Tradition and Innovation: Baptismal Rite and Mystagogy in Theodore of Mopsuestia and Narsai of Nisibis

Erscheinungsjahr 2018
ISBN: 978-90-04-37785-1
Verlag: Brill

Buch, Englisch, Band 149, 418 Seiten, Format (B × H): 160 mm x 239 mm, Gewicht: 748 g

Reihe: Vigiliae Christianae, Suppleme

In Tradition and Innovation, Nathan Witkamp convincingly argues that Narsai of Nisibis’ (d. ca. 503) baptismal rite and mystagogy, as portrayed in his Liturgical Homilies 21-22, are much less dependent on Theodore of Mopsuestia (ca. 350-ca. 428) than scholars have previously supposed. Narsai’s baptismal rite turns out to represent a particular East Syrian liturgical tradition, independent of Theodore. In his mystagogy, Narsai uses Theodore’s Baptismal Homilies 1-3 as just one source among others to create the artwork he desires. This detailed comparative study contributes to our understanding of rite and mystagogy in Theodore and Narsai within the broader early Syrian context, as well as to the reception of Theodore by Narsai and the East Syrian Church.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Witkamp, Nathan

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Christentum/Christliche Theologie Allgemein

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Preface
Glossary
Abbreviations
Quotations

Introduction

Part 1 Preliminary Issues: Terminology and Structure

1 Terminology
1.1 Introduction
1.2 ‘Baptism’
1.3 ‘Mystery/ies’
1.4 ‘Initiation’ and ‘Baptismal Rite’

2 The Structure of the Rite
2.1 Theodore of Mopsuestia
2.2 Narsai of Nisibis
2.3 Concluding Comparison

Part 2 Rituals Preceding the Sacrament

3 Examination, Sponsor, Enrolment
3.1 Theodore of Mopsuestia
3.2 Narsai of Nisibis
3.3 The Rituals Contextualised
3.4 The Rituals Compared
3.5 Conclusion

4 Deliverance from Sin and the Devil
4.1 Theodore of Mopsuestia
4.2 Narsai of Nisibis
4.3 The Rituals Contextualised
4.4 The Rituals Compared
4.5 Conclusion

5 Apotaxis and Syntaxis
5.1 Theodore of Mopsuestia
5.2 Narsai of Nisibis
5.3 The Rituals Contextualised
5.4 The Rituals Compared
5.5 Conclusion

Part 3 Rituals of the Sacrament

6 The Signing on the Forehead
6.1 Theodore of Mopsuestia
6.2 Narsai of Nisibis
6.3 The Rituals Contextualised
6.4 The Rituals Compared
6.5 Conclusion

7 Baptism
7.1 Theodore of Mopsuestia
7.2 Narsai of Nisibis
7.3 The Rituals Contextualised
7.4 The Rituals Compared
7.5 Conclusion

General Conclusion

Bibliography
Index

Über Autor(innen)

Nathan Witkamp, Ph.D. (2016), Evangelical Theological Faculty, Leuven/VU Amsterdam, is research fellow of the Netherlands Centre for Patristic Research. He has published several articles on the baptismal rites of Theodore of Mopsuestia and Narsai of Nisibis.