Teaching the Tradition: Twelfth-Century Scholastic Commentaries on Paul's Letter to the Romans
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Teaching the Tradition: Twelfth-Century Scholastic Commentaries on Paul’s Letter to the Romans by Peter Francis O’Hagan A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Centre for Medieval Studies University of Toronto © Copyright by Peter O’Hagan 2017 Teaching the Tradition: Twelfth-Century Scholastic Commentaries on Paul’s Letter to the Romans Peter Francis O’Hagan Doctor of Philosophy Centre for Medieval Studies University of Toronto 2017 Abstract This thesis provides the first study of the relationship between three of the most important commentaries on Paul’s Letter to the Romans produced in the cathedral schools of northern France during the twelfth century, a period usually defined as “early scholasticism.” Studies of this period normally focus on the theological works of the teachers in these schools, leaving to one side their biblical exegesis. This thesis argues for the central importance of biblical exposition to the study of theology in early scholasticism by emphasizing two related aspects of these commentaries: first, that they are the result of classroom teaching rather than written treatises, and second, that the primary goal of this teaching was the handing on of a tradition of reflection on the Bible. The first chapter studies the so-called Glossa ‘ordinaria’ on Romans. The Glossa was the most important exposition of Romans in the twelfth century, existing in hundreds of manuscripts and forming the basis for teaching. The first chapter traces the sources and methodology of the Glossa, arguing that it is better understood as a classroom text than as a reference work. The second chapter turns to the Glossa’s most influential user, Peter Lombard (d. 1160), whose Magna glosatura on Romans also exists in hundreds of manuscripts. Chapter two analyzes Lombard’s use of the Glossa and how he uses it as the gateway to his own teaching of Romans. ii The third chapter studies the Postille in Apostolum of Stephen Langton (c.1150-1228), tracing Langton’s use of Lombard’s Magna in his own teaching of Romans and arguing for the unity of Langton’s biblical lectures and his theological works. This study therefore establishes a trajectory of teaching the tradition of reflection on the Pauline Epistles, from the Glossa, through Lombard’s Magna, to Langton’s Postille. iii Acknowledgments It has been a long process, but here it is at last! And I am now permitted a moment to thank those who have been so important in getting me to this point. First, I must acknowledge the members of my doctoral committee, the Dream Team, Professors Alexander Andrée, Joseph Goering, and Giulio Silano. They sparked my love for the Middle Ages during my undergraduate at St. Michael’s College, and I have (almost!) never regretted taking the path their teaching and enthusiasm inspired. They have been encouraging and supportive throughout my university years, and eminently patient as I struggled to define and write my project. I would also like to acknowledge others who have helped me in presenting and developing my work. In particular, Prof. Mark J. Clark, for co-organizing with Prof. Andrée the Toronto- Washington colloquia on the study of the Bible where I was able to present research in progress, and for providing me with valuable feedback which I incorporated into the dissertation. Profs. Lawrin Armstrong, Suzanne Akbari, and the other members of the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto, as well as Dr. Andreas Speer and the other members of the University of Cologne, who organized the Cologne-Toronto graduate symposium in 2015, at which I was able again to present work in progress; also Dr. Peter Orth, who provided helpful feedback at that symposium. Finally, my acknowledgements could hardly be complete without mentioning my ever-loving parents, Margaret and Dennis, and my wonderful siblings, Katie, Heidi, and Paul. Without their support, I never could have had the fortitude to complete what has been an arduous, though rewarding, process. iv Table of Contents List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... viii Introduction ......................................................................................................................................1 Chapter 1 The Glossa ‘Ordinaria’ on Paul’s Letter to the Romans .................................................8 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................8 1.1 The Glossa on the Pauline Epistles: The status quaestionis. .............................................11 1.1.1 Anselm and the School of Laon .............................................................................11 1.1.2 Anselm and the Glossa on the Pauline Epistles .....................................................13 1.2 The Glossa on Romans: An Overview...............................................................................20 1.2.1 The Early Manuscripts ...........................................................................................20 1.2.2 Not an ordinaria, not Rusch ...................................................................................25 1.3 The Sources of the Glossa ..................................................................................................31 1.3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................31 1.3.2 The Church Fathers on Romans .............................................................................32 1.3.3 The Carolingian ‘Chain’ Commentaries ................................................................36 1.3.4 The Immediate Predecessors of the Glossa ...........................................................38 1.4 Analyzing the Glossa .........................................................................................................45 1.4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................45 1.4.2 The Complexity of the Glossa: Romans 1:17 ........................................................47 1.4.3 Pro altercatione: Paul’s Purpose in Writing ...........................................................55 1.4.4 Bruno and the Glossa: Romans 1:1-4 ....................................................................59 1.4.5 Florus and the Glossa – Romans 3:19-31 (De Lege) .............................................66 1.4.6 Ambrosiaster and the Glossa .................................................................................74 1.4.7 The Sententiae and the Glossa ...............................................................................75 1.5 Conclusion .........................................................................................................................79 Chapter 2 ........................................................................................................................................82 v Peter Lombard’s Magna glosatura on Romans ..............................................................................82 2 Introduction ...............................................................................................................................82 2.1 Peter Lombard and the Magna glosatura: the status quaestionis .......................................84 2.1.1 Peter Lombard’s Life and Works ...........................................................................84 2.1.2 The Magna glosatura on the Pauline Epistles ........................................................88 2.1.3 Theoretical considerations .....................................................................................92 2.2 Analysis of the Magna glosatura......................................................................................101 2.2.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................101 2.2.2 Glossing the Glossa: Romans 1:17 ......................................................................103 2.2.3 The Complexity of the Glossa: Romans 9:17 ......................................................117 2.2.4 Moving Beyond the Glossa: Romans 2:5 ............................................................127 2.3 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................148 Chapter 3 ......................................................................................................................................152 Stephen Langton’s Postille in Apostolum....................................................................................152 3 Introduction .............................................................................................................................152 3.1 The Postille in Epistolas Pauli .........................................................................................164 3.1.1 The Manuscripts...................................................................................................164 3.1.2 The Postille and the Magna glosatura ..................................................................169 3.1.3 The Glossa and the Magister ................................................................................171 3.2 Teaching the Tradition .....................................................................................................178