The Oxford Handbook of Early Christian Biblical Interpretation

Cover
The oxford handbook of EARLY CHRISTIAN BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION
Copyright
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
List of Figures
Abbreviations
List of Contributors
Introduction
Part I: SCRIPTURE
	Chapter 1: Scripture as Artefact
		Early Christian Biblical Remains
		Geographical Distribution
		Early Christian Manuscripts
			Other Inscriptional Features
		Scribes and Scriptoria
		Circulation of Manuscripts
		Conclusion
		References
		Suggested Reading
		Websites
	Chapter 2: The Septuagint and Other Translations
		Introduction
		Greek Biblical Versions
			Old Testament
				The Greek Pentateuch (or: the Septuagint in the Strict Sense)
				The Other Books of the ‘Septuagint’ (in the Broad Sense)
			The New Testament
			The Greek Christian Bible
				Canon
				Language
				Transmission: Christian Recensions
				Transmission: Dealing with the Hebrew Text and Other Jewish Greek Versions
		The Latin and Syriac Bible
			The Latin Bible
				The Old Latin Versions
				Jerome’s Revisions and Translation iuxta Hebraeos
			The Syriac Bible
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 3: Canons and Rules of Faith
		Terms
			Canon
			Rule of Faith
			Creed
		Canon of the Old Testament
		Septuagint
			Origin of the Septuagint
			Legends about the Origin of the Septuagint
			Canon Lists: Old Testament
			Canon of the Septuagint and Later Controversies
		Canon of the New Testament
			Earliest Writings and Collections
			Emergence of a New Testament
			Witnesses to the New Testament in the Second Century
			Canon Lists: New Testament
		The Rule of Faith
		Canons, Rules of Faith, and Theology
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 4: Divine Discourse: Scripture in the Economy of Revelation
		From the Written Word to Scripture
		Irenaeus: Towards a Holistic Reading of Scripture
		The Alexandrians and the Enigmatic Quality of Divine Discourse
		Scriptural Language and the Divine ‘Economy’
		Conclusion
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
Part II: INTERPRETERS AND INTERPRETATION
	Chapter 5: Graeco-Roman Literary Criticism
		Introduction
		Early Allegory
		Plato
		Aristotle
		Hellenistic Poetics
		Late Roman Republic
		Early Imperial Period
		Neoplatonic Poetics
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 6: Early Christian Handbooks on Interpretation
		Types of Handbooks on Biblical Interpretation
		Hermeneutical Issues in Important Handbooks
			Origen’s De principiis
			Tyconius’ Liber regularum
			Augustine’s De doctrina Christiana
			Eucherius’ Compendia
			Adrian’s Introductio in sacras scripturas
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 7: From Letter to Spirit: The Multiple Senses of Scripture
		Introduction
		Figurative Exegesis and Tradition
		Tertullian and God
		Irenaeus and Creation
		Origen and the Gospel
		Augustine
		The Literal Sense
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 8: Ideal Interpreters
		Topic
		Scholarly Trajectories
		Ideal Interpreters: Main Characteristics
			Interpreter’s Aim
			Interpreter’s Education
			Interpreter’s Manner
				Moral Credentials, Doctrinal Criteria
				Exegetical Precedent
				Exegetical Virtues
				Inspired Interpreter
		Conclusion
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
Part III: SETTINGS AND GENRES OF SCRIPTURAL INTERPRETATION
	I. EXEGETICAL GENRES
		Chapter 9: Commentaries
			Beginnings: Hellenistic Literary-Rhetorical Education and its Genres
			Origen and the ‘Invention’ of the Biblical Commentary
			Commentary ‘Topics’—‘Scientific’ Commenting and its Consequences
			After Origen: The Emergence of an Antiochene Tradition
			The Emergence of a Latin Tradition
			Jerome, Augustine, and beyond
			Conclusion
			References
				Ancient Sources
				Scholarship
				Suggested Reading
		Chapter 10: Scholia
			Introduction
			Classical Scholia
			Early Christian Scholia
				Exegetical Scholia
				Marginal Scholia
			Conclusion
			References
				Ancient Sources
				Scholarship
				Suggested Reading
		Chapter 11: Questions and Responses
			Exegetical Method and Literary Genre: Some Preliminaries
			An Overview of the ‘Questions and Responses’ on the Bible in Patristic Literature
				Greek Questions and Responses
				Latin Questions and Responses
			Conclusion: The Sacred Text Submitted to Question
			References
				Ancient Sources
				Scholarship
				Suggested Reading
		Chapter 12: Paraphrase and Metaphrase
			Introduction
			Overview and Definition of Paraphrase in Graeco-Roman Antiquity
			Prose Paraphrase of Scripture
			Verse Paraphrase of Scripture
			Conclusion
			References
				Ancient Sources
				Scholarship
				Suggested Reading
		Chapter 13: Catenae
			References
				Ancient Sources
				Scholarship
				Suggested Reading
		Chapter 14: Sentences
			Sentences in Classical Antiquity and Early Christianity
			The Sentences of Sextus
			Evagrius Ponticus
			The Apophthegmata Patrum
			Maximus Confessor
			References
				Ancient Sources
				Scholarship
				Suggested Reading
	II. LITURGICAL INTERPRETATION
		Chapter 15: Catecheses and Homilies
			An Intimate Relationship
				Scripture and the Origins of Preaching/Catechesis
				Two Genres or One with Fluid Boundaries?
				Where the Bible was Encountered
			Which Bible?
			A Multiplicity of Interpretative Modes
			References
				Scholarship
				Suggested Reading
		Chapter 16: Poetry and Hymnody
			Defining Hymnody and Exegesis
			Imitation and Exegesis
			Hymns and Heresy
			Authors and Texts: The Syriac Tradition
			Authors and Texts: The Greek Tradition
			Performative Exegesis
			Hymnody and Rewriting
			Comparative Hymnic Exegesis
			References
				Ancient Sources
				Scholarship
				Suggested Reading
		Chapter 17: Liturgy as Performative Interpretation
			Basil of Caesarea on the ‘Obscurity’ of Ritual Actions
			Liturgical Practice as Christian Habitus
			Interpretation as a Practice of Christian Habitus
			Use of Scripture as a Constitutive Practice
			Eucharist: An Example of Scriptural Interpretation of Liturgical Practice
			Conclusion: Performative Interpretation as Discovery
			References
				Ancient Sources
				Scholarship
				Suggested Reading
	III. NARRATIVE AND VISUAL INTERPRETATION
		Chapter 18: Christian Apocrypha
			References
				Ancient Sources
				Scholarship
				Suggested Reading
		Chapter 19: Novels
			References
				Ancient Sources
				Scholarship
				Suggested Reading
		Chapter 20: Hagiography
			Classical and Christian Origins of Hagiography
				Hellenistic Lives of Philosophers
				The Acts of the Martyrs
			Holy Men and Women in Egyptian Desert Literature
				Sayings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers
			Later Saints’ Lives
			Bishops’ Lives
			Lives of Confessors
			Conclusion
			References
				Ancient Sources
				Scholarship
				Suggested Reading
		Chapter 21: Early Christian Visual Art as Biblical Interpretation
			Overview: Narrative Art and Biblical Interpretation
			The Sacrifice of Isaac in Early Christian Art: A Case Study
			Conclusion
			References
				Ancient Sources
				Suggested Reading
Part IV: COMMUNITIES AND CRITERIA
	Chapter 22: Christianity and Judaism
		Introduction
		Problems
		A Shared Bible?
		Exegesis: Shared Culture and Varied Encounter
			Christian Reliance upon Jewish Interpretation
			Christian Use of the Old Testament in Adversus Judaeos Literature
			Jewish Responses to Christian Interpretation
			Context of Discussion
			Jews and the New Testament
		Conclusion
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 23: Christians and Pagans
		Early Reaction to the Septuagint
		Pseudo-Longinus
		Numenius of Apamea
		Lucian of Samosata
		Celsus
		Galen
		Porphyry
		Amelius Gentilianus
		Sossianus Hierocles
		Julian
		The Anonymous Philosopher of Macarius of Magnesia
		Conclusion
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 24: Marcion and his Critics
		Marcion’s Philosophy
		Marcion’s Philology
			Marcion’s Hermeneutics
			Marcion’s Bible
		The Critical Response to Marcion
		Conclusion
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 25: Gnostics and their Critics
		The Gnostic School of Thought
		Valentinus, the ValentinianSchool, and their Critics
		Conclusion
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 26: Manichaean Biblical Interpretation
		Mani and the Biblical Literary Tradition
		Dualism
		Christology
		The Mandatum Christi
		The Passion
		Manichaean Exegesis of Paul
		Manichaean Criticism of the Old Testament
		Manichaean Criticism of the New Testament
		Conclusion
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
Part V: SCRIPTURE IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH
	Chapter 27: Scripture and Martyrdom
		Introduction
		Martyrdom as Imitatio Christi: The New Testament Discourse and its Reception
		Biblical Exempla: The Maccabees and Stephen the Protomartyr
		Psalm 115.6 as Example of a Biblical Chorus
		Matthew 10.23 and Kairological Martyrdom
		Differing Biblical Approaches to Martyrdom in Augustine and the Donatists
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 28: Scripture in the Trinitarian Controversies
		Proverbs 8.22
		Scripture as Limit and Interruption
		John 5.19
		Fit to Interpret?
		References
		Ancient Sources
		Scholarship
		Suggested Reading
	Chapter 29: Scripture in the Christological Controversies
		In Accordance with the Scriptures
		From Biblical Questions to Scholastic Answers
		The Era of the Ancient Christological Councils
		From Scholastic Answers Back to Biblical Questions
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 30: Scripture and a Christian Empire
		Introduction
		Eusebius of Caesarea and the Christian Empire
		Other Voices
			Augustine
			Borderlands
			Dissenters
		The Bible and Military Service in the Christian Empire
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 31: Scripture and Asceticism
		Audience
		Types of Ascetic Interpretation of the Bible
			The Old Testament: Problem and Source
			‘Purity’ and ‘Impurity’: Old Testament Law and Christian Adaptation
			Some Techniques: A ‘Difference in Times’?
			Other Techniques: Origen’s Allegory
			The New Testament: Source and Problem
			1 Corinthians 7
		Syriac Exegesis
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
Part VI: SCRIPTURAL FIGURES AND MOTIFS
	Chapter 32: Creation
		Interpreting the Bible on the Origins of the World
		Interpreting Creation as a Divine Economy
		‘Groaning’ and Renewed Creation in Patristic Interpretation
		Conclusion
		References
		Ancient Sources
		Scholarship
		Suggested Reading
	Chapter 33: Adam and Eve
		Hebrew Bible
		New Testament
		Adam as Humanity
		Adam, Eve, and Sin
		Adam and Christ
		Eve and her Sex
		Adam and Eve as Historic Persons
		Conclusion
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 34: Covenants
		Definitions and Biblical Usage
		Covenant in the Epistle of Barnabas
		Covenant in Justin Martyr
		Themes Associated with Covenant in Groups Outside the Mainstream of the Church
		Covenant in Irenaeus
		Covenant in Clement of Alexandria
		Covenant in Tertullian
		Covenant in Origen
		Covenant in John Chrysostom
		Covenant in Augustine
		Conclusion
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 35: Exodus
		Introduction
		The Exodus Motif in Scripture
		The Exodus Motif in the Wake of the New Testament
		The Exodus Narrative in Origen
		Fourth-Century Treatises on Exodus: Ephrem the Syrian and Gregory of Nyssa
		The Exodus: A Common Fourth-Century Reading
		Questions on Exodus in the Fifth Century: Theodoret and Augustine
		Conclusion
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 36: Law
		Anti-Judaism and Early Christian Interpretation of the Law
		Interpretation of the Law of Moses in the Teeth of Dualist Forms of Christianity
		Conclusion
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 37: Psalms
		Introduction
			A New Way of Reading
		Characterizing the Early Christian Reading of the Psalms
		How the Psalms Functioned
			Liturgy and Worship
			Hermeneutics and Interpretation
			Apologetic Prophecy and Fulfilment
			Theological Instruction
			Moral Instruction
			Spiritual Diagnosis, Therapy, and Exercise
			Mystical Ascent
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 38: Sermon on the Mount
		Early Foundations of Interpretation
		Beatitudes
		The Lord’s Prayer and Prayer
		Antitheses (Matthew 5.21–48)
		Conclusion
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 39: The Gospel of John
		Introduction: The Unique Attraction and Influence of John
		Survey of Modern Scholarship
		The Multifarious Influence of John in the Life and Mission of the Church
			In Scriptural Interpretation
			In Preaching and Liturgy
			In Outreach: Evangelism, Apologetic, Protreptic
			Development of Doctrine: Christology and Trinitarianism
				John, Judaism, and Docetism
				Logos Christology in the Apologists
				Pneumatology/Montanism
				Monarchianism
				Arianism
			Iconography
		Conclusion
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 40: Paul the Apostle
		Introduction: Paul and his Legacy
		Paul in Controversy
		Paul as Model Ascetic
		Paul as Guide on the Road to Perfection: Origen
		Paul as Champion of Free Will: Pelagius
		Paul as Herald of Salvation by Divine Grace Alone: Augustine
		In Praise of Paul as Embodiment of all Virtue: John Chrysostom
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 41: The Cross
		The Apocalypse of the Cross
		Images of the Cross
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 42: Heaven and Hell
		Resources in Scripture for the Development of Heaven and Hell
		Scripture Invoked in Contexts Related to Heaven and Hell in Patristic Literature
			Corporeality in the Afterlife and the Status of the Dead Now
			The Millennial Reign of Christ
			The Permanent or Temporary Nature of Hell
			The Development of Purgatory and Prayer for the Dead
			Christ’s Sojourn in the Underworld
			Differentiated Rewards in Heaven
			The Nature of Punishments and Rewards
		References
		Ancient Sources
		Scholarship
		Suggested Reading
Part VII: RETRIEVALS AND CRITICISMS
	Chapter 43: Medieval Latin Reception
		From Jerome to Early Scholasticism
		High Scholastic Readings of 1 Timothy 2.4
		Conclusion
		References
			Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 44: Byzantine Reception
		Liturgical Contexts of Biblical Interpretation
		Exegetical or Theological Treatises, Commentaries, and Illustrated Manuscripts
		Biblical Interpretation and the Byzantine Laity
		The Monastic Background
		Conclusion
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 45: Reception in the Renaissance and Reformation
		Introduction
		Renaissance Humanism
		Protestant Reception in Continental Europe
			Appropriation of Fathers on Polemics
		English Reception
		Catholic Reception
		Conclusion
		References
			Primary Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 46: Modern Biblical Criticism and the Legacy of Pre-Modern Interpretation
		The Fathers, Irenicism, and the Republic of Letters
		Hugo Grotius and Richard Simon
		After Simon
		Conclusion
		References
			Ancient Sources
			Scholarship
			Suggested Reading
	Chapter 47: Retrievals in Contemporary Christian Theology
		Orthodox Retrievals
		Catholic Retrievals
		Protestant Retrievals
		Conclusion
		References
			Suggested Reading
Author Index
General Subject Index