguaje del intercambio de propiedades era en general sospechoso, y con frecuencia odioso. It was generally in contrast with and sometimes opposed to the theology of Alexandria. Theological History of Two Natures/One Person, The rejection of the term Theotokos by Nestorius Constantinople, Nestorius did not intend to argue that Christ had a dual nature, but that view became labeled Nestorianism (PRO), The Two Is of Christ: Revisiting the Christological Controversy, El rechazo del trmino Theotokos por Nestorio de Constantinopla y la refutacin de su enseanza por Cirilo de Alejan, La Virgen Mara, Theotokos, y Cristo, verdadero Dios y verdadero Hombre. 0000008123 00000 n Antiochene theology Quick Reference A modern designation for a style of theology associated with the Church at Antioch, contrasted with Alexandrine theology. Origens doctrine of the body seems to directly parallel his doctrine of biblical interpretation. 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. [25] Thomas Scheck, Law, in The Westminster Handbook to Origen, ed. Emerge as a leading e learning system of international repute where global students can find courses and learn online the popular future education. For himself, he says, he has chosen to be on the. At the same time, Origens eschatology suggests that the body is a mere stepping stone to a higher reality, one in which we enjoy immediate communion with God unencumbered by carnal habits like eating and drinking.[10]. Thomas Scheck (Washington, D.C.: The Catholic University of America Press, 2002), 1-2. For Origen, God ordained this historical event in order to guide his people from the letter to the spirit. 0000002620 00000 n WebAntiochene exegetes tended to insist more than their Alexandrian counterparts on the importance of seeing each biblical passage in its context within the longer narrative of Israels history, and to search for practical, moral applications, while Alexandrian interpreters tended to be more interested in the theological and spiritual meaning. In scriptural exegesis it placed more emphasis on the The goal of this paper will be to evaluate the life and work of one representative of the Alexandrian tradition, Origen of Alexandria. [2] Even during his own lifetime, he would prove to be a controversial figure. 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. 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. Dr. Pittenger's Criticism of the Alexandrine Christology.-In one place Dr. Pittenger admits that the Alexandrine and the Antiochene are two legitimate ways of thinking on the Person of our Lord, and that each of them will have adherents and admirers all the time. 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. Angels were bound to natural law,[16] Gentiles to natural and civil laws, Jews to natural and ceremonial laws, and Christians to the law of Christ. The contemporary historian Socrates called Nestorius a proud and ignorant man whose innate and undisputed oratorical power masked a weakness of incisive thought. It was generally in contrast with and sometimes opposed to the theology of Alexandria. 215 AD) was committed to the idea that all truth, whether in pagan or biblical sources, found its fulfillment in the reality of Christ. WebAlexandrian and Antiochene theologians were expedient hermeneuts, meaning they utilized whichever exegetical practice (allegory, typology, literal, historical) that would supply them with their desired theology or interpretive conclusion. As Chau observes, The New Testament differs from the Old only in being a clearer, but not a fuller, manifestation of the spirit.[28], (See the conclusion of the paper in Part 2.). WebCyril 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. The solution for Origen was to uphold the Mosaic Laws spiritual meaning, as elucidated through the work of Christ. The Alexandrian Christology is usually referred to as Christology from above, orLogos SarxChristology. This is why Origen can speak of Christian baptism as the spiritual equivalent of circumcision (Calvinists were not the first to make this connection!). WebAntiochene exegetes tended to insist more than their Alexandrian counterparts on the importance of seeing each biblical passage in its context within the longer narrative of Israels history, and to search for practical, moral applications, while Alexandrian interpreters tended to be more interested in the theological and spiritual meaning. Origen (ca. WebCompatibility of Antiochene and Alexandrian Christology - Read online for free. 42 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 44 /H [ 940 297 ] /L 26946 /E 10052 /N 4 /T 25988 >> endobj xref 42 26 0000000016 00000 n Quite the contrary, Origen believes that the letter of the Mosaic Law brought the beginnings of life to humanity. [12] The critical edition of Origens commentary in the original Latin can be found in Caroline P. Hammond Bammel, Der Rmerbriefkommentar des Origenes: kritische Ausgabe der bersetzung Rufins, vols. 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. Origen, Contra Celsum, 1.4-5; 5.37. (LogOut/ 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. In the following centuries, the church faced opposition on two fronts. 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. 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. Philo used this allegorical approach to Scripture to prove that Moses was superior to any pagan philosophers. 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. He was endowed with a brilliant mind and a zeal for orthodoxy, but sometimes his efforts to combat heresies would cause him to over-correct in heterodox directions. [3] According to Elizabeth Lauro, the somatic sense can be understood as literal, whereas the psychic and pneumatic senses are non-literal. Christ had two natures. May 30, 2018 by Kyle Dillon 2 Comments. But the nature and extent of this discontinuity would continue to be debated. However, church historians have long since recognized that this distinction is neither wholly accurate nor helpful in exegetical studies. This makes it an invaluable resource on early Christian understanding of Mosaic Law. 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. I will show how the distinction between law and gospel in his Commentary on Galatians favors the discontinuity of Mosaic Law. Conceiving Orthodox Christology, reviewing Cyril - pillar of faith'- Miaphysite Soteriology, in light of recent theological research, by Kasper, McGuckin, Meunier, Schoonenberg, Wickham, et al, Dogma and spirituality in Cyrillian logic. [19] This supports Origens insistence that there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile. Nestorius argued that Theotokos did not do justice to the fact that, strictly speaking, Mary was not the mother of God but rather the mother of the man whom Christian faith recognizes as divine and thus calls God. But, our concern was whether she could join the universities of our preference in abroad. Two interpretive traditions emerged: the Alexandrian and the Antiochene. If Jesus was only human, Cyril argues, and God was elsewhere, the Incarnation, the Word become flesh, would be meaningless.