The Use of the Wedding Feast at Cana, John 2:1-11 by the Latin Fathers in the Devt:Lopment of Marian Doctrine from the Second to the Eighth Century
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INTERNATIONAL MARIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON, OHIO in affiliation with the PONTIFICAL THEOLOGICAL FACULTY MARIANUM ROME, ITALY By: Elizabeth Marie Farley The Use of the Wedding Feast at Cana, John 2:1-11 By the Latin Fathers in the Devt:lopment of Marian Doctrine From the Second to the Eighth Century A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Licentiate of Sacred Theology with specialization in Marian Studies Director: Rev. Bertrand Buby, S.M. Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute University of Dayton 300 College Park Dayton, OH 45469-1390 2011 Table of Contents Precis Guidelines lV Chapter One Purpose, Scope, Structure and Method 1 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Purpose 3 1.3 Scope 5 1.4 Status Quaestionis 5 1.5 Structure: Period, Author, Writings 8 1.6 Method 9 Chapter Two Latin Christianity in Roman Africa: Tertullian and Cyprian 35 2.1 Introduction 35 2.2 Church in Roman North Africa 36 2.3 Life and Writings ofTertullian 42 2.4 Life and Writings of Cyprian 49 2.5 Foundation for Marian Doctrines 56 2.6 Marian Teaching 57 Chapter Three Latin Christianity in the West 59 3.1 Introduction 59 3.2 Latin Church in the West 60 t:.t:. 3.3 Life and \Vritings ofHilary ofPoitiers vv 3.4 Life and Writings of Ambrose of Milan 75 3.5 Life and Writings of Jerome 90 3.6 Life and Writing ofMaximus ofTurin 99 3.7 Life and Writing ofPaulinus ofNola 109 3.8 Life and Writings of Augustine of Hippo 117 3.9 Life and Writings ofGaudentius ofBrescia 146 3.10 Comparison of writings for chapter three 165 3.11 Marian Doctrine 176 Chapter 4 Latin Christianity in the Roman Empire, Ephesus to Third Council of Constantinople 179 4.1 Introduction 179 4.2 The Latin Church in the Roman Empire 180 4.3 Life and Writings of Quodvultdeus 191 4.4 Life and Writings of Pope Leo, the Great 205 4.5 Life and Writings of Bede, the Venerable 215 4.6 Comparison of writings for chapter four 226 4.7 Marian Doctrine 232 Chapter 5 Final Summary 235 5.1 Biblical Exegesis 235 5.2 Mary in Theology, Christology, Soteriology, and Ecclesiology 237 5.3 Mary in the Life of the Church 243 5.4 Marian Anthropology 244 5.5 Marian Doctrine 251 Bibliography Primary Sources 255 Secondary Sources 258 Journals 277 Precis The early Church Fathers searched the Gospel of John 2:1-11 for meaning and analyzed the verses to understand Jesus and his teaching, so that they might follow him in their communities of faith. In time, they became interested in understanding the role Mary played and the meaning of her words and actions. At the Wedding Feast at Carra, Mary was identified as the mother of Jesus and was a necessary catalyst for Jesus' manifestation of his divinity; the first sign in John's Gospel. She was also present at his last sign, his death, and exaltation on the Cross. This thesis presents the principal interpretations of Mary at the Wedding Feast at Carra, John 2:1-11 , by the Latin Fathers in the second to eighth centuries. In chapter one, the role of the Church Fathers is reviewed. This includes identifying their characteristics, qualifications, contribution to tradition, and primary concerns. Following this information is: a statement of purpose, scope of the thesis, and the present state of the question, which indicates what is original about this work. Presented next is the structure, which includes the periods referenced, names of authors, and topics covered. Subsequent to this is a review of foundational material for understanding Patristic biblical exegesis: fundamentals of Patristic exegesis, the Latin translation of the Bible referenced, the spiritual nature of John's Gospel, and the methodology applied to develop the Fathers' portrait of Mary according to Marian Anthropology. The last section provides a more detailed review of the method to be employed to analyze, compare, and summarize the writings. Chapter two initiates the journey into Latin Patristic exegesis and hermeneutics of John 2:1-11 in the pre-Nicene Period. The earliest extant material is presented here from Roman North Africa, that of Tertullian and Cyprian. After a brief introduction to the chapter, the Church in 1 North Africa is described, revealing the prominence of the Latin Bible in their works, the place of Sacraments in Church life, the major threats of heresies from within the Church, and persecutions from Imperial leaders. The main section of the chapter begins with "The Life and Works of Tertullian" and includes his three references to John 2: 1-11; the most notable being De anima, where he defends Jesus' true humanity. "The Life and Works Cyprian" follow with an analysis of Epistvla LJ(JJL in which he refers to the blood of Christ as an oblation. The last section explains why these two Fathers were included in this thesis, even when they did not write about Mary; they provided the foundation for Marian Doctrine. Chapter three covers the period that includes the First Council ofNicaea and the First Council of Constantinople, where Christological Doctrines were defined. These dogmas are clearly evident in the writings that will be presented next. This chapter follows the same pattern as chapter two. The Introduction presents the names and places of origin of the great Fathers who will be studied. This is followed by an overview of the Latin Church in the West, including the challenges faced by the Fathers and the Church, the Greek Fathers' influence on the Latin Fathers, the primacy of the Pope, and the role of the Fathers as Bishops and Pastors. After this the life and work of each Father is presented in chronological order: Hilary of Poi tiers, Ambrose of Milan, Jerome, Maximus ofTurin, Paulinus ofNola, Augustine ofHippo, and Gaudentius of Brescia. At the end of the chapter there is a comparison of their works. Chapter four begins with the Council of Ephesus and includes the other councils that define and confirm Mary as the Mother of God and perpetual virgin. The groundwork established by the teaching of the Fathers and confirmed by the prior Councils, now reveal Mary in relationship to her Divine Son and the Trinitarian plan of salvation for all people. The chapter 11 begins with an Introduction providing the names and places of origin for the Fathers to be included. This is followed by a brief overview of the Latin Church in the Roman Empire: the challenges faced by the Fathers, the Popes' and the Church's response to the barbarian invasions, and the collapse of the Roman Empire. Other relevant material covered includes: the role of monasticism and missionary work, the Ecumenical Councils, Church life during this time of challenge, and the teachings about Mary. The life and work of three Fathers are presented next: Quodvultdeus, Pope Leo, and Bede. At the end of the chapter, there is a comparison of writings for this period. Chapter five is the final summary of the Fathers' biblical exegesis; Mary's role in Systematic Theology: Theology, Christology, Soteriology, and Ecclesiology; Mary's role in Practical Theology, through biblical commentaries, doctrinal treatises, pastoral exhortations, and in defense of the faith; a portrait of Mary according to the Marian Anthropological model: the historic life of Mary, Mary as a spiritual subject, Mary as a theological person, and last, the universal significance of Mary; and a summary of the Marian Doctrine developed throughout the period. lll Guidelines 1. The Chicago Manual ofStyle is the primary guide for the composition of this thesis (15th edition, Chicago, Ill.: University of Chicago Press, 2003 ). 2. Two exceptions a. ibid is not used. The method used is as follows: there will be a complete footnote the first time the source is referenced; if the reference is repeated, the word "Hereafter," is added along with how it will appear in the following citations; "Hereafter" includes the author's last name, abbreviated book title or an abbreviated article title. For example, Agostino Trape, "Augustine of Hippo," Encyclopedia ofthe Early Church (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1992), 97-98. Hereafter: Trape, "Augustine," Encyclopedia. b. There are footnotes that refer to the text and discussion of material in the thesis; these are introduced in the following way, "Refer to the pages indicated in this thesis for discussion of Mary's titles as Mother of God. See Hilary, 69 and 177, Ambrose, 82 and 177, Maximus, 103 and 177, and Paulinus, 113 and 177. The first page number refers to the page where the primary text is given and the second number refers to the discussion or integration of the information. 3. The capitalization of pronouns follows the primary source. 4. The date convention reflects the primary source, for example, Roman numeral or Arabic. 5. Quotations a. A complete quotation will be followed by the regular footnote information. b. If the quotation is incomplete or the information paraphrased or just referenced, the word, "See" will be entered before the regular footnote information. iv Chapter 1 Purpose, Scope, Structure, and Method 1.1 Introduction There are few citations referring to Mary at the Wedding Feast at Cana in the writings of the Latin Fathers; 1 however they are of great importance and reveal profound mysteries about the love of God and his salvation plan for all humanity. The writings about Mary that do exist have special significance, given the needs of the nascent Church at the time of the Fathers. "They had to establish and set forth in detail the primary truths of Christian revelation, on the Nature of God, His Unity of Being and Trinity of Persons; the Incarnation and Divinity of the Word; the Personality of the Holy Ghost; the Unity and Catholicity of Christ's Church; the Communion of Saints, the doctrines of original sin, and grace.