A Brief Abstract of Each Paper I Heard Presented at the Pappas Patristics Institute

Here are the papers I have heard presented so far. Still one day to go. So many I want to hear but one has to choose. If I am particularly interested in the topic, presenters will graciously email to me their papers as long as I do not cite them in any published work. They are still working on the papers since they are often a section of their PhD dissertation yet to be completed. The amount of work that goes into these papers is immense. They are the result of research in the primary sources, most often in Latin or Greek, but also in Syriac, Coptic, etc. I am surprised that people’s eyes still work after all that reading. 

Presenter   Maria del Fiat Miola, Catholic University of America

Title   Irenaeus’ Adversus Haereses 3.22.4: Mary as Untier of Knots

Abstract   Scholars have amply documented the seminal role of Irenaeus of Lyons in

the development of Marian doctrine and theology; in the last century, they

have paid particular interest to his description of Mary as the New Eve. In

Adversus Haereses 3.22.4, however, Irenaeus uses a rare Marian metaphor

which has yet to be fully explored: “the knot of Eve’s disobedience was

untied through Mary’s obedience.” The present study seeks to untangle

this knot through a close exegesis of the passage and a study of its

connection to the rest of the Irenaean corpus.

After an examination of the image, it becomes clear that the metaphor of the

knot serves Irenaean theology in three ways. First, it enables Irenaeus to

describe a profound typological relationship between Mary and Eve on the

model of Christ and Adam. Second, the binding and loosing verbs place

Mary and Eve in the biblical context of a triple captivity to Satan, sin, and

death. Finally, the loosing of the knot highlights Mary’s unique and active

role in the dispensation of salvation. For Irenaeus, Mary has become the

cause of salvation (“causa salutis”) on two levels: she physically provides

Christ’s very flesh and she voluntarily accepts the Divine Will at the

Annunciation. Irenaeus’ Mary has rightly been named by M.C. Steenberg

“co-recapitulator” with Christ in redemption; Irenaeus’ knot eloquently

describes the Providence of a God who redeems humanity by making use

of the gentle, patient fingers of a Virgin Mother.

 

Presenter   Aaron Friar, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

Title   The Ecstatic Dance of Salvation: Synergy & Reciprocity in St. Maximus the

Confessor

Abstract   In the present essay, I attempt to unpack the soteriological implications of

the Orthodox doctrine of synergy especially as taught by St. Maximus the

Confessor and compare/contrast it with more linear or syllogistic

understandings of salvation vis a vis Blessed Augustine of Hippo and

Reformer John Calvin. Synergy is portrayed with the image of a divine

dance wherein both divine and human partners have a role to play of

initiation and response, of give and take, in a golden line dance of sanctity

reaching backwards and forwards through time.

In the epilogue, we discuss briefly the foolish and stupid arguments that

often result from arguing the priority of either faith or works in more linear

understandings of salvation and how the best and most spiritual response

to such disputes is to remain silent and to go within.

 

Presenter Jordan Jenkins, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary

Title THE PARADOX OF DICHOTOMOUS CHRISTOLOGICAL BRANDING

DURING THE SECOND ORIGENIST CONTROVERSY

Abstract   There is not a copious amount of scholarship available in relation to the

Second Origenist Controversy. Consequently, the scholarship that exists is

almost solely concerned with the writings of Cyril of Scythopolis and

Leontius of Byzantium. However, there are a plethora of underlying

historical and theological problems that exist within the controversy, none

of which is more confusing than the dichotomous Christological branding.

During the controversy a wide variety of figures are being accused of

holding to various positions that relate to Evagrian-Origenism. These

positions would traditionally be seen as relating to the pre-existence of

souls, apocatastasis (or final restoration), or simply the freedom for

theological speculation. 

Yet, the presence of these issues is overshadowed; historical evidence

illustrates that Christology holds a central position within the controversy.

When theological accusations are asserted they are almost always attached

with a branding of Nestorianism or Monophysitism. However, the figures

being accused do not always adhere to the Christological position with

which they are labeled. This issue has not been adequately resolved by

modern scholarship, and is in need of further study . In this essay I will

investigate whether this dichotomous Christological branding is an

overgeneralized combining of common enemies , an internal split within

the accused Origenist group , or whether there is a middle ground that

illuminates an interesting Christological perspective.

Presenter   Teva Regule, Boston College

Title   The Mystagogy of Germanus of Constantinople and Its Influence on the Byzantine

Rite

Abstract   Germanus of Constantinople is a notable exemplar of the interpretative

liturgical tradition in the East. This paper will examine his mystagogy

found in his work, Ecclesiastical History and Mystical Contemplation,

focusing primarily on his explanation of the Entrance Rites within the

Eucharistic celebration. It will begin by looking at the methods of biblical

interpretation in the early Church and their appropriation to the

understanding of the liturgy during the Early Medieval Period. For

Scripture, the text was the basis of the interpretation that followed. For

liturgy, the ritual became the foundation of interpretation. After placing

Germanus in his ecclesial context, I will summarize his interpretation of the

Entrance rites. This paper will then focus briefly on the implications of his

interpretation, specifically his subsequent influence on the thought,

practice, and ironically, the text of the Liturgy. Lastly, I will offer a short

critique of his liturgical interpretation and of the method more generally.

 

Presenter  Jason Steidl, Fordham University

Title   Gregory the Great and the Conversion of Sicilian Jews

Abstract   Gregory the Great’s missionary ventures have long provoked scholarly

discussion and debate. Especially pertinent for contemporary interreligious

dialogue, however, is the pope’s relationship with Jews and his attempts to

convert them. While much has been written concerning Gregory’s letter to

Cyprian (Series 2, Volume 12, Book V, Epistle 8 in Phillip Schaff’s Nicene

and Post Nicene Fathers), the deacon and rector of Sicily, concerning a plan

to bring Jewish tenants on papal lands into the Christian faith by lowering

their rent, it seems a later letter to Fantinus (Series 2, Volume 12, Book VIII,

Epistle 238 in Phillip Schaff’s Nicene and Post Nicene Fathers ), the papal

administrator of Palermo, has been largely overlooked. Written in response

to a large and seemingly unexpected group of Jews seeking conversion to

Christianity, the letter to Fantinus appears to describe the consequences of

Gregory’s policies put forward in his letter to Cyprian. For this reason,

Gregory’s instructions to Fantinus bear witness to the concrete effects of

papal mission strategy among the Jews in Sicily. Reading the letters

together presents a complete before-and-after view of papal administrative

policy while raising many questions concerning the reach of Gregory’s

episcopal authority.

 

Presenter John Boyer, Institution Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

Title   EPHREM’S METAMORPHOSIS

Abstract  There is attributed to St. Ephrem the Syrian (4th c.) a masterful homily on

the Transfiguration of our Lord, as recounted in the Gospel according to

Matthew. Clearly a text meant to be delivered aloud, the homily’s form,

rhetoric and content are artful, riveting, and prime examples of patristic

biblical exegesis. St. Ephrem expands on and deepens the biblical account of

the event, painting a verbal icon of the Transfiguration. Focusing on the

Christological controversies of the time, he answers a series of questions, all

of which lead to the central question, “Who is this King of Glory?” This

paper will demonstrate that for St. Ephrem, the event, scene and

background of the Transfiguration is a weapon for Orthodoxy in the

Christological polemics of his time.

 

 

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