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THE BOUNDARIES of RELIGION: STRATEGIES for CHRISTIAN IDENTITY in LIGHT of ISLAM in MEDIEVAL SPAIN By

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THE BOUNDARIES of RELIGION: STRATEGIES for CHRISTIAN IDENTITY in LIGHT of ISLAM in MEDIEVAL SPAIN By THE BOUNDARIES OF RELIGION: STRATEGIES FOR CHRISTIAN IDENTITY IN LIGHT OF ISLAM IN MEDIEVAL SPAIN by CHARLES LOWELL TIESZEN A Thesis submitted to The University of Birmingham for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of Theology and Religion School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion The University of Birmingham March 2010 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. ABSTRACT This study argues that the use of reflected self-image as a tool for interpreting Christian anti-Muslim polemic allows such texts to be read for the self-image of their authors instead of the image of just those they attacked. This self-image is further described as the author’s assertion of Christian identity in light of Islam. As such, polemic becomes a set of boundaries authors offered to their communities, helping them to successfully navigate inter- religious living. Using this interpretive tool, two sets of medieval anti-Muslim polemic from Spain – four treatises from the third/ninth century and four from the fifth/eleventh-sixth/twelfth centuries – are analysed in order to discern how their authors defined themselves in light of Islam, and in turn, how they hoped their readers would distinguish themselves from Muslims. The research found differences in both the strategies deployed by the different sets of texts and the definitions of Christian identity that result from them. In the first case, Christian defamation of Islam is used to define Christians by their isolation from Muslims. In the second case, familiarity with Islam and Muslim culture reveals a definition of Christianity more supportive of the cultural proximity to Muslims even as Christians’ religious distinctiveness is emphasised. DEDICATION To the One, the Light of the heavens and the universe, who illumines my path as a lamp on the way. To family and cherished friends, both near and far, who join me on this path. To Santiago and María, guides I met whilst walking, whom I discovered already knew me. And to Sarah, a beaming reflection of the Light, who walks beside me on the way. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Though I am fully responsible for the study that follows, many thanks are due to those who so graciously supported me in my research and the formation of this thesis. My family consistently gives from what little they have, even taking an interest in subjects that might only be of peripheral importance to them if it were not for my pursuits. Without each of their efforts, I would be unable to dedicate myself to these tasks in the ways that I have. The University of Birmingham’s Department of Theology and Religion and especially its Centre for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations continues to have a profound impact upon my life, both intellectually and spiritually. Prof. David Thomas was a most gracious advisor and mentor who supervised my research with excellence. Dr. Jabal Buaben, Dr. Haifaa Jawad, and Dr. Sigvard von Sicard were also tremendous sources of information and inspiration for me. The city of Birmingham offered exceptional opportunities to put the lessons of research into practice with daily Christian-Muslim interaction. The Asbury Overseas House in particular was a true home and a small picture of a better world; many thanks to its staff and my fellow residents there. Many individuals who helped me with proofreading and translation deserve heartfelt appreciation as well. My thanks to Rima Barsoum, José Luis Garcia, Jr., Alexis Rose Weisenberg de Garcia, Ali Bahr Hosseini, Michelle Denise McCain, Shawn McCain, Homa H. Nazeri, Bob Simons, John and Mary Lou Tieszen, and Sarah Tieszen. It has become something of a cliché to thank one’s partner in works of this nature. Nevertheless, I want to genuinely recognise my wife, Sarah. She is an expert in her own right, and as such, offered helpful advice and correction at many points. When she finished her research, she worked tirelessly so that I could have the time I needed to complete this project. Above all, her presence is a testimony to the presence of God and I thank her. Finally, the influence of various Muslims, some of whom are mentioned above, is precious to me. For this reason, I hope they will not be disgraced by some of the regrettable medieval statements analysed in this study. In reviving them, may both Christians and Muslims be inspired to reconsider the boundaries between them so that authentic relationships might exist. Charles Tieszen Sacramento March 2010 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 1 Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 4 Sources................................................................................................................................ 10 Chapter Summary ............................................................................................................... 14 Definitions of Key Terms ................................................................................................... 16 Notes ................................................................................................................................... 18 PART I Chapter 1. CHRISTIANS UNDER ISLAM IN THIRD/NINTH CENTURY CÓRDOBA .......... 20 The Muslim Conquest of Spain .............................................................................. 20 Conversion and Dhimma Regulations in Islamic Spain ......................................... 23 Third/Ninth Century Cordoban Christian Communities ........................................ 34 Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 43 2. OUTLINING THE BOUNDARIES OF RELIGIOUS IDENTITY: THE POLEMIC OF EULOGIUS AND PAULUS ALVARUS AND ITS PURPOSE ..................................................................................................................... 45 Eulogius and His Writings ...................................................................................... 46 The Life of Eulogius ......................................................................................... 46 Eulogius and the Boundaries of Christian Identity ........................................... 48 The Documentum martyriale ............................................................................ 52 The Memoriale sanctorum ................................................................................ 59 Book I ......................................................................................................... 59 Book II ........................................................................................................ 64 Book III....................................................................................................... 68 The Liber apologeticus martyrum .................................................................... 69 Summary ........................................................................................................... 78 Alvarus and His Indiculus luminosus ..................................................................... 79 The Life of Alvarus ........................................................................................... 79 Alvarus and a Reminder of Eulogius’ Boundaries ........................................... 80 The Indiculus luminosus ................................................................................... 82 Light on Persecution ................................................................................... 83 Light on the Cordoban Martyrs’ Critics ..................................................... 87 Light on the Attraction of Islamic Culture ................................................. 89 Light on Muḥammad and Islam .................................................................. 92 Summary ................................................................................................... 102 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 103 3. EULOGIUS AND ALVARUS IN ISOLATION: STRATEGIES FOR DEFINING THIRD/NINTH CENTURY CORDOBAN CHRISTIANITY IN LIGHT OF ISLAM .................................................................. 107 Eulogius and Alvarus Opposed to Islam .............................................................. 108 Creating an Enemy ......................................................................................... 108 The Language of War in a Pursuit of Martyrdom .......................................... 112 Summary ......................................................................................................... 116 Eulogius and Alvarus and the Connections between Culture and Religion ......... 117 Ethnic Differences with Religious Ramifications .......................................... 118 Summary ........................................................................................................
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