Mind, Text, and Commentary: Noetic Exegesis in Origen of Alexandria, Didymus the Blind, and Evagrius Ponticus

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Studying Exegesis, Interpreting Interpretation 9
	Introduction 9
	Sample Exegetes and Source Texts 16
	Origen of Alexandria (185–254) 20
	Didymus the Blind (c. 313–c. 398) 23
	Evagrius Ponticus (c. 345–c. 400) 27
	Terminology 28
	Christians and Pagans 42
	Precedent and Progress in the Interpretation of Interpretation 43
Chapter 2 What: What Manner of Thing Was The Text Beleived To Be? 59
	Introduction 59
	The Larger Cultural Context 63
	The Nature of the Text and Exegetical Controversy 73
	Traditional Texts as Media of Revelation in the Sample Commentators 86
	The Authors of Traditional Texts as Visionaries and Prophets 96
	Constructing Revelation: Interpretive Maintenance of the Authority of the Text 116
	Perceiving the Moral and Spiritual Referent 132
	Conclusions 145
Chapter 3 Why: Under What Conditions Was Noetic Exegesis Considered Necessary? 149
	Introduction 149
	The Intelligible and the Sensible: Metaphysical Categories and Multiple Referents 154
	Ordinary Language and Perfect Knowledge: The Paradox of Written Revelation 198
	Conclusions 218
Chapter 4 How: The Performance, Embodiment, and Acquisition of Noetic Skill 221
	Introduction 221
	Contemporary Psychology and the Cognitive Equipment Used in Noetic Exegesis 228
	Embodying Noetic Skill: the Interpreter as Philosopher, Holy Man, or Spiritual Guide 253
	Exegesis and Education: Acquiring Noetic Skill 266
	Philosophical Formation in the Larger Cultural Context 270
	Origen’s Curriculum 276
	Didymus the Blind’s Curriculum 284
	Evagrius and Monastic Formation 289
	Conclusions 296
Chapter 5 Where: The Social and Institutional Context of Noetic Exegesis 299
	Introduction 299
	The Logistics of Higher Education in the Larger Culture 305
	Pedagogical Logistics in Origen 313
	Pedagogical Logistics in Didymus 319
	Pedagogical Logistics in Evagrius 325
	Noetic Exegesis in Practice 330
	The Praxis of Noetic Exegesis in Origen’s School 334
	The Praxis of Noetic Exegesis in the School of Didymus 340
	Evagrius’ Praxis of Noetic Exegesis in Instruction 345
	Confession and Interpretation 356
	Conclusions 363
Chapter 6 Noetic Exegesis 365
	Introduction 365
	A Thick Description of Noetic Exegesis 366
	The Interpretive Assumptions Governing Noetic Exegesis 374
	Noetic Exegesis, Neoplatonist Influence, and Cultural Context 377
	Noetic Exegesis, Patristics, and Ancient History 384
Bibliography 387
Acknowledgements 415