Copyright © 2021 Jordan Harris Edwards All Rights Reserved. The
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Copyright © 2021 Jordan Harris Edwards All rights reserved. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has permission to reproduce and disseminate this document in any form by any means for purposes chosen by the Seminary, including, without limitation, preservation or instruction. PROMISSAM VIM SPIRITUS SANCTI: THE HOLY SPIRIT’S ACTIVITY IN EARLY CARTHAGINIAN PNEUMATOLOGY __________________ A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary __________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy __________________ by Jordan Harris Edwards January 2021 APPROVAL SHEET PROMISSAM VIM SPIRITUS SANCTI: THE HOLY SPIRIT’S ACTIVITY IN EARLY CARTHAGINIAN PNEUMATOLOGY Jordan Harris Edwards Read and Approved by: __________________________________________ Michael A.G. Haykin (Chair) __________________________________________ Stephen O. Presley __________________________________________ Gregg R. Allison Date______________________________ To Lindsay, Without whom I never would have completed this arduous task. “Well, I’m back.” TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................... vii PREFACE ........................................................................................................................ viii Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................1 Methodology .......................................................................................................3 Historical Summary of the Research ..................................................................4 Argument ............................................................................................................9 Significance .......................................................................................................11 2. ROMAN CARTHAGE .........................................................................................12 Archaeological vs Textual ................................................................................13 Social .................................................................................................................15 Wealth ...................................................................................................... 15 Literacy .................................................................................................... 19 Education ................................................................................................. 21 Philosophical .....................................................................................................23 Political .............................................................................................................28 Roman Imperial Government .................................................................. 28 Persecution and Martyrdom ..................................................................... 30 Religious ...........................................................................................................36 Religious Cults ......................................................................................... 37 Roman Views of “Spirit” ......................................................................... 38 State of Christianity ................................................................................. 40 iv Chapter Page Practice of Christianity ............................................................................ 41 Conclusion ........................................................................................................43 3. THE SPIRIT’S ACTIVITY IN TERTULLIAN’S PRE-MONTANIST WORKS ...............................................................................44 Tertullian’s Life ................................................................................................47 Disputed Chronology ........................................................................................48 The Spirit’s Activity in Tertullian’s Pre-Montanist Works ..............................49 Tertullian’s Interpretive Principles .......................................................... 50 Rule of Faith ............................................................................................ 52 Inspiration and Prophecy ......................................................................... 54 Anointing and Giving Gifts ..................................................................... 65 Strengthening and Training ..................................................................... 75 Salvation .................................................................................................. 84 Baptism .................................................................................................... 85 Conclusion ........................................................................................................88 4. THE SPIRIT’S ACTIVITY IN TERTULLIAN’S MONTANIST WORKS ........90 Tertullian’s Montanist Works ...........................................................................90 Question of Montanism .....................................................................................91 Comparison of Similar Themes ........................................................................99 Rule of Faith ............................................................................................ 99 Inspiration and Prophecy ....................................................................... 101 Anointing and Giving Gifts ................................................................... 109 Strengthening and Training ................................................................... 115 Salvation ................................................................................................ 120 Baptism .................................................................................................. 123 Examination of Different Themes ...................................................................124 Incarnation ............................................................................................. 125 v Chapter Page Persecution ............................................................................................. 126 Ecstasy/Ecstatic Visions ........................................................................ 128 Paraclete ................................................................................................. 131 Conclusion ......................................................................................................144 5. THE SPIRIT’S ACTIVITY IN CYPRIAN’S WORKS ......................................146 Cyprian of Carthage’s Life .............................................................................149 The Spirit’s Activity in Cyprian’s Works .......................................................151 Inspiration and Prophecy ....................................................................... 152 Anointing and Giving Gifts ................................................................... 160 Strengthening and Training ................................................................... 167 Salvation ................................................................................................ 174 Baptism .................................................................................................. 177 Additional Themes ................................................................................. 184 Conclusion ......................................................................................................188 6. CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................190 BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................... 197 Primary Works ................................................................................................197 Secondary Works ............................................................................................199 vi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ACW Ancient Christian Writers ANF Ante-Nicene Fathers CCSL Corpus Christianorum Series Latina PL Patrologia Latina SC Sources Chrétiennes vii PREFACE First and foremost, I need to thank the Lord for preserving me through this process and using it to shape me for his glory. This entire process has made me so painfully aware of my own shortcomings, so the fact that I am writing these thanks at the end of this endeavor is entirely a result of his goodness and sustaining power. I am so thankful that I serve a good God whose lovingkindness has been so evident over the last four years. This dissertation would not have been possible without the invaluable assistance of so many people. On a professional level, I want to first acknowledge Bing Bayer, James Smith, and Clint Bass for instilling a love of history in me from my undergrad. I also want to thank the entire history department of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for their regular encouragement and support in this process, especially Shawn Wright, Stephen Presley, and John Wilsey. From each of these men, I have learned what it means to be a Christian historian of the highest caliber, and I cannot thank them enough for their investment in me, academically and personally, throughout my PhD program. I also want to thank Gregg Allison for agreeing