Irimbert of Admont and his Scriptural Commentaries: Exegeting Salvation History in the Twelfth Century Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Shannon Marie Turner Li, M.A. Graduate Program in History The Ohio State University 2017 Dissertation Committee: Alison I. Beach, PhD, Advisor David Brakke, PhD Kristina Sessa, PhD Copyright by Shannon Marie Turner Li 2017 Abstract Through an examination of Irimbert of Admont’s (c. 1096-1176) scriptural commentaries, I argue that Irimbert makes use of traditional themes of scriptural interpretation while also engaging with contemporary developments in theology and spirituality. Irimbert of Admont and his writings have been understudied and generally mischaracterized in modern scholarship, yet a case study into his writings has much to offer in our understanding of theology and spirituality at the monastery of Admont and the wider context of the monastic Hirsau reform movement. The literary genre of exegesis itself offers a unique perspective into contemporary society and culture, and Irimbert’s writings, which were written within a short span, make for an ideal case study. Irimbert’s corpus of scriptural commentaries demonstrates strong themes of salvation history and the positive advancement of the Church, and he explores such themes in the unusual context of the historical books of the Old Testament, which were rarely studied by medieval exegetes. Irimbert thus utilizes biblical history to craft an interpretive scheme of salvation history that delicately combines traditional and contemporary exegetical, theological, and spiritual elements. The twelfth-century library at Admont housed an impressive collection of traditional patristic writings alongside the most recent scholastic texts coming out of Paris. Therefore, Irimbert did not work in intellectual isolation, and as such, his writings do not merely recycle traditional exegetical themes and practices. Rather, Irimbert subtly weaves contemporary theological and spiritual subject matter into his interpretive i narratives of the scriptural text. Irimbert’s engagement with contemporary intellectual concerns speaks to a monastic community and reform network that was actively involved in the broader religious and cultural context of the twelfth century. ii To Mom and Dad iii Acknowledgments I am thankful to the following libraries and institutions for allowing me access to their resources during research trips: Stiftsbibliothek Admont, especially Prof. Dr. Johann Tomaschek; Hill Museum and Manuscript Library (HMML); and the Universities of Bonn and Tübingen. I am grateful to the reproduction staff at HMML for their microfilm duplication services. My research could not have been completed without the generous financial support from The Ohio State University (OSU) Department of History, as well as the Heckman Stipend from HMML. I would like to thank the many individuals at OSU who provided me with assistance and advice throughout the course of my graduate studies. I learned much from the reading and independent study courses with David Brakke and Kristina Sessa, and I am grateful for their counsel as my dissertation committee members. I am indebted to the guidance offered by my advisor, Alison Beach. During the summer of my first year in graduate school, I took a research trip to Germany that overlapped with Alison’s. Her spontaneous suggestion to take a trip to Austria and examine the wonderful manuscript collection at Admont fueled my interest in Irimbert, his writings, and his intellectual world. Her subsequent encouragement and insight into the topic were an essential contribution to the polished, final draft of this dissertation. I am thankful to have had an advisor who was both a mentor and a friend. And finally, graduate student life would be quite bleak without the friendship of fellow classmates, and I would especially like to thank Sam Sutherland for his companionship. Not only was he an invaluable source of iv advice concerning grad-school matters, but our countless conversations about anime and our board-game nights were a much-needed diversion. As the dedication to this work indicates, I am forever grateful to my parents, Carolyn and Tony Turner. Their enthusiasm as history buffs and our numerous family vacations to historical sites inspired me to pursue historical studies. More importantly, their continuous love and support has kept me motivated through years of schooling. Finally, I would like to thank my husband, Jimmy. We dated, became engaged, and got married over the course of my graduate studies, and I cannot imagine having gotten through these years without his love and encouragement. He is always a reliable source of practical advice, and this quality of his proved greatly beneficial during the final push. I hope to faithfully reciprocate that love and support. v Vita 2008................................................................................... Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School 2012................................................................................... B.A. History, summa cum laude Emphasis in European History Wisconsin Lutheran College 2014................................................................................... M.A. History The Ohio State University 2012-present ...................................................................... Graduate Teaching Associate Department of History The Ohio State University Fields of Study Major Field: History vi Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................ i Dedication .......................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgments .............................................................................................................. iv Vita ..................................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... ix Note on the Texts and Translations .....................................................................................x Abbreviations ..................................................................................................................... xi Introduction ..........................................................................................................................1 Irimbert of Admont: The Life of a Monk-Exegete ..................................................4 Admont and the Hirsau Reform .............................................................................13 Placing Irimbert in the Context of the Twelfth Century ........................................18 Chapter 1: Irimbert’s Approach to Scripture and Exegesis ...............................................29 Introduction: Irimbert’s Commentaries .................................................................29 Development of Medieval Exegesis ......................................................................32 Admont and the Scholastic World .........................................................................41 Irimbert, Admont, and the Importance of History .................................................49 Irimbert’s Exegetical Approach .............................................................................56 Irimbert and the Senses of Scripture ......................................................................60 The Literal Sense and Historical Understanding .......................................61 The Allegorical Sense ................................................................................74 The Moral Sense ........................................................................................86 Conclusion .............................................................................................................94 Chapter 2: Irimbert and Salvation History .........................................................................96 Introduction: Irimbert’s Fundamental Theme ........................................................96 Historical Context ................................................................................................100 First Parents and Original Sin ..............................................................................104 Mysteries of Christ ...............................................................................................107 The Dual Nature of Christ ........................................................................109 Christ’s Redemptive Work ......................................................................117 Role of the Holy Spirit .........................................................................................126 Irimbert’s View of the Holy Spirit ...........................................................130 Pre-Incarnation Role ................................................................................132 Incarnation Role .......................................................................................133 vii Post-Incarnation Role ...............................................................................135 Preaching as a Contribution to the Economy of Salvation ..................................138 Preaching in